Vehicle Description
1929 Ford Model A Phaeton
"As a rare and wonderful variant in the evolution of the car,
phaetons and their convertible sedan cousins are highly valued
today. While phaetons are typically an open four door with no side
windows and a separate windshield, a convertible sedan is a later
iteration with an integral windshield and roll up windows. Phaetons
usually shared the separate windshield and posts, cowl, and front
doors of their roadster counterparts. To that, rear doors and a tub
were added, with the result becoming a phaeton." Hagerty.com, May
2018
For consignment, a 1929 Ford Model A Phaeton with a title verified
6,681 actual miles. Ford built 1.5 million cars in 1929 and of
them, just 48,818 were phaetons. Here we have a garage kept example
with restoration of the underside done in 2018 and some of the
exterior in 2025.
Exterior
Stunning Bonnie Gray graces the body panels of the car with its
light green undertones and dark green trim topping the doors,
adorned with yellow pinstripes that match the 21-inch wire wheels
wrapped in white wall tires. Chrome replaced polished nickel in
1929 and is apparent here in the grille shell, headlight buckets,
and ribbon bumpers. The winged motometer on top of the radiator is
like icing on the cake of this upright, stately car with its
folding black canvas top that is in superb condition. The body sits
atop a black base that is extended via wide wheel arches and a
running board which, along with the steel step plates, creates the
perfect contrast to the grayish green body. Imperfections included
crackling paint on those black fenders, unevenness in the gray
including some bubbling and scratch marks.
Interior
Mottled brown vinyl gives the smooth door panels some visual
texture and present cleanly on all four doors and on the bench
seats which are well cushioned and fully intact and now feature
seatbelts. A four spoke steering wheel fronts the Bonnie Gray dash
that houses the instrument cluster in the polished clover leaf
faceplate in the center. Footwells are walled with brown vinyl and
the floor is covered with a rubber mat atop which we find the
shifter and handbrake, and all are in clean condition.
Drivetrain
Driver quality conditions present on the engine behind the louvered
panels, in the form of surface rust and long gone paint. This is a
201ci inline 4 cylinder rated at 40 horsepower and fueled by a
1-barrel carburetor. It is mated to a 3-speed manual transmission
that sends power to the rear axle with 3.78 gears. Mechanical drum
brakes are found on all four wheels.
Undercarriage
A clinic of early American engineering, the underside presents as
open and clean, save for the oil on the pan and rear differential.
A simple single exhaust flows through an elongated stock style
muffler and terminates under the car. Suspension consists of
transverse leaf springs front and rear.
Drive-Ability
This nearly 100 year old car starts with the proper adjustment of
throttle and choke and rolls along as if leaving Alvin Swenson Ford
on Kensington Avenue, Philadelphia, 1929, (at the time, the largest
Ford dealership in the Northeast). She rolls along wonderfully and
puts out that telltale 20's exhaust note, unmistakable. All
functions, and there aren't many on this early car, operate as
intended. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions
were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee
these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
Model A enthusiasm shows no signs of waning, and Phaetons are among
some of the more desirable body styles. This one has been present
at several parades in past years and would surely be the seat of
honor for your town's mayor or better yet, local hero. Whatever
your intentions, you'll have the satisfaction of owning a fantastic
piece of American automotive history in wonderful condition.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
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