1930 Model A Roadster (What to Look For)

Okay so I have had my 1956 Ford for three years not and want a bit of a change. I wanted something pre- '55 either an early style kustom or a hot rod. I am on a tight budget and don't have the space, or money for two cars right now. So I listed my Ford for sale.

Recently I found this '30 Roadster that has some hot rod history. It was built in the 1950's and street raced and drag raced in Hamilton, On. The owner doesn't seem to know too much about cars other than it has some sort of front end "problem" which is why he is currently not driving it. He stated that the motor runs great and that the brakes are good.

I must admit I am a little new to hot rods so I'm not 100% sure what to look for in terms of the front-end "problem" so I am bringing bgbdlinc and davesvintage along with me as they have more knowledge about this stuff than I do.

I have a lot invested in my car and I just don't want to get the shaft on this deal. Is there anything else you guys could think of to look for in a roadster that was built in the '50s as far as problems goes?

Thanks!

Here is my beater...



And here is the car in question...




Forgot to add the motor is a 1955 272 Y-Block with 312 heads. The current owner of the Model A doesn't seem to know what frame it has or what suspension just the motor. Thanks!

 

Probably bumpsteer or deathwobble.

You're smart enough around cars to know whats good craftsmanship or not.

You do have another Daily car, right?

Also my thoughts are. Keep your car. You'll end up tearing that roadster all the way apart. at first glance. to big turn offs to me.

Diamond plate. Rear wheels not centered.

 

I own and love Model A's but in this case I would keep the '56. If you go for the Model A be sure to check to paper work and look at the VIN on the frame/door jam and check with your insurance company to see what their rate would be and if they would handle it.

Charlie Stephens

 

Well, the main thing to look for problem wise in Model A bodies is rust out in the bottoms of the cowls. It looks like they are cut out on a severe angle which looks pretty bad.
Roadster doors rust out bad at the bottom also, and the diamond plate (groan) covering the inner door structure may be hiding some problems. That body is channeled over the frame, and by the looks of the other work, the floor may be pretty butchered.

The next major thing to go wrong with a Model A build is the person building it having bad taste. It looks like this is present in this build also with the spray painted hubcaps and the rear end being in the absolute wrong place. Something seems strange on top of the rear quarters around the back of the seat but I can't see if that is just upholstery.

I would p*** if I was you.

 

eventually you will have a beter car than the more door, but it will take some serious cash
just make sure the frame isnt too butchered....if it is you will be starting over from scrach and taking a lot more time
tk

 

There is about $4000 to maybe $7000 wroth of parts max. in that pile of parts guessing on the very high side,the history is zip with out a ton of info. .IMHOP! It has been in the care a fool for no telling how long that thinks rat **** rods are,O never mind! Made to look like a roadster yes but not very well. The front end may shake bad cuz of many things,but first is over size tires that are to much wate beside looking bad and likely has no panhard bar for front axle,ect..actuly that the EZist fix,it the rest of car needs lots.
No matter what ,you would need to do a lot of changes to fix what is wrong in just photos alone,no telling about stuff not seen. The parts could make a nice rod,it's a ways and many $ from that right now

 

Thanks guys! Could I maybe ask him for some money on top of the trade. How much would you ask for?

 

You might benefit...from spending time looking over some roadster builds, and current projects by crafters who know their art.
Since you are already in love w/the idea of trading your Ford...take some time,
because you are about to learn the hard way.
She's in need of a complete going through.

 

i am digging this new trend of people willing to trade nice cars for complete pieces of ****. gives me hope that i may stumble into a good deal someday.

 

I about fell out of my chair when I realized you are entertianing the idea of trading your beautiful 56 for that Model A. Don't get me wrong, I love Model A's as I own one myself. However, your 56 is far nicer than that roadster. You would be screwing yourself. My 2 cents...
A) Sell your 56 out right to someone for cash, then look for another hot rod.
or
B) keep that cool 56 and enjoy it.

 

I don't think getting a little bit of cash also will help the headache you have later at how hard it will be to bring that car back to being cool.

 

The roadster plus $15k for the 56 is my vote.

 

It is hard to tell from a couple of pictures but from what I see I would just walk away from the deal. You should be able to find a better place to start for a lot less than the value of your '56.

Charlie Stephens

 

Being a person that owns a few A's, including one with some history. I recommend you stick with your Ford. You will be getting a major headache and losing a big pile of time and money with all the back stepping and correcting you would have to do to get that car right. Also if you have to rely on anyone else to help you get the roadster to where you want it, you may have even longer to wait.

