Tag: 1931
1931 Model A Cabriolet 68B
Body-off restoration recently completed, museum quality. Loaded with accessories, the engine has been upgraded and tuned. Runs and drives excellently.
$35,000
Mattia Forgiarini, [email protected], (314) 728-0284, Ann Arbor, MI
Wanted – 1931 Model A Slant Window
A 1931 slant, in good condition. 0lder restoration ok.
Glen Wright, [email protected], (918) 285-6161, Cushing Oklahoma
Wanted – Rear Springs for 1931 Coupe
I’m looking for a set for my ’31 Coupe.
Jerry Johnson, [email protected], (361) 230-5151, Liberty, Texas
1931 Model A Roadster
The auction for this 1931 Ford Model A Roadster is currently live on Hagerty Marketplace, ending on February 2nd at 3:00PM EST. For additional information and pictures, please check out the following link:
https://www.hagerty.com/marketplace/auction/7G494CLuL5mK68EAnMa3mK
Donnie Gould, (954) 6470779, [email protected],
Fallbrook, California
1931 82B W/B Budd Cab
Steel Top, Wide Bed, Indented Firewall (early), 39-48 Hydraulic Brakes, Ford V8 Transmission, completely Restored from an original truck, Runs and Drives like new, More pictures coming at next sunny day, Will take to the Turlock Swap meet if still available. Drive it home.
$18,000
Louis Wilner, [email protected], (530) 519-8573, Durham
1931 Ford Model A Roadster Deluxe 40-B with Rumble Seat
ALL STEEL! Older Off Frame Restoration. Detailed Chassis. Excellent. Finished in beige with black fenders and Black Pinstripe. Brown Leatherette Interior and Rumble Seat. Tan Cloth Convertible Top with Boot and Side Curtains. Powered by Ford’s 200 cubic inch flathead 4-cylinder engine which was rated at 40 horsepower. Three Speed manual transmission. Ford Script Step Plates. Wheel Spoke Trim. Quail Mascot. Wind Wings. Door Pockets. Cowl Lamps. Rumble Seat. Trunk Rack. Vacuum Windshield Wiper. Side Mirrors. Wide White Wall Tires. Rear Mounted Spare Tire. Modern Distributer plate, recent Points/plugs service. Auto fuel shut off. Steering box rebuilt. Excellent Automobile for club events and touring. Ready to Drive, Show and Enjoy.
$27,000
Walter Ricks, (407) 448-6150, [email protected], Belle Isle
1931 Murray Town Sedan
Straight Window. Black with green pinstripe. Engine rebuilt by Schwalm’s. New LeBaron Green Mohair with new carpets, seat springs and padding. Brakes relined, numerous new parts. Body very nice. Nu-Rex Guages. Leak less Water Pump. Runs, Drives and Stops like new.
$18,500
David Crockett, [email protected], (443) 883-5563, Okland, Western Maryland
Late 1931 Tudor Sedan
Barn find. Never been restored. Runs fair. Needs tuning up. Solid body. Fenders have been patched but solid.
$10,500 OBO
Doug Roberts, (336)-667-2378, N. Wilkesboro, NC
Worth the Wait
1931 Roadster Restoration Takes 37 Years
By Karsen Palmer Price
Growing up with a body man as a father, my sister and I grew up watching cars come and go at our South Charlotte home. My father, Claude, worked by day for Toyota and by night for himself. He could fix anything, from totaled cars to rusty antiques, but he never kept anything for long.
One car never went on the chopping block — the restored 1930 Ford Model A Tudor Sedan that belonged to my grandfather. The car was like a member of the family. However, as most Model A lovers can attest, “You can’t have just one,” Claude says.
A member of the Queen City Model A Ford Club since 1973, Claude’s dream was to build a Roadster, “because they looked neat.” In 1976, fellow Club member Reid Robinson told him about two Roadster bodies that were for sale nearby. My dad appraised them, quickly realizing one was in better shape than the other. He bought both for $350, then stored the good body in my grandmother’s garage. He repaired the other and sold it for $700.
Over the next 30 years, Claude collected Roadster parts. The family joke was that he had an entire car stored in the attic!
In August 2007, at 62 years old, my father started on his dream project. “I decided I wasn’t getting any younger,” he jokes.
By this time, the good body he’d bought in ‘76 wasn’t so good. Every panel needed to be replaced or repaired, including the floor pans and rails. “I sandblasted the body and started cutting,” he says.
But then came a roadblock. In early 2008, Claude was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer and had a radical surgery. He was out of work for six weeks – the longest hiatus of his life. We weren’t sure he would live long enough to complete his dream build. He started back on the project that summer with a renewed focus.
In 2009, my dad decided to find out if the engine that had been sitting for 33 years would crank. My mom, Beth, and I watched as he hooked up a lawnmower gas tank to the engine, installed a battery, and turned the ignition switch. It ran like a champ! Mom put a video of the engine running – and my dad dancing happily – on YouTube.
Still working full-time, Claude devoted every extra minute to the Roadster. His grandson, Zach, and granddaughter, Peyton, helped with the car on weekends while visiting “Nana and Poopaw.” They learned to do light sanding and some assembly. I spot welded a quarter patch panel with my dad watching on, and my sister helped get the running gear in the garage, plus turned her hand to sanding. My mom photographed the car’s transformation along the way, helped with nuts and bolts work, and gracefully accepted being a “Roadster widow.”
When the body was ready, my dad took it to Town and Country Toyota, and asked painter Scott Williams to do the honors. The car was painted Bronson Yellow with Seal Brown trim, with orange wheels and pinstripe. Shue’s Auto Top and Trip installed the upholstery kit. Then came the installation of body to chassis.
In 2013, the Roadster finally was finished – 37 years after the first part was bought. The finished product contains parts from 21 different Model As, including an original 1931 N.C. license plate.
In 2014, my parents took the Roadster on its first overnight trip to Hendersonville, N.C. The car has since been driven all over North and South Carolina, and won second place at an AACA show at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Sadly, my parents only had four years to enjoy the Roadster together. My mom died unexpectedly in 2017 from rare uterine cancer. Today, the Roadster is a cheerful spot in my dad’s garage, residing comfortably beside the Model A Sedan. And I can happy say that, as of this writing, my dad hasn’t decided to sell it … yet!