MTFCA Forum

I traded in my T for a new Model A. The Ford dealer gave me a good price for my old T and a discount on the new car. I would have kept the T but I don't have the room.

1930 Briggs bodied 4 door. Nice! If you are not already on Fordbarn.com, they have an active Model A forum. I have not looked at the Facebook Model A pages, just T and Dodge Brothers.

Back around 1957 I bought a 31 A fordor with a Briggs body. The car could have been restored because the body was in good condition but the upholstery was not too good. However in those days there was a Wrecking yard called Ben's Auto Wrecking and he had a 31 Phaeton body without a chassis. Now remember I was in my teens and a fordor looked like dad or grandpa's car and the kids wanted either coupes or open cars. So I bought the body from the wrecking yard and took a cutting torch and a chisel and cut up the fordor body into small enough pieces that I could load up a small trailer and took them to the dump. Then I put on the phaeton body and restored the phaeton. Later I accidently sold the phaeton for $3,000 in 1973. I say accidently because I didn't think anyone would pay over a couple hundred for an A and I advertised for $3,000 and I actually got my asking price!

Cool....now you have those new-fangled 4-wheel brakes, which means you can run right up to an intersection and stop on a dime!

I am zealously biased. I would never have a Model A, let alone get rid of my
T to get one. I think you got ripped off !

Burger, I believe you're right. I see the "dealer" didn't even include hubcaps on that "new" car.

Norman, back in the 50's and 60's, my Uncle, Ben Pierceall owned a salvage yard in Quincy Illinois that specialized in T's and A's. I don't suppose that's who you are referring to?

I too have an itch to buy an A. But don't have room for two at this time.

JohnM wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 19, 2020 12:14 pm

Norman, back in the 50's and 60's, my Uncle, Ben Pierceall owned a salvage yard in Quincy Illinois that specialized in T's and A's. I don't suppose that's who you are referring to?

I too have an itch to buy an A. But don't have room for two at this time.

Me too...I want a 28/29 rumble seat coupe....black/black/black.....really bad. But it'l have to wait for now.

After spending so much time with T's, when I see an A it looks so curvy and modern!

I was after a T for a couple of years, but I found this Model A that I couldn’t pass up. 34 Model B 4-cyl, 35 wire wheels, 39 hydraulic brakes, few other Ford pieces from the 30s-50s to make it an early style restomod. It is not a hot rod!

I hardly have enough room for 1, but I finally brought a basket case T home this summer, and have pieces stuffed behind and in dad’s shed.

Moral of the story: you can always find more space. Deals on cars don’t last long, so seize the opportunity while you can!

That's cool Ryan....I love it.

I don't know about all this hoopola over a car that doesn't have a forward and reverse pedal... how is one supposed to drive it? Use that think sticking out of the floor like a Chevrolet? Arrrghhh... the horrors!

I will admit, tho, that new radiator design sure looks snazzy!

Congrats on the new buggy!!!

Yes, I agree. Project cars and basket cases are fine outdoors. But, to buy a nice collector car and park it outside, to me would be a crime. Not to mention bad for your investment. I don't think the prices of T's and A's are about to rocket to the moon.

Rusty,
If that A has the original mechanical brakes, the front wheels were not set up to slide the wheels, but to just slow them down. The rear wheels would lock completely, so you still need to be very careful to get the rears adjusted so they do not pull to one side and still leave following distance like you would with a T.
John M,
No that Ben was located in Sun Valley, California between Burbank and San Fernando north of Los Angeles. He had a deal with a used car dealer in Glendale that would put a Model A on the lot for a couple weeks and if it was not sold, It would go to Ben. Ben, then would give the dealer first pick on all the rare parts and accessories to come into the yard. Most of the scrap metal places would not take cars with wood parts in them so Ben just kept stacking them up and was a good source of parts or fixer upper cars. One time I actually took in two A's which would not run and traded for one which ran!
Norm

Congratulations! You will love your A. I have both an A and a few T’s and I like them all!

Neil - I have to "echo" what Dennis just said! I have a '29 Model A Briggs Town Sedan, plus several Model T's, and love them all! It seems that there are quite a few "old Ford folks" that own both Model T's and Model A's, but then there seem to be quite a few Model T guys that absolutely HATE Model A's as well as Model A guys that hate Model T's! Frankly, I really never understood that attitude. I actually think it's quite interesting to own at least one of each, as it is so interesting to be able to compare them, as well as to be able to discuss with interested folks, the many examples of engineering and design features that were pioneered with the Model T and also bled over to the Model A. And yes, I will agree with folks that can discuss Model T features that perhaps should have not died with the Model T! Again, that's just many ways that owning and driving both seems to lead to some very interesting comparisons and discussions. To be fair though, I'll admit that when some folks get to be my age (or even older), it can sometimes be a bit confusing when inadvertently trying to remember repair/restoration techniques that differ between T's & A's! Anyway, you'll enjoy the Model T, but I have to say, I'm sorry you felt the need to sell the Model T. I don't really have room for my Model A and four Model T's, but it's amazing how one is able to actually make the storage thing work anyway! One of mine is in the neighbor's carport that she doesn't use, and she loves having it there,....lucky for me! .....harold

.....oops,...."TYPO! Meant to say that you'll enjoy the Model A! (....not sure if it's "fat fingers" or "lame brain",....but probably a combination of both!

Neil,

Congratulations! Be careful and don't get any speeding tickets with all that extra horsepower.....

And if your T was a roadster etc.-- be very careful when you back up or change lanes in the Fordor Model A. It has some large blind spots -- even with the outside rear view mirrors.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off

Thanks all for the nice comments. It is indeed a blast to drive. I miss my T but am enjoying owning an A again. This is number 6. I sold all the others, unfortunately. First A was in high school, many moons ago. Back then it was just an old car. I traded an English Ford, Prefect, for it.

You kids today!!
Needing some diddlybob shift handle, when you could have a car with 3 pedals you can stomp on!!
Those shift levers are a menace! You should keep both hands on the wheel at all times. Except when you crank, of course!
Next you'll probably be putting one of those dad-blasted "Windshield Dagnabbit Wipers" on it!!!
And those "Four Wheel Brakes! Harrumph!! Next thing you know, they'll be putting a brake on the SPARE wheel, too!!

A little hint. The A does not have a synchronized transmission, so when you shift, you need to slow down the engine when shifting up and speed up the engine when shifting down. You eventually get used to it. Here is the hint: Put 600W gear oil in the transmission and it will smooth out your shifting.
Norm

Even a girl can drive a model A.

Recently sold our Huckster to make room for the 30 A Coupe my wife bought. (thanks MTFCA) Never driven an A before. It is truly amazing to me how many improvements Ford made from our 1927 to 1930. While we enjoy the A, nothing will ever replace the T community we have got to meet and be with. I could be wrong, but neither of us can imagine the A community could ever be what the T gang has become for us. It truly a great group of folks!
Long live the great model T and it’s owners!!!

"Improvements" ??? There is nothing IMPROVED on a Model A over a T !
This is like calling a demotion "moving up" !

Ha! I had my 1922 model T, thought I wanted an A and got a 1930 and sold the T. That lasted a year and I sold the A and bought back my old Model T!

I have a T, an A and a V8. In the past I've had Model Ys, Prefects, Populars, Thames van etc. All got their good and bad points, had fun with all of them.