If you break it down in what the car will need, its going to run up that bill fast. From my view its going to need.
1. wheels and tires 1200+
2. interior 600+
3. firewall 200+
4. ch***is work to center the rear end... who knows whats going on there 1000's maybe
5. Headers/exhaust 300+
6. everything to make it safe and reliable 500+

So potentially you could be into the car for 4-6 grand before you even think of paint or custom touches. I would relax on wanting something else, focus on figuring out exactly the car you want. DO rush in and sell something that's great to get something sub-par.

But then again, its your show, you are the ring leader.

 

Mitch. You only have one car - your 56. You know that car, as well as what is right with it and what still needs to be fixed.

You only drive your 56 in the spring, summer and fall, but you can drive it no matter the weather, sunny or rainy.

You're looking at trading your 56 for an A that is mechanically unknown, requires work, and is less functional as a daily driver (for you). Also, you have no garage or place to work on the A, as well as somewhat limited tools.

P*** on the A and keep your 56.


Posted from the open road.

 

The guys are giving you some good advice. Run from the deal, the roadster looks like a pile of junk, your 56 looks real nice. By the way I worked in a Ford dealer ship in 56. I always like the 56 fords but not the 57's.

 

Just to paraphrase what you've been told, and to make it easy to understand, that Model A is a pile of junk, plain and simple. I wouldn't trade your car for ten of them.

 

I know that car. I almost bought it not long ago when it was still a large pile of parts. It had an engine fire at some point. It was an old street rod in the 60's if that can be considered history. Someone put it back together very recently. It's channeled over an original deuce frame that's been Z'd in the rear...

 

One item that hasn't been brought up, how comfortable is it to ride in? One of the nicest looking street rods I have ever seen was a channeled '32 roadster. One quick ride for a beer run made me realize that I would never want to own a car like it (unless I just wanted to park it in the driveway and look at it).

Charlie Stephens

 

By all appearances there seems to be a number of issues with that roadster that are a little hinky. All are repairable, but at what cost? Buy it outright if you can and continue to enjoy your '56 while you wrench on the roadster as you're going to be at it for a spell.

 

Your car is not a "beater". Don't give in to wanting to own a roadster or Hotrod. Many to choose from out there.

 

WOW! All I can say is you guys were RIGHT (as always). I picked up davesvintage and bgbdlinc was going to meet us there. I screwed up (as usual I'm horrible at directions) and kept bgbdlinc waiting 47 minutes and he had to bail out. I am really RELLY sorry bgbdlinc I owe you two dinners now let me know the time and place! I ****ed up and I am sorry!

Anyways davesvintage is one of the most knowledgeable car guys I know. He has built it all, driven it all, and appraised it all. After four hours of driving into the middle of but-**** no where we arrived. davesvintage walked right up to it and looked at me and said "let's go". It was THAT bad. He told me in all of his years he has NEVER seen a car that bad. And he was being 100% honest. This was a coupe that had a horrible roadster conversion. Every weld on the car was beyond ****ed. Everything was welded on crocked and the geometry was WAY off. It had bits of a Model A frame but most of it was a late model truck frame that was bent and ****ed. Every inch of the body was ruined. When you think a car is sort of bad in a few pictures you have no idea. davesvintage said he wouldn't trade a bicycle for it lol.

Anyways davesvintage and I had a great time swapping old hot rod stories and grabbing some cheap dinner at a mom and pop burger joint. It was a fun day to shoot the **** with davesvintage, but never again will I even consider that car. If you're in Ontario be aware.

I learnt my lesson here today guys, always listen to you're fellow HAMBers

 

Excellent job on taking someone with you.
That is a real piece of ****....

 

You have NO IDEA I'm not even joking. I really hope no one buys it as it is really really unsafe. I will admit I am not as smart as other people about bot rods which is why I brought others along. But even I could tell this thing was scary as hell

 

What do you think you could get out of your 56?

 

Money wise I'm not sure. My car looks mint in the pictures, but pictures lie. My car has it's fair share of problems. But it is super reliable so I will just keep flogging it in the meantime.

 

Couple guys on the HAMB have some Shoebox's and a '46 I am hoping to trade for but I got rearended a while back and I have to get the damage fixed through insurance first.

 

Nothing like a good story, with a harmless conclusion to it!
Keep eyes open, the right one comes along Mr. D.

 

Thanks man!

 

Good luck I feel for ya as I was in the same boat..mine was a first time build welds are pretty straight but **** and lots else to do..but I bought it as a learning tool so for that its good. Spent months on kijiji