Projects What can you tell me about 1931 Fords?

Because my neighbor is getting one shipped to her house and wants me to bring it back to life for her! Long story short, is the car was her fathers, and her grandfathers before that. I got a new engine sometime in the 50s, go rebuilt , run for a short time (like one hour) and then parked until now. Literally 55+ years. So things I would like to know seeing the oldest car I have worked on is my 1956 Cadillac:

1. Where is the best place to get parts for this car?
2. Where is the best place to get info on the car?
3. Does anyone know a website that is specifically dedicated to this era Ford?
4. And for fun, what would you do with this car?

I plan to take the "bringing back to life" slow and methodically. First engine, then trans, then brakes, then body, then interior etc etc. Below is the only pic I have, so let me know what you think!~

 

Model A for sure. You can go to MAFCA.com for info on the car. Can't see the front but I'm guessing it is a '30 standard coupe.

 

2. http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3
3. http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3
4. I'd get it running and drive it like it is.

 

Looks like it has one piece splash aprons, may be a 1931. Post your questions on the Ford Barn as well. Your plans sould like good ones, one step at a time. Car looks too nice to take apart, just get it safe to drive. Bob

 

Cool!

 

That looks like a great start to whatever she wants to do with it.

 

W

When I look at the car and see one piece splash aprons I think it is a '31 standard coupe. What are you looking at to make you think it is a '30? As far as sites go: fordbarn.com, ahooga.com and HAMB in that order ***uming you intend to keep it mostly original (which is what I ***ume your neighbor would want). Check out some local Model A clubs. The national clubs are at mafca.com and modelaford.org and they list the local chapters. Leave it a standard, it is slightly less expensive to restore/or just fix up and will attract more attention as most of the standards became "deluxe" when restored.

Charlie Stephens

 

There is of course a right way and a wrong way to wake it up. After a 55 year nap, it will require finesse.
study up before you do anything. Tim

 

That's a 31 coupe.

First thing you'll want to know is that you don't need to refer to it as a "5 window coupe", as all model a coupes were 5 windows.

There are a million resources for model a information. Here and the ford barn site are going to be a good start.

What would "I" do to it? HOT ROD.

 

Ya, missed the aprons...I agree, possibly '31 std coupe.

 

Been posted 2 1/2 hours and NO one has mentioned chopping it?! Man, you guys are slippin'.

 

Jeez, what a nice start for a restoration!
Definitely a 1931 (one piece splash aprons).
FordBarn.com would be a good source of info. Also the Model A Ford Club of America (MAFCA) forum.

 

chop it !

 

As above. There is probably no car in the world with more available information than the Model A. Stock, modified or hotrodded, these are great cars and parts are available for anything you choose to do at prices well below those for Fords of later years.

Don't do anything at first except read. Read the history of the model A, lurk on the FordBarn and learn about the car. Then, before you do anything, make sure you own it and that the ***le is in order. Then, get it insured. Then start to work.

 

buy a book or two or three or four like most do....or maybe it will come with some....or join the or FordBarn.....aftermarket stuff is out there for tune up stuff and more.....the Decatur swap meet next month will have vendors with new stuff....

 

Good to know parts are readily available!

 

Nice thing about these is the simplicity of the mechanics.If you're doing it over stock ( with a hot banger and a 3" chop- sorry I had to), there's a couple of books by Les Anderson that are really good and have lots of pictures with the explanations of " how to". I'm a carpenter, and I rebuilt a basket case roadster in about a year using those books, some friends help, and a lot of parts cleaner. It's impressive how simple they really are. When I first started working on the mechanical brakes I thought" you gotta be ****ting me!". BUT they work great! The car is a blast to shoot around the back roads in. Good luck with it- looks like a good start. ( and remember, MOST comments are well intended,but there is a certain degree of ball-busting here too! )

 

I'll be the devils advocate here and say 'Leave that car alone and recommend professional help for her to get this car going.' You obviously have no idea what to do with this car, and neither does she...sounds like Blind leading the Blind.

 

Haha, well put. Seems like a good car, me personally I'd be getting it running and driving as is..


