Vehicle Description
1931 Ford Model A Phaeton
Simplicity was the Phaeton's strength. As one of the lowest-priced
Fords, it was certainly basic, but the basic goodness of the Model
A design makes it special. In true late 1920's styling, a
convertible top, running boards, and 4 square doors, lend
themselves to "phaeton" meaning light and airy carriage or vintage
touring car.
For consignment, a Gibbons replica of the 1931 Ford Phaeton. With a
peppy Buick V6, TH350 3-speed automatic tranny, some marine
Naugahyde interior, stainless fasteners throughout and a powder
coated chassis this classic replica is ready for some serious head
turning, smile making, push back in your seat miles.
Exterior
A fiberglass Gibbons body, bathed in Tuxedo black which is the deep
end of the pool combines with Wescott fenders, a steel hood and
grille shell, and a very nice black canvas top to make this modded
rodded version of the Phaeton of yore. The original frame has been
retained and powder coated, and when all was put back together
careful attention to alignment and the use of all stainless steel
nuts, bolts, washers and screws was utilized. A near perfect
vertical ribbed stainless grille is framed by a black radiator
surround and flanked by chromed headlights held together with a
chromed bar which protects the grille. Below is a shiny mirror like
bumper grounding the curved fenders which swoop upward, melt into a
running board, and then into the rear fenders. A cowled hood,
shaved doors and a smooth rear quarter complete the sides, and
there are no faults to be seen. The rear of the car curves inward
then back outward for the rear tank, and is flanked by the downward
curving fenders with pointed oval vertical tail lights. Another
curved bumper, excellent I might add, is framing the car on the
bottom. Straw colored steel wheels with FORD-DELUXE chromed moon
caps are on all 4 corners.
Interior
A swing of the door and deep maroon Naugahyde reaches out for our
hand to beg for a touch, and it is smooth and supple to the touch.
A simple stitched panel provides the field to have the door handle
and armrest/pull. Look ma! no window, no window crank! Inside we
see tufted and buttoned tuck and roll low back buckets up front and
matching bench in the back. The Naugahyde just gleams in its deep
maroon jackets and is very inviting to have a sit for a bit.
Upfront, a banjo style steering wheel with its 3 chromed spokes and
black surround fronts a full black dash which has the instrument
panel planted firmly in the center of the black field. An elongated
oval which is machined aluminum with a swirl pattern, houses some
lights and white faced round chromed bezeled Auto-Meter gauges.
Below is a digital Sony AM/FM/CD player with a built-in equalizer.
A calm sea of red Mercedes Benz carpet floods the floors and is
just pristine and floats the Lokar small shaft shifter with a
maroon Naugahyde boot in the center. Round machined pedals add to
the look, and we are firmly planted into the 1930's.
Drivetrain
Don't be snookered by the smaller 3.8L V6 under the cowl, as every
part was machined by a sprint car builder, then carefully assembled
and blinged out to look just fab. And that's only the half of it,
performance is off the rails with this beauty. Topped by a single
2-barrel carburetor, backed by the TH350 automatic trans, and a
Ford 9-inch rear axle, lots of pent up torque can be released back
to the rear tires with this rodder.
Undercarriage
Nearly a work of automotive art is seen underneath, as powder
coating and attention to detail was paid to this area. An all new
chromed front rack and pinion steering and suspension is upfront
with Willwood front disc brakes. On back is a 4 link system and
drum brakes. Throughout the entire bottom end, it's hard to ignore
the totally stainless shiny exhaust on this car.
Drive-Ability
The V6 powered Ford lit right up and on the test track has a
surprising amount of power probably due to all the machining during
its build. The transmission shifted smoothly, had a smooth cruise
and steering was nice and tight. A test panic stop yielded a short
distance to accomplish this and was bias free. All was in perfect
working order.
A Gibbons body, all buttoned up frame and mechanicals. Definitely a
turn the key, crack a smile, and be on your merry way. And press
the accelerator for a larger smile!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.