Technical Going to look at a 28 Model A Tudor tomorrow - any advice?

Bring CASH
CASH talks

 

Just left. It is everything the owner claimed it to be. Only issue is someone else is going to see it. All I can do is wait to see if the other potential buyer decides they want it.

 

Did you know that was an option before you left for the inspection run? Sounds like a hold out for more money BS by the seller. Bob

 

Ooohh ! Gheeez it does sound good if only one other person I'm rooting for you Ziggster . Does it drive if you put a crate or a bucket seat nailed down ? Just thinking how you getting it home ? Does the owner know this potential buyer ? I'll never understand collector car minds including my own lol have a good evening Ziggster

 

Yes. He’s a stand up guy. He’s just keeping his word which I can appreciate. It was an amazing experience to see up close a piece of engineering close to 100 years old. Learning all about the staring sequence, the nailed in pieces of wood, hand operated wiper, sight glass for the fuel level, wooden blocks supporting the body on the frame, etc. We shot the shit for hours afterwards. It was worth the 10 hr plus return trip. So many amazing people, so many great stories, so much passion. I just wish everyone in the world were as nice as everyone I’ve meet the last 4 years.

 

I did manage to squeeze in. It had the seats sans material. Should be no issue fitting comfortably if I move the seat back 5”-6”.

 

So??? Is it in your garage yet? How long before you have the option?

 

The other guy is supposed to see it today. He is trading another vehicle plus cash, but the trade car is not on the road, so the Tudor owner has to drive to see it. Not sure when/ if will decide to see it as it is around 1 hr from his place. Should know by Tuesday (I’m hoping). Been spending too much time looking into what’s needed to make it an AV8. Haha! Some of the prices are just crazy. US$600 for a trans support “kit”, US$3.4K for a complete juice brake “kit”, etc.

 

I’m 6’7” and love Model A’s. On my 28 Tudor I moved the original seats back 2 inches and I’m running a manual trans and I have room.

 

Sounds like you had a good trip ... one thing to remember when trying to buy original cars is do not let the owner you plan to modify it. If they have gone to the effort to keep a rust-free original car as original as possible then they may not want to sell it to be modified , be careful what you say what your plans are for the car. I know of a car that many people were after , original 39 deluxe 5w coupe , could of been sold many times , but owner waited to find a buyer who would not modify it. Car did get sold and sold again , but has still not been modified. For some owners the money is not as important as knowing the car will stay original ... just my 2 cents

 

Agree. He is fine with the V8 flathead swap, but no chop. I said I wouldn’t chop it and I won’t.

 

I think the title needs to match the number on the engine or the number on a tag attached to the door jam if it has been updated. The number on the frame is under the body and requires lifting the body to see it.

Charlie Stephens

 

"The number on the frame is under the body and requires lifting the body to see it."

. . . or stamping it yourself right across from the engine.

 

Agree. He showed me the title with the VIN and I have it on my deposit receipt. I never thought to check if it actually matches the vehicle. If the deal goes through, I will ask if he can somehow verify it matches. Doubt at this point he would pull a stunt like that, but I guess you never know. Better to be 100% certain.

 

Yes, that is the catch 22, but in some States, a total deal breaker

 

Also check that the Title matches the body type if possible. If it has a designation for body style check that code out. I bought a coupe once that came with a sedan title, something I found out when I went to rego it......

 

It's all been said.
Here is hope that you can complete the deal.
I have more than a few favorites,,, but Tudor A is in my top 3 picks for a romance.

 

Still no word yet...

 

What is the VIN number? That might shed some light on the situation. Replace a couple of numbers with "X" if you are concerned.

Charlie Stephens

 

CAS9X1X101.

 

CAS is a proper Canadian prefix, but the number should not be 9,xxx,xxx. 1932 four cylinder serial numbers were continuation of Model A numbers and started at 5,000,000.

 

Interesting. Definitely wrote down a 9, but is the “S” correct? Was wondering if it is a “5”. Deal is delayed to give other buyer more time to consider. Now deadline is Thursday morning. Seems to be getting weird now. I guess I’ll wait until Thursday and see. If offered to me then, will ask to confirm VIN, and do a numbers match if possible with engine. Just checked, and cannot do a VIN search since it is not 17 characters. May call Ontario Ministry of Transport to see what they say.

 

Haha! I want to buy it but he also said without going into details that if the deal goes to the Mustang owner, he now has two other Model A’s he can sell me. Another 28 Tudor that is complete = more $$$ (don’t want/need) and a 30 Coupe without drivetrain (could be interesting but no price mentioned)…

 

You Canadians are weird. They started 1928 stamping the motors C A -1 and continued numerically until starting 1930 production. Then they stamped them C A Q -1 thru 10,000. Then stamped C A W -1 thru 10,000. They continued changing the third letter every 10,00 units. What did the letters mean? Look at the top row of the letters on your keyboard from left to right. Called QWERT.

CAS prefix ended April 1931. Numbers should be between 1-10,000. Don't know what this means for your numbers.

Look here... https://www.mafca.com/data_eng_canada.html

 

So, by the numbers, there is no way the VIN as supplied is correct for a 1928 Canadian Model A?

 

Lots of possible explanations. 28 body fits on a 31 chassis. Motor could have been changed and they updated the number with DMV. Curious what the frame number is. If the title matches the frame ... no problem.

 

Agree. At a minimum title needs to match frame, but apparently it cannot be checked unless the body is removed. If the Ontario title/ownership he showed me is valid which I suspect is true, then I should have no issues obtaining same where I live in Quebec.
It is supposed to be all original. Says he purchased it from the grandson of the original owner, but 94 years is a long time and memories fade. I don’t really care if it is supposed to be a numbers matching vehicle as the engine/trans would be sold and eventually swapped for a V8 flathead.

 

If it is a valid Ontario ownership ( we do not have titles ) and is in the system , than you can pay $20.00 for used vehicle package & it will have all the info about the car. Regardless ensure the ownership is in the current sellers name. If you are planning to move to Ontario you will need signed Ownership , used vehicle package , an appraisal for the vehicle & a safety certificate if you want a plate for it. You can get an unfit permit for it as well until you are ready to put it on the road. Not sure of the process in Quebec but it is probably very similar.

 

Harbor Freight sells number stamps . . .

All inspectors weren't born when the car was built. Put the number that's supposed to be the one that's under the body in a more conspicuous place, like the top of the left frame rail. Rough and rust it up and away you go.