As with most things, there are hot rods that are done right. Many are simply an owner’s idea of what a car should look like, but some, like this 1931 Ford Model A tudor sedan, are fully operational cars that look great and work like they should. Bright red always looks great, the tudor body style is practical yet with a chopped top, looks like a true hot rod should, and the small block V8, automatic transmission, and cold A/C make it easy to drive just about anywhere. Oh, and there’s a very cool matching trailer that goes with it, so you’re fresh out of excuses why this car won’t work, because it’ll haul your whole family and all their gear, too!

Built in the early 2000s, this cool red Ford is just about right for the person who likes to drive. It isn’t a trailer queen, but it will look and feel right at home on just about any show field you’re going to attend. And with a timeless look, it seems to win fans everywhere it goes, especially with that trailer! Bright Lipstick Red paint is exactly right, not too orange and definitely not pink, so it grabs your attention right away. But even under scrutiny, it holds up. Bodywork is quite good with doors that close securely and great finish work on the panels so the reflections are clear and distortion-free. There are a few minor signs of use (it has perhaps 12,000 miles on the build) but it really looks dynamite in person. A few modifications make it stand out, most notably the 3-inch top chop, which was professionally done and blends in so well that you almost need a stock one to spot it. The hood is a rare steel Ford accessory from 1931, not an aftermarket piece, and it was taken from a rare A400 convertible sedan. Up front there’s a ’32 grille shell, also steel, and a set of big 1932 truck headlights that give it a wonderful vintage look. The roof was filled with a section of steel from a ‘60s station wagon, so you get the reinforcing ribs that not only help with noise but look cool to boot. The fenders are steel as well, while there’s a custom fiberglass rear pan with LED taillights. The period-correct metal trunk is a great addition, and it’s easy to remove because it’s part of the trailer hitch, so it slides in and out of the receiver on the frame. Don’t like it? Just pull the pin and slide it out.

Tan leather inside makes this Ford very easy to like when you’re driving. The leather buckets are from a late-model with custom door and side panels stitched up to match. OEM workmanship means the seats are comfortable and durable, with just a little wear on the driver’s chair that was probably there before the seats ever made it into this Ford. Plush tan carpets with proper bindings give it a very well-tailored look and there’s plenty of room inside for even tall drivers. The tilt steering column with a fat LaCarrera steering wheel certainly helps. The attractive VDO instruments in a custom billet panel were recently installed (hence the mileage) but they all work and look right in the vintage Ford. Underneath there’s a custom aluminum switch panel with the ignition, headlights, and wiper controls, plus those for the Vintage Air A/C system, which blows ice cold. Another fabricated aluminum consolette hangs overhead and houses a Sony AM/FM/CD stereo, which keeps the dash from looking too cluttered. The back seat is still fully functional, so grab some friends or your kids for a road trip.

For a hot rod that you intend to drive, a 350 cubic inch Chevy V8 is hard to beat. This one doesn’t break any new ground, but it is a fantastic runner with a healthy cam inside that really makes it sound like a proper hot rod. An Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor, HEI ignition system, and block-hugger headers help build power, and the formula was proven decades ago so it remains a very reliable cruiser today. The block, accessories, and water pump were all painted red to match the bodywork, and a few polished aluminum trim bits add some flash. You’ll note the firewall was recessed for good service access and there’s a giant radiator with a massive electric fan up front, and this car absolutely does not run hot. The A/C system was recently serviced and uses R134a refrigerant, so it’ll be easy to maintain in the future, and there’s a recent starter that spins it to live with ease. It idles well, even when it’s cold, and on the road it provides plenty of punch in the lightweight tudor but never asks for anything from the driver—just aim towards the horizon and cruise! Isn’t driving your car what this hobby is all about?

The Model A frame remains underneath, but it has obviously been upgraded, reinforced, and modified to cope with the added power. The front suspension is still a live axle with a transverse leaf spring, but it’s a dropped tubular piece that gives it an awesome rake. A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission snaps through the gears and feeds a Ford 9-inch rear end with 3.50 gears inside, so it’s a comfortable cruiser on the highway. A 4-link suspension with coil-over shocks keep the rear end in place and there are disc brakes up front for safety. Twin side-mounted gas tanks hold a bladder-bursting amount of fuel for road trips, and a switch on the dash allows you to select which tank you’re using (there’s a filler on each side of the car for convenience). The dual exhaust system uses mild mufflers for a pleasing engine note that never gets annoying and the chrome megaphone tips out back look great. Polished Centerline aluminum wheels look fantastic and the staggered 195/65/15 front and 225/70/15 rear blackwall radials help with the cool rake.

The trailer is included with the car and it makes this rod really stand out at shows. It’s fiberglass, so you can maneuver it around your garage by yourself (you can even lift it and move it without much effort). It’s painted to match the car, with the front end wearing a protective vinyl “bra” to keep it from getting beat up. It also features a matching bumper and 1939 Ford taillights with blue dots, a nice touch. It’s not beautifully finished inside, but it does have a mat and plenty of room for your gear. Trust me, you want to make a stir at an event, show up in this car with the trailer in tow!

This car doesn’t do anything radical, but it works as a car and that’s why we like it so much. The trailer gives it a stand-out appearance and raises the level of functionality considerably. The fact that it also rides nice, gets decent fuel economy, has cold A/C, a great stereo, and a comfortable back seat only adds to its appeal. Sure, you can cram yourself into a roadster for 45 minutes on a Saturday afternoon, that’s cool. Or you can own a rod that will go cross-country without a second thought and do it in style. I know which one I’d pick. Call today!