The 68B Cabriolet is one of the most desirable body types among all the Ford Model A's built by Henry. A car for all seasons, it is considered the luxury model that offers the advantage of both a closed car with roll-up windows and a convertible top.
A Cabriolet is distinguished from a Roadster or Phaeton by the inclusion of glass windows that roll up and down. The Cabriolet is less sporty and considered more luxurious due to its ability to keep passengers out of bad weather while offering all the advantages of a fully convertible car. Only 11,801 were produced in 1931, making it one of the lowest production numbers for the Ford Model A series and one of the most luxurious.
This beautiful vehicle has undergone a body-off restoration recently completed. It has been restored to appear epoch-correct as a Model A touring-class car, yet it is not too far from becoming a purist original points car. The owner meticulously worked on this car for years, restoring it without sparing any time, details, or expenses on the project. Close attention has been paid to both the exterior and mechanical aspects of this car, making it truly usable on a regular basis.
The five-digit odometer shows 38k miles; however, the original mileage is unknown. The car is offered for sale by the private owner, who is reluctantly letting it go due to moving out of the county in the near future. It comes with a regular clean Michigan title in the name of the private seller.
Absolutely loaded with accessories including dual side spare tire mounts, side-view mirrors, rumble seat, dual taillights, cowl lights, running board side step plates, fold-down luggage rack with storage truck, and new whitewall tires. The engine has been upgraded and tuned, mechanically fitted, and runs and drives excellently. The car has literally been used as a daily driver for a few months. Many expensive add-ons and upgrades are featured with this classic car, so please read on...
Exterior
Bronson Yellow with Seal Brown belting and an Orange pinstripe paint scheme, paired with Vermillion Red wheels, is exactly what the original car would have looked like off Henry’s assembly line. As with all Model A's, the fenders and slash aprons are painted black. The 19″ wire-spoke wheels are powder-coated and mounted with new whitewall tires. Two matching spares are stored on the fender wells. A fold-down rear luggage rack, currently in use holding a large trunk, provides additional storage space.
Turn signal directional lights and blinkers are mounted within the dual taillights and cowl lights, maintaining the original look of the car.
Shiny chromed components include the radiator shell fronted by an interwoven stone guard, running board step plates, rumble seat steps, landau irons, headlights, cowl lights, taillights, door handles, hub caps, and bumpers. Antique license plate holders both in the front and rear, as well as a regular license plate holder in the rear, are also included.
The convertible top wooden bows manufactured by Classic Wood Products, and canvas by Classique Upholstery, are both new. An outdoor all-weather breathable vehicle cover in Coverking Mosom Plus material, custom-fitted specifically for this car, is also provided.
Interior
The Bronson Yellow dash is adorned by the centrally mounted mask-style instrument panel housing the original barrel-type speedometer, ammeter, fuel-level gauge, and odometer. The dash, windshield, windows, and A-pillars are adorned with beautiful burl lacquered woodgrain trim. A red pin striping follows the contours of the pressed steel dash and glove box area.
A comfortable brown leather vinyl upholstery envelops the driver and passenger in the single bench seat. Cowl panels, door panels, and package tray are covered in matching brown leather vinyl with stitched-in pouches for storage on both doors. A floor shifter and handbrake are present, along with the original steering wheel. The interiors are completed by tan carpet. Further appointments include a vacuum windshield wiper, dual on-dash carburation adjustment levels for adjustment of the dual updraft carburetor system from inside the vehicle, as well as many accessories listed below. The rumble seat is also upholstered in matching brown leather vinyl and accessible via two chromed step plates mounted in the rear quarter area.
Drivetrain
A 201ci L-head inline four-cylinder engine, paired with a Vortex Dual Updraft Manifold by Secrets of Speed Society and two original Zenith carburetors, gives the engine plenty of extra power for daily driving in modern traffic while maintaining the epoch-correct appearance. The engine has been recently refurbished and upgraded with freshly machined valve seats, as well as many new components including oversized stainless valves, adjustable valve tappets, Snyder’s 6:1 high-compression cast iron head, Burt’s touring grind camshaft, and laminated timing gear. Spark is provided by a modern-type points distributor rebuilt by Snyder’s with all new components, paired with a PerTronix Flame-Thrower coil. A premium Brassworks Extreme Touring radiator keeps the engine well cooled, preserved by an in-line Scott Drake Gano Coolant Filter. A Powermaster alternator provides power to the rebuilt 12V negative-ground electrical systems with a fully converted system including a 12V starter and all 12V auxiliaries. The engine is connected to the refurbished original three-speed manual transmission, with newly installed clutch and components, transmitting power to the powder-coated wheels mounting new tires. Hydraulic shock absorbers have been installed under the car for additional driving comfort. Braking is provided by four-wheel drums with original mechanical brakes upgraded with a Flathead Ted Deluxe brake floater kit. The underside view of this car shows typical road usage conditions, indicating the car is actually used regularly in the wintertime in Michigan.
Accessories
Some accessories have been added for safety, drivability, and general comfort for regular touring or daily driving. If undesired by the new owner, all the accessories are all easily removable without leaving a trace. These added-on accessories include tachometer, coolant water temperature gauge, oil pressure gauge, air-fuel ratio gauge, CB radio with a removable antenna mounted on the back of the vehicle, interior USB charging port, Bluetooth speaker, firewall insulator, battery disconnect master switch mounted inside on the seat front raiser, electrical fuses, and turn signal directional lights.
Conclusion
Transport yourself back to 1931 and imagine you are a stylish gentleman with some extra money to spend, in need of an automobile you can drive year-round. The Ford Cabriolet might cost you a little more, but it would fit the bill perfectly. This high-option extra is definitely one of the most luxurious Model A's that Ford made. The beautiful exterior color combination takes you back to a time when you thought everything in the auto world was painted black.
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