1931 Ford Model A

VIN: 8431823; Sedan; Pale Yellow / Gray; 201ci I4 / Manual; Mileage: N/A; Barn find, no keys, 3-speed manual, good bones

1931 Ford Model A Tudor Sedan
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For auction, a 1931 Ford Model A Tudor Sedan presenting in barn find condition. There might be some meat on the bone on this one for the ambitious and resourceful restorer, and plenty of usable steel if a parts car is needed for a current restoration.Â

Exterior
There's enough pale yellow paint on this example to recognize its former glory, especially as the 21-inch wire wheels are matched. Sharp contrast is offered by the textured vinyl top which appears in decent condition, and also by the typical for the era black fenders and side panels, one of which is missing. What's also missing is the hood, grille, and radiator, as well as the bumpers. It does have a spare attached to the back however there is no accompanying tail light. The paint is rough on the body and the fenders with areas of surface rust, deeper rust, patches, filler, dents and dings, and cracking paint. The right rear window is cracked, but all other glass is in place for this quintessential barn find.Â

Interior
No door panels and the inside is gutted for the most part. There are a pair of cloth bucket seats up front in usable condition, though aged, and a steering wheel is in place as is a shifter that rises from the plywood floor. There are no gauges on the dash. Cotton batting on the ceiling is in decent shape and awaits a headliner.

Drivetrain
Parts of the 201ci inline four cylinder remain including the 1-barrel carburetor. The engine is not surprisingly weather and coated with surface rust and it's mated to a 3-speed manual transmission that sends power to rear 3.78 gears.

Undercarriage
Often the most protected part of a barn find, this underside is in decent condition even as surface rust covers most of it. The single exhaust is clean and a stock style muffler is now rust colored while mechanical drum brakes are equipped at all four wheels. Transverse leaf springs, front and rear, are the components of suspension.

Drive-Ability
An incomplete engine and interior and the absence of keys prevent us from even trying.

There might be some decent bones here and at the very least, some usable parts. In 1931, this enclosed sedan must have felt like a grand touring luxury car and very special to own, even if more than 600,000 other people felt the same way!