Vehicle Description
1931 Ford Model A Huckster Woody
From 1928 through 1931, nearly 5 million Model A Fords were
produced in approximately 15 different body configurations. The
1931 model sold for as low as $435.00 for a Roadster,
(approximately 22 cents a pound), to $625.00 for the Deluxe
Phaeton. What is a Ford Huckster? The "Huckster" was not a Ford
model, but rather a style of converted vehicle used in the early
part of the 20th century. Normally built by converting a pick-up
body, although most models could be used, the rear of this type of
vehicle was often fitted with a wood enclosure which had plenty of
space for wares. Normally, they had cloth or leather panels to
allow easy access to the rear portion of the vehicle which was
filled with goods for sale. In other words, this was a conversion
built expressly for peddlers, or hucksters, and used for delivering
small goods such as fruits, vegetables or what have you. This type
of Huckster conversion was prevalent on numerous vehicles during
the 1920s through the early 1940s.
For consignment, a beautifully completed 1931 Model A woody
huckster which was the beneficiary of a full restoration and having
started out as a 1931 coupe. This truck is looking authentic with
two tone exterior, wire wheels, beautifully installed and stained
wood sides, vinyl interior, and even carrying a bed load of barrels
and baskets along with a scale, all you need to do is scavenge up
some apples and start your new business. This hauler also works on
a 6-volt positive ground system, has a nicely restored
undercarriage, roll down sides for the cargo area and could be the
start of a new business.
Exterior
Looking the part of a traditional Model A up front with its tall
roofline, fenders and running boards, along with the essential
cowled hood, gloss black radiator surround with its standard flat
chrome topper flanked by chrome trimmed black encased head
lighting, and dual bar bumpers in front. The steel body is bathed
in shiny beige and down below is black for the fenders and running
boards. All chrome and even the fuel filler cap atop the cowl is
mirror polished. The wood framed windshield is a fixed position
unit and a black mirror hangs from the driver's outer windshield
frame. The sturdy oak doors with roll up canvas and plastic
"glass", (I see a new word added to my vocabulary...glastic!), all
show nicely and more wonderfully stained and distressed oak makes
up the passenger compartment and cargo area and incorporates canvas
roll up sides to show off your wares at market. Out back, a single
tail light is mounted on the driver's rear fender and a short fold
down oak tailgate and rear roll up canvas curtain bring up the tail
end of things. A note to the top, which is wrapped in vinyl in
black, as technology of the day would not allow for a large piece
of steel to be pressed into shape and frankly looks much better
than being finished simply in wood. Red 19-inch wire spoke wheels
are wrapped in slightly dry rotted rubber for that perfect 30's
look.
Interior
A tree's worth of oak covers most surfaces of the door panels with
the only deviation being the screw style door releases. Inside, a
long smooth black vinyl split bench seat runs door to door and does
come with the upper seat section. More wood makes up the vertical
surfaces of the interior and the headliner, all looking like new.
The full metal jacket dash fronts the bench and is painted body
matching beige around a center chromed "mask" style shiny
instrument cluster. A nice shiny original steering wheel is mounted
and extending proudly from this nice dash and textured vinyl in
black covers the wood and steel front floor. Moving rearward to the
cargo area, we note barrels, baskets and a Detecto scale all
fitting snugly into the well restored wood bed.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is a nicely restored 201ci 4-cylinder engine. It is
fed fuel by a 1-barrel carburetor and has a 3-speed manual
transmission on theback pushing power rearward to a 3.78 gear rear
axle.
Undercarriage
Extremely clean with some slight road dirt and light surface rust
on the frame, body hangers, and running boards, but these areas all
remain structurally solid and in good condition. Some wood is on
for the under floor pans and is all solid and painted black.
Transverse leaf springs are the suspension down below and
mechanical drum brakes show up also on all 4 corners.
Drive-Ability
This old gal fired right up running on all 4 cylinders, and as I
slipped it into gear, we were ready to take on the test track. It
has a nostalgic feel to the ride, nice smooth acceleration, a
wonderful sound, and good handling. Braking needs to be planned a
bit ahead, but works just fine and I made it to the local market
right on time, but nobody seemed to want to purchase anything but
the fries I acquired from the McDonald's drive-thru.
A nice older restoration with a fine mix of Ford steel and well
done oak all rust and rot free, all looking good in the two tone
paint along with the highlighting chrome. Amazingly clean
undercarriage, and definitely meant to be a shower as well as a
driver. Just do not plan any open cruising down the highway at more
than 40mph, you don't want your fruit falling out and watching your
profit roll to the roadside...
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
