Vehicle Description
This 1931 Ford Model A Special Delivery is a gorgeous pre-war truck
that underwent an exceptionally well-done, extensive restoration.
When Henry Ford's namesake company released the Model T, it was a
major sales success in large part due to its affordability and thus
attainability by ordinary, working folks. In fact, the Ford Model T
sold extremely well for nearly 20 years but by the end of the 1920s
Ford's competitors began to catch up and the T was nearing the end
of its run. While affordable, the Model T lacked the modern style
the public desired and the modern amenities found on Ford's
competitor's cars. In May of 1927, Ford announced that it would
stop producing the Model T and would replace the car with a brand
new one, the Model A. Formally introduced to the public on December
2, 1927, the Model A was the Ford Motor Company's latest and
greatest automobile and the Model T era officially came to a close.
From the late 20s into the early 30s the Model A dominated the
American automotive market, with the company producing nearly 3.5
million Model A cars and trucks in the 4 year production run. The
Model A was touted for its high style, updated amenities (such as 4
wheel brakes and its standard shift transmission), high number of
different body styles, and all for a reasonable price that many
folks could afford, even during one of the worst financial periods
in the world, the Great Depression. During the span of 1928-1931,
the Model A was offered in seemingly countless body styles, from
every day Tudors and Fordors, to Roadsters and Phaetons. The Model
A was also the commercial vehicle of choice for many businesses,
with Ford producing Model A Pickup Trucks, Panel Vans, and Delivery
Vehicles. One of the rarest commercial body styles available was
the Model 255-A Special Delivery. Built by the Baker-Rauling
Company from Cleveland, Ohio, the Special Delivery, also known as
the Natural Wood Panel Delivery, was essentially a Model A Station
Wagon without rear side windows, and sported a two door
configuration, as opposed to the Station Wagon's four doors. All
Special Deliveries were painted Manilla Brown with Black fenders,
with the wooden rear section finished with a natural wood look
finished in a high gloss spar varnish. Likewise, all of the Natural
Wood Panel Deliveries had identical black imitation leather
seating, wooden door panels, and fixed glass windows in the rear
barnyard doors. In total, Ford produced only 900 Model 255-A
Special Delivery trucks during the short span of 1930-1932. This
particular example comes to us from a collector who owned the truck
for the past 10 years after procuring it from a southern-based
collection. Under the hood on this '31 Model A Natural Wood Panel
Delivery is a 200.5 Cubic Inch L-Head Inline 4 cylinder engine fed
by a single barrel carburetor that together were said to have
produced 40 horsepower when new. The 201 Inline 4 is backed by a 3
speed manual transmission that is shifted using a floor mounted
shifter. Exhaust exits the Ford powerplant via a single exhaust
setup that generates a nice throaty sound out of the rear tailpipe.
This Model A Special Delivery comes equipped with several desirable
options. The driver's side outside mirror is a wonderful addition
since it makes backing into a tight parking space much easier.
Riding on a set of wide whitewall bias-ply tires, mounted on
painted wire wheels that are accented with chrome hubcaps, this
1931 Ford has gorgeous look, whether parked at the local car show
or cruising down the road. In addition, this Model A Special
Delivery comes with a matching sidemounted spare tire that further
elevates the exterior look of the truck. The upper steel portion of
the body consisting of the hood, cowl, and windshield frame has
been correctly refinished in beautiful Manilla Brown paint,
accented with black painted steel fenders. Originally built by the
Baker-Rauling Co., the wooden rear section has been beautifully and
meticulously refinished during the restoration, completing the
exterior look of this truck. Like the exterior, the interior of
this 1931 Ford Model A Special Delivery is absolutely stunning! The
front bench seat has been correctly reupholstered in beautiful
Black Cobra Cross Grain Imitation Leather. The wooden floor, black
rubber floor mat, painted dash, chrome instrument cluster, wooden
slat roof, inner wood paneling, and front and rear door panels, are
all in excellent condition and retain a nice stock appearance.
Instrumentation includes an 85 MPH speedometer, amp gauge, and fuel
gauge. Whether you're adding to your existing collection of Model A
cars and trucks or you're buying your very first pre-war classic
car, this 1931 Ford Model A Special Delivery would make an
excellent choice. Give Ellingson's a call today at
763-428-7337!
*200.5 Cu. In. L-Head Inline 4
*Single Barrel Carburetor
*3 Speed Manual Transmission
*Wide Whitewall Tires on Wire Wheels
*Wood Body by Baker-Rauling Co.
*Southern History
*1 of 900 Special Deliveries Produced
*Manilla Brown/Black/Wood Exterior
*Black Cobra Cross Grain Vinyl Bench Seat
*Sidemounted Spare Tire
*Stock Instrumentation
*Odometer Reads: 66 Miles