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You took the thoughts right out of my head, Larry. When I read this thread I felt this thing has disaster written all over it. Sorry to be negative, but I honestly feel someone who is more familiar and skilled in these cars should be working on it. Both you and the car owner are going to end up frustrated.

It is going to take someone who can sit down with her and explain you just don't do simple things and bring a car in this condition back to life. There are lots of it's systems that will require time , money, and parts to make it right. Also, are you willing to take on a project that isn't yours and that might take many months or years to accomplish ?

Don

 

What can I tell you about 31 Ford 5 Window Coupes.....

They are awesome !
If it were mine I would definitely get it running and safe, and then drive it.

Then again I would Chop 3" out of it and drop a V8 into it, ditch the fenders and then drive it some more.

 

I realize that is takes time, money, and parts to bring this car back to life. I would think that is obvious! There is no time line on finishing, and I am certain it will take years, seeing we have to stay with in budget.
So how did the people who are more familiar and skilled with these cars become such? I am sure each had thier first Model A that they worked on and went from there, learning as they went. Do tell me how I obviously have no idea what to do with this car?
To everyone else, thanks for the support, links and comments. The car comes home to my neighbors place in about a week or so, so it should be fun! Ill be making a video and a separate projec thread on here so keep an eye out for it!

 

Agreed. I got my first Model A a few years ago and was clueless (most think I still am). I did the usual juice brakes, mild banger hop up, wheels and some suspension. Cleaned up the old paint and had a ton of fun with her.
With the help of the Hamb and research, you just take your time and come up with a clear direction for the car. Trust me, If I can figure it out, anyone can.
Have fun with it, think it all over and start wrenching.
BTW, I liked Snyders for my parts. Also got plenty of parts from swap meets and the Hamb cl***ified.

 

From reading your first post, it sounded like she was hiring you to bring the car back to life. If you are doing this for free in your spare time, then disregard my statement. No one wants to pay someone to learn as they go while working on their car, even if it is a friend.

 

Here is a direct quote from your initial post : "Below is the only pic I have, so let me know what you think! " Evidently, you only want to get opinions that you want to hear, not ones that might be contrary to that. We see that all the time on here.

All we who posted some cautionary thoughts are trying to do is get you to look at the big picture. Sure, it seems like fun now to be working on your neighbor's old car, but sometimes these things end up not so cool. This is a major undertaking (to do it right) for your OWN car, but to do it for someone else (who is not car savvy) can end up messy. You haven't even mentioned if you are getting paid for any of this, but if you aren't the fun will start wearing a little thin weeks or months down the road.

But you evidently are hell bent on doing this, so good luck.
Don

 

Hey, give the guy a break. We all gotta start somewhere. Me, it was a '31 A coupe. I was 13. That was 53 years ago. Still own the coupe. Rebuilding it once again as we speak. It's a great place to start.

 

It always happens,someone makes a comment,in this case Larry & Don and then the OP gets his drawers in a bunch.

These two well respected individuals offer their thoughts that question the OP's intent and then the **** starts.

In my way of thinking if the OP doesn't know the difference in a Model A and a Deuce he needs guidance. HRP

 

I totally understand your point. I wouldnt want to pay anyone to learn as they go either. That is for them to do on their own time and their own cars.

I am fine with opinions, and people expressing what they think, but to say don't even attempt it is kinda harsh I think. There is a kid who bought a 32 coupe out of the barn on here, and was like 18 or something like that, and everyone applauded him for getting that for his first car, do this and do that to it, but no one said, let someone else work on it for you, get a professional etc. I just am curious about the difference.

HRP,
I didn't think I got my drawers in a bunch really. Guess that is the problem with reading things on the internet honestly. You can really tell how things are meant and what real intents are. I was not trying to be rude to anyone, let alone people that know way more than me when it comes to these cars. Did I think it was a 32? Yeah, because that was what she told me. Have you guys taught me it isnt? yes, and I expect and look forward to you guys teaching me alot more about the car.

 

cool beans

 

Join a local Model A Ford Club. You could probably get some good advice on resurrecting the stock "A" components. The Decatur Swap Meet is September 13. It is put on by the Dallas Model A Club. You should be able to make some good contacts there. They have a website but I'm not sure of the web name. Fort Worth also has an active Model A Club.