For Sale: 1931 Ford Model A in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1931 Ford Model A Speedster

"By true definition from back in the day, the term speedster was a built up automobile that uses a handmade body or aftermarket body. Generally, the reason that speedsters have been accepted by the Model A and Model T clubs is because of the mindset that the bodies/sheetmetal were not being destroyed. Naturally there are exceptions but that was kinda the mindset." From a forum discussion on Fordbarn.com

For consignment, a 1931 Ford Model A Speedster with unknown mileage. Speedsters were stripped down and intended for racing and this one features a built 201ci up front.

Exterior
The Model T cowl is black and maintains the overall color theme to the car with its exposed black frame and 19-inch wire wheels that are also black. The radiator shell wears more of a brushed metal motif while headlight buckets maintain more of their polished metal shine. Speaking of shine, the cylindrical polished gas tank on back gleams brightly amongst the matte black axle and frame, topped by a tail light and higher, bigger brake light.

Interior
In this open platform, the interior is as much a part of the exterior as all the other parts. A pair of aluminum bucket seats with square edges and no padding occupy our exposed cabin. A fat man wood steering wheel perches on a narrow column that descends to a wooden dashboard with glossy wood housing a few gauges and choke/throttle levers. Planks live in the footwell under the pedals and some carpet pieces are in place around the floor mounted shifter and handbrake. No windshield, no seat belts, no radio, just pure man and machine!

Drivetrain
Here's where the rubber meets the road with a clean 201ci inline four cylinder augmented with a Beavertail balanced crank, forged rods, insert bearings, and a cast iron Lion 3 speed head. It's fueled via a Model B 1-barrel carburetor and rowed into motion via a 3-speed manual transmission with a V8 clutch. In back, power is greeted by 3.78 gearing.

Undercarriage
We find clean conditions underneath where mechanical drum brakes occupy all four corners and transverse leaf springs are up front and in the back. The single exhaust rolls straight through a stock style muffler and exits out back.

Drive-Ability
No frills, but all fun on this adult sized go cart with an historic bend. The engine delivers good power and a great sound, steering is crisp, and handling was tested at pedestrian speeds and deemed both adequate and fun. The short list of functions on board, including a singular front fog light, operate as they should and if we had a race car room, this would be in it, but onto the showroom floor it goes! 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.

If you're a race fan, here's an early iteration that demonstrates just how raw things were back in the day. They said that drivers were a different breed and two minutes behind the wheel of this showpiece ground proofs that for driver and occupants. I think we grew some new chest hair. Anyway, it's a fantastic, well sorted example and will surely grace the next garage it calls home.

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 listening. You can also watch on YouTube!