Vehicle Description
Why is the Model A the perfect starter hobby car? They're easy to
drive, affordable, parts are plentiful, they teach you about
driving and servicing an old car, they really are stylish, and
shall I go on? This 1931 Ford Model A "slant windshield" sedan is a
wonderful introduction to the world of old cars and offers a bunch
of upgrades designed to make touring a pleasure.
The slant windshield sedan is a 1931-only body style, easily
identified by its slanted windshield (no kidding) and lack of an
exterior visor like the earlier models. The effect is that this one
looks bigger and more upscale than its older siblings, and with the
two tone paint combination, the difference is striking. The colors
are factory correct Brewster Green and Kewanee Green, which give it
an understated and elegant look, particularly with the black
fenders which were standard across the board. The restoration is
several years old and has plenty of tour miles on it, so it's no
longer a show car, but it's still the kind of car that attracts
appreciative glances from bystanders and you'll never hesitate to
take it to a local cruise night or casual show. Ford's use of
stainless steel means the bright work remains in great condition,
and this one carries an optional side mount, wind wings, and a
grille guard, plus a jaunty luggage rack. And for safety, auxiliary
stop lights have been added to improve visibility on the road.
The burgundy fabric upholstery is typical of an older restoration
and is showing its age, but for a car that cost less than $700 when
it was new, the surroundings are pretty luxurious. The town sedan
offers room for five and these sedans make for wonderful tour cars
with their all-weather capabilities and comfort. The seats are
still comfortable so you can get in and start driving right away
and maybe plan on an upgrade some other time. Matching door panels
offer a cohesive look and the bright door hardware is in good shape
with no broken handles. The controls will be familiar to any Model
A owner, with a big hard rubber steering wheel and 3-speed manual
transmission that feels natural in your hands. The '31s are easy to
recognize with their round speedometers and more ornate instrument
panels, and as a car built for touring, this one includes both an
accessory temperature gauge and a turn signal setup attached to the
steering column.
Ford's 200 cubic inch four cylinder engine is all about torque, and
the over-achieving little machine makes a distinctive sound that's
been beloved for generations. It happily pulls the sedan around
without working too hard and cruises at 45 MPH, so it's not a
problem on modern surface streets. This one has years of reliable
service behind it, so it runs like a Model A should, and there's
plenty of evidence of recent maintenance. The engine is correctly
dressed in green engine enamel and with cloth wiring, a Zenith
carburetor, and those copper leads for the spark plugs, it looks
quite authentic. For touring, it's been upgraded with a 6-volt
alternator, oil filter, oversized cooling fan, and a log-style
manifold heater that's pretty good on those cool evenings. The
3-speed manual transmission shifts cleanly with a quick
double-clutch and the brakes are effective for a vehicle with
modest performance and light weight. 19-inch wheels were finished
in correct Apple Green and carry period-perfect wide whites.
You know we love Model As (who doesn't?) and this handsome sedan is
ready to teach you all about the joys of a bygone era. Call
today!