suchan

A sweet car! Your photos brought back memories of our migration with a 38-41, from San Jose to Dayton Nevada, over much of the same route. Thanks.

Your quest to find a soon-to-be-90-year-old car in great original condition is likely to be a long one. Model A valuations are pretty stable, so if you're looking to buy your first Model A, you might consider a non-original car to enjoy while you wait to find your dream car. You'll almost certainly be able to get most of your money back when you sell.

There was a discussion here last week about taking a '38 over the Sierras. It seems the consensus was that the car should be OK, but it would be prudent to bring carburetor parts needed to compensate for extreme altitude.

I drove my '38 Special extensively through the Sierras, including over 8500'-ish Carson Pass, and it never missed a beat, nor did I sense any loss of power. I think you're good to go.

That's a rare, highly desirable car, which I'm sure you know. Have you joined the Cadillac-Lasalle club? Attending their events and getting to know members might provide the lead you're looking for. It'd also help to advertise your quest on the Cadillac-Lasalle Club forum: http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?board=10.0 Good luck.

The UK car looks like a nice driver-quality coupe. It has the factory heavy-duty air cleaner. I can't imagine anyone going to the trouble of putting chrome on a heater, so it's likely aftermarket, but looks pretty much like a factory heater. The finishes aren't as nice, or any more authentic, as the blue car, but if it's mechanically sound and you get it for a good price, ideally $15k, or maybe $20K, you'll have fun with it. It'd be worth a flight to the UK to look at it if conversations with the owner are promising.

Good point. The same has been done with coupes, Special coupe body on a Century chassis.

Plus one. Actually, the new pic of the woodgrain looks pretty good (and authentic). You're correct, either a car has a spare in the trunk or fender-mounted spares. This car didn't originally have fender-mounted spares. As far as whether the car "would undoubtedly impress both admirers and concours judges, not only for its uncompromised level of factory correctness", a concours judge should spot the same issues we have, and it's diffcult to claim it was restored to original.

It'd be worthwhile to have a knowledgeable BCA member look the car over for you. If you're not a member, you should join. At that price, you might expect the car's been restored to original. It should have a rubber floor mat in front, not carpeting, the woodgrain doesn't look right, and I'm sure an experienced eye would catch much more. It's also not an original six-wheel car, if that matters. Six-wheel cars don't have a trunk shelf. As long as it's been for sale, the seller must not be in a mood to negotiate. If you've got the patience, wait for a better deal. The BCA magazine is a good place to look.

Super?

A perfect first old car. Just get in and drive!

Sounds like the passenger-side fender was crunched, a previous owner objected to the high price of an authentic welled fender, and found someone else's ill-informed handiwork. Please post pics of your re-working.

Parts car? Pretty well-concealed buckets and console. Looks like a bench seat to me. When you can buy a nice example for $15-20K, you'd have to have a good reason to tackle this project.

Go for the new rings. Spend more time driving your jewel rather than on your hands and knees polishing. You won't notice the shininess of the rings as much as you will how much better the wheels look.

I think there's a difference. Unless the seller in the Hemmings ad is withholding information, that seems to be an unrestored car, while the OP's car was restored to some extent many years ago, removing the cachet of originality and significant value. And, asking $47.5K doesn't mean getting it.

We just moved to the Seattle area from Dayton, where we lived for six years. About 400 miles from Dave in Vegas, but the speed limits are high there, and Nevadans tend to think of distances in hours traveled. I recognize the terrain in the previous owner's photos, but never saw the car around town, or at any show. A beautiful car, and a great buy. Congrats!

Looks like the body may have some issues.

With all the water staining in the interior, you wonder how it was stored, and the effect on the wood framing in the body. Certainly an expensive restoration, maybe very expensive.

Forgive me for stating the obvious, but it's got a 1931 radiator shell. One of those early '31's first registered in 1930? Good luck with the sale.

A nice car at a price some ask for yard art. It can't last long!

OP should check mafca.org, the Model A club forum. I'm not sure I agree about Model A's being fast; some of the fastest driving I've done was doing 55 mph in a '30 roadster I owned! The cars w/o adjustable seats are definitely snug for above average-sized folks.

If you re-did the brightwork and interior, then you'd have a $7500 car. Of course, it'd cost maybe $15K to get it there. Imperial62's got the right idea, get it for half the asking price, make it driveable, have some fun. A new set of Hirsch hubcaps would make a big difference.

I had a 38-41 that came with a set of 215-85/16 radials, the rough equivalent of 7.00-16's. They looked and worked great, the only problem being the tires would rub on the front fenders in sharp turns. 7.50's would be about an inch taller, so you may experience the same.

Beautiful car at a great price. Makes me wish I was six inches shorter!