pkhammer Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 I have been working for over a year helping liquidate the estate of a elderly friend and early Ford collector that passed away three years ago. In one of the sheds that was piled full of parts was a car under a car cover that was not for sale. The man's widow that I have been working with on the parts collection was simply and understandably very sentimental about the car which is a 1931 Model A Ford slant windshield Town Sedan. She and her husband had purchased the car in 1968 when she was 27 years old, she is 83 now. Her memories of the car go all the way back to her childhood when a local carpenter in her neighborhood owned the car. They enjoyed the car for many years but it has now been sitting for a while, she wasn't able to remember the last time it had been run. I had told her if she ever decided to sell the car, I'd be interested. Well, I got a call about two months ago and apparently the time had come to let it go. Me, my Wife and a couple of friends went this morning to wake up the car and pull it from it's slumbering place. It's pretty clean considering it has been carefully covered. The rodents of course had not left it alone. The seats look ok but the headliner had a half-dollar sized hole above the driver's seat. Worse news was waiting when I flipped down the sun visors, a fist sized hole above each one! I hate mice! Car is original paint, original interior, 28,954 original miles. A real time capsule that I am proud to now own! Now let's see if I can get it roadworthy once again! 35 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Good Deal, I am sure she was sad to see it go but at least she knows its going where it will be appreciated. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkhammer Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 The worst thing you can find on a Model A is a crusty beyond repair gas tank. No big deal on other cars but with a Model A, it's part of the body and not easily repaired. I'd rather find a rod hanging out of the side of the block than a crusty gas tank. Tires/tubes and going thru the fuel system will be first things on the list to tackle. Well actually, ridding the car of it's rodent inhabitants will be first. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ch1929 Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Nice! Thanks for the pictures and the story! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John348 Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Great find good luck 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalef62 Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Very nice! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angelfish Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Get it running and take the lady for a day trip. I bet she’d be happy to have one more ride in the old Model A. 6 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 1 hour ago, pkhammer said: The seats look ok but the headliner had a half-dollar sized hole above the driver's seat. Worse news was waiting when I flipped down the sun visors, a fist sized hole above each one! I hate mice! You are NOT alone! Craig 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkhammer Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 21 minutes ago, Angelfish said: Get it running and take the lady for a day trip. I bet she’d be happy to have one more ride in the old Model A. Excellent idea! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 Wonderful car! And great backstory! Congratulations! Hopefully you and yours can keep and enjoy it until in your 80s. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkhammer Posted March 15 Author Share Posted March 15 Thanks Wayne, that's a nice thought. Enjoying it into our 80s would be great but I don't think we'll get to enjoy it for 56 years like the previous owners though, I'll be 116!! 😐 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcarfudd Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 That's a wonderful find! After you evict the mice, I'd be inclined to leave the three holes. They're part of the car's story. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimacar Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 Great find,in the hands of great caretaker! Congrats… 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkhammer Posted March 16 Author Share Posted March 16 13 minutes ago, oldcarfudd said: That's a wonderful find! After you evict the mice, I'd be inclined to leave the three holes. They're part of the car's story. And I'm inclined to agree with you! Clean it up, fix what needs fixed to make it a solid driver and enjoy it. That's the plan. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 Great bodystyle for the Model A!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 2 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 Sweet. May it bring you many trouble free and happy miles. 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkhammer Posted March 16 Author Share Posted March 16 Now I've got to go pick up the '28 Roadster I made a deal on. 🤐 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 Trying to remember last time I saw a Virginia safety inspection sticker like that. I think it dates back to when it had to be done every six months. It's aggravating enough to find time to do it once a year, much less twice. But I'd daresay Virginia vehicles were probably in better shape in those days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhsprecher Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 Looks like my 28 roadster I took for a drive today. Looks like an early 28 from the hubcaps. Mine is a late 28, but a very fun car. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Wetherbee Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 Both great looking A’s, congrats on being the next caretaker for the sedan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkhammer Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 48 minutes ago, Mark Wetherbee said: Both great looking A’s, congrats on being the next caretaker for the sedan! Thanks! I'm anxious to get to work on it. The Roadster I mainly bought because it has obviously been neglected and I felt a strong urge to "rescue" it from it's rather poor storage shed. What a shame because it looks like it had a very nice restoration at one point. My plan for it when I get it home is to re-sell it to a good caretaker. I may do some work to it and get it running and driving again or maybe sell it as it is. I will offer it to my friends here on the forum first at basically the same $$ I have spent on it. My first priority will be finding the next good home for it, not making a profit. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 Hope they both clean up nicely for you!! Congrats and a double find! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 Looks like the perfect "get it running well and enjoy it" car! Is it "AR" early? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkhammer Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 Yes, they both would be good for that. I think the "AR" cars had the emergency brake lever to the left of the drivers left leg. This one has it right in front of the trans shifter. Out of the two, I plan to keep the '31 Sedan. It is very roomy and comfortable unlike the Roadster which I can barely get in and out of. I'll find a new home for the Roadster. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 Drat.. removing slant sedan from my "will see what he wants to do" list. A favorite A body style. 🤔 ☹️ 😊 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkhammer Posted March 24 Author Share Posted March 24 On 3/17/2024 at 7:35 PM, Steve_Mack_CT said: Drat.. removing slant sedan from my "will see what he wants to do" list. A favorite A body style. 🤔 ☹️ 😊 Sorry to disappoint but I think this one's a keeper! I managed to get unloaded with half-flat tires with the help of the Wifey. I was anxious to check the condition of the gas tank so I found the tool needed to remove the flame arrestor screen, got it out, and I was much relieved to see that the inside was totally clean! The inside of the tank looks like brand new as a matter of fact so kudos to the previous owner! Not sure what he did to prep the tank for storage but whatever it was, it worked wonders! I'm not going to bore you guys any further with this particular story but once I get on some new tires, tubes, battery, belts, hoses, plugs, points and a carburetor rebuild, I hope to be out enjoying this jewel! 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 A bit modern for my preferences, but a great looking car that should be enjoyed for many years to come! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 Looking great!! Don't blame you for a minute and glad to hear the tank is clean. The rest is pretty standard wake up/maintenance. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkhammer Posted March 31 Author Share Posted March 31 Hammer's home for wayward Model A Fords was out gathering up a new resident today. Was happy to get the poor ol' girl home without incident. The gang was treated to lunch at a nice restaurant as is standard protocol. This one has about the same needs as the Town Sedan to be roadworthy once again. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now