Vehicle Description
Why has the Model A been the perfect hobby car for decades? They're
easy to drive, affordable, parts are plentiful, they teach you
about driving and servicing an old car, they're very stylish, and
shall I go on? This 1931 Ford Model A 2-Door Sedan is a wonderful
introduction to the world of old antique cars and offers a bunch of
upgrades designed to make touring a pleasure.
First thing to notice is that this is an early-'31 model, as
evidenced by the upright (non-slanted) windshield and visor right
above it. The effect is a truly antique look that's big and upscale
(like the stagecoaches of old), and with the two-tone paint
combination, the curb appeal is quite striking. Despite Henry
Ford's earlier contention that 'any customer can have any color
that he wants, so long as it is black', the Model A's were offered
in several colors. That long list includes 20+ various shades of
green offered between '28-'31, and the two-tone combination adorned
over the straight body of this 2-door appears to be Kewanne Green
over Lawn Green (although several of the shades were so close on
the color spectrum, some might argue these particular labels).
Regardless of their exact names, the colors are indeed factory
correct, which give it an understated and elegant look,
particularly with the black fenders and running boards that were
standard across the model line. The restoration is several years
old and has plenty of tour miles on it, so it's no longer a show
car, but it's still the kind of car that attracts appreciative
glances from bystanders and you'll never hesitate to take it to a
local cruise night or casual show. Ford's use of stainless steel
means the bright work remains in good condition, and this one
carries an optional side mount, step plates, and a grille guard,
plus a jaunty luggage rack out back.
The greenish-tan fabric upholstery is typical of an older
restoration and is showing its age, but for a car that cost less
than $700 when it was new, the surroundings are pretty luxurious.
The 2-door sedan offers room for five and these sedans make for
wonderful tour cars with their all-weather capabilities and
comfort. The seats are still comfortable so you can get in and
start driving right away and maybe plan on an upgrade some other
time. Beige door panels offer a cohesive look and the bright door
hardware is in good shape with no broken handles. The controls will
be familiar to any Model A owner, with a big hard rubber steering
wheel and tall 3-speed manual transmission and wood knob that feels
natural in your hands. The '31s are easy to recognize with their
round speedometers and more ornate instrument panels, and as a car
built for touring, this one includes both an auxiliary gauge panel
and a turn signal setup attached to the steering column.
Ford's 200 cubic inch four cylinder engine is all about torque, and
the over-achieving little machine makes a distinctive sound that's
been beloved for generations. It happily pulls the sedan around
without working too hard and cruises at 45 MPH, so it's not a
problem on modern surface streets. This one has years of reliable
service behind it, so it runs like a Model A should, and there's
plenty of evidence of recent maintenance. The engine is correctly
dressed in green enamel and with some leftover cloth wiring, a
Zenith-style carburetor, and those copper leads for the spark
plugs, it looks quite authentic. For touring, it's been upgraded
with a bigger alternator, newer oil/fuel filters, and an oversized
and patriotic cooling fan. The 3-speed manual transmission shifts
cleanly with a quick double-clutch and the brakes are effective for
a vehicle with modest performance and light weight. 19-inch wheels
were finished in correct Tacoma Cream and carry period-perfect
blackwall Firestones.
You know we love Model As (who doesn't?) and this handsome 2-door
sedan is ready to teach you all about the joys of a bygone era.
Call today!