MTFCA Forum

Recently we bought a '28 A Sport Coupe. I've already had thoughts about trading it for, or selling it and buying another Model T. We already have a '21 Touring so I'd like to have a different body style, maybe a closed car. I've found a '27 Tudor that is a pretty good looking, restored car. I really guess I would prefer a '24 or earlier though and the Tudor has a distributor, which I'm not really wild about either. I like to hear them coils a buzzin'. About to talk myself out of it.

If you already have a model T......then keep the model A and enjoy them both. I have both and enjoy each one in a different way.

Thom: Can you post a few pictures of your 28 Model A Cp ?

The A runs and drives well. I would probably never find another as good as it if I trade it. It is an older restoration. I don't know exactly how old. I bought it from a friend that had owned it for three years and only driven it five or six times. It is an early '28 as the brake lever is on the left, just inside the driver's door. I have seen no evidence of any patches having been welded into the body.
The head had a crack in it, or cracked soon after I got it, so I replaced it and someone had converted the distributor to use late model points and condenser. I bought original parts and converted back to stock Model A points and condenser. I despise that late model conversion in Model As.

You're asking I'm telling: don't trade. Keep the A.

Since you ask, one model t is fun to drive and its limitations can be more charming than anoying. But, although one model t is fun, two model t's are not necessarily twice as fun. The model a provides better driving features: all wheel brakes, 3 speed tranny with clutch, more room for driver and passesgers, etc. Nice to have the option to choose between the t or a depending on conditions of the day.

I have usually had a single model t for most of my life. For me, two model t's would be like having 2 wives. May sound good on paper, but in reality, its twice the time and expense, twice the problems and termoil, and you can really only enjoy one at a time. On the other hand, instead of two wives, I might prefer a wife and a dog.

I sold my Model A in 1978 to put a down payment on my garage (home included) when we got married. This allowed me to build a dozen cars mostly Model T's. I can't say I really miss the Model A but sometimes wish I had a speedier tour car.
I can't say what's right for you but I hope you will be happy with your choice 40 years later.
Rich

When we bought our first model T i was really disapointed it did not make the same sweet sound the model A engine makes! While i like the open soft ride of the 14 that self commencer on the A is nice for some of us old people.That looked to be a very nice A so even if i wanted another T i would still keep the A!! Bud.

That is exactly the car I want next. I keep offering Robert Weitzel a nice warm garage to store his (indefinitely) but for some reason, he won't take me up on the offer. If you were closer, I'd offer to "store" your car as well. The gas level might vary from day to day, but the car would always be spotless...

Jeff

That looks like a very good Model A and is one of the more desired models. It is better for road trips than a T. It is also worth more than the later T's. Unless you can find a very good brass T you should keep the A.
Norm

There is only ONE Ford to own ... a Model T. And don't be fooled, the Improved cars
are just Model A's too. I'd dump that "modern iron" and get a 25-earlier T ! There is
just something about early cars that the A lost.

It all boils down to what thrills you more as an object of desire. 50 years ago a Model A could still run the roads with modern traffic, while a T was markedly slower. Today both are equally problematic. Is an "A" less troublesome and more dependable than a T ? Of course it depends on which A and which T, but in the main, probably so. Model A is now over 90 years young, but in all fairness, the Model T was obsolete several years before production ended. It's a matter of "ambience" and what gives you the most joy, not a matter of practicality. My tastes are in line with Burger's, but each to his own !

"I would probably never find another as good as it if I trade it."

I think you already know what you're going to do.

Thom: That is a very nice looking Model A, thanks for posting the pictures. How much $$ do you want for your Model A, I wish you were closer to me in California, shipping costs so much $$ these days ?

That's a nice looking, desirable car.

For whatever my opinion is worth? (You must do what is right for you regardless of ANYBODY"S opinion!)
I bought a model A coupe almost fifty years ago, and drove it home. It was not nice enough (by a lot!) to keep it as it was, so I immediately took it apart and began restoration. I was on my way. Had my '29 Reo which I drove on tours, my first model T speedster was just on the road, and working on the A so I could tour with my model A friends. After about six months, I came to the realization that 1931 was just a bit too modern for my historic interests. So I sold the A and the Reo, and bought a 1925 Studebaker. Height of the roaring '20s, two wheel brakes, drum headlamps. I finished the cosmetic restoration someone else had begun on the solid original car, and enjoyed it very much! (Until medical bills forced its sale a few years later.)

For me? I need two (make that three?) model Ts. A speedster for runs and fast highway distances, an open factory body, a closed factory body, and at least one of the factory bodied cars must be brass era. If I had managed to keep my '16 center-door, I could get by with two?
And, I really do like non-Fords. So I always want to have at least one nickel and one brass non-Ford. That really isn't too much to ask for, is it? None of them need to be "high-buck" cars.

That is a beautiful model A! And it is still "roaring '20s"!
If it is such a good runner? How could you go wrong keeping it?

Warning

Right now you have 1 A and 1 T, if you get 2 of each before long they will procreate . . .

I have both a 1919 and a 1931 and like the differences in how they drive. At one time I owned 3 Model T’s but eventually slimmed down to one A and one T. I personally would keep the A!

I had my 22 T, sold it and bought a 1930 Model A. Didn’t like the way the seats hurt and turned around sold it and bought back my T. Of course I had to pay more to get it back! Moral of the story is don’t sell cars just keep them all and build a bigger garage.

Hello Thom, I have been trying all week to contact you to no avail, please contact me in reference to your Trade, and thank you.

Grady Puryear - jpuryear@wildblue.net

I get notification that I have a message from you, but no message content.

My message to you, which did not seem to get through, was a request that you email me to discuss the trade, and thanks - Grady

Have a 21 Center Door.