Beautiful older restoration in good colors. Runs and drives well, no significant modifications, great tour car. Model As are still a lot of fun and with great parts availability and club support, they are an ideal way to get into the hobby for not a lot of cash.

This very attractive 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Coupe sports a quality restoration that was finished maybe 15 years ago, yet the still car presents beautifully and is ready to be driven and enjoyed as intended. Traditional Ford Maroon looks exactly the way Model As are supposed to look: simple but elegant, and not over-dressed with accessories and add-ons. These were an everyman’s car and times were tough in the early ‘30s, so this is how many of them would have looked, not all dressed up with sidemounts and trunks and lights. The finish has a wonderful soft shine that’s very appropriate to the period and aside from some polishing marks, it remains in great shape. The black fenders are correct, there’s a Vermillion pinstripe as original, and with the spare tire out back it looks just as it would have in 1930. The lone accessories are the quail moto-meter on the radiator (always a smart addition), dual taillights, and the radiator guard that’s great for touring. Oh, and LED turn signals were added for safety.

Handsome brown mohair gives the humble coupe a very dressed-up look and as it was when it was new, it is surprisingly comfortable. Coupes are a great choice for touring with improved weather protection, yet the rumble seat allows extra passengers to join the fun. All the usual Model A features are here, from the big hard rubber steering wheel to the center-mounted instrument panel, whose round speedometer indicates that this car is 1931 production. There are no major modifications save for the aforementioned turn signals and seat belts, both of which were added in the interest of safety on today’s roads. If you’re a newcomer, it won’t take you long to get comfortable behind the wheel and if you’re an old Model A fan, this car will be a real treat.

Mechanically, the Model As remain some of the most reliable machines ever created. The tough little four-cylinder engine has a distinctive soundtrack, a surprisingly big hit of torque at any speed, and an eagerness that won’t be reflected by its specifications on paper. In the lightweight coupe, it feels energetic and pulls the car around with genuine enthusiasm, cruising easily at 45-50 MPH and keeping up with city traffic without working very hard at all. The engine shows a few light signs of use but nothing significant that couldn’t be erased with a weekend of detailing. A Zenith updraft carburetor handles the intake and it’s still lit off by flat copper leads to the spark plugs. The lone upgrades seem to be the master fuse for the electrical system (very smart!) and a water pump with a sealed bearing that never needs to be serviced. It starts easily, idles easily at about 500 RPM (it’ll go even lower if you want!), and works just the way you’d expect. This is the way Model As are supposed to be.

There are no surprises underneath where you’ll find a tough ladder frame, a non-synchronized 3-speed manual transmission (don’t worry, you’ll learn to double-clutch it in about 3 minutes), and the usual buggy-spring suspension. The floors are wood on Model As, so no worries about rust or rot, and the other structural components were obviously restored with the rest of the car and remain in excellent condition. Four new Houdaille shocks have been recently installed at significant expense and make a difference in ride quality, although it’s still a bit crude. The exhaust system offers that traditional Model A soundtrack and with 3.78 gears in the banjo-style rear end, it feels light on its feet and ready to go. Handsome painted wire wheels are the right choice and carry 4.75/5.00-19 Firestone whitewall tires that are appropriate to the car.

Extras include an original owner’s manual, maintenance paperwork, and some spare parts.

Nicely finished, a delight to drive, and very reasonably priced, this is one of our favorite Model As. If you’re looking for a good one, it would be a mistake to overlook it and it proves that things of quality have no fear of time. This is Model A done right!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.