1929 Ford Model A Sports Coupe Rumble Seat

Description

The Ford Model T may have put America on the road, but its successor, the Model A, added the style and amenities those same Americans waited too long for Henry to add to the “Tin Lizzy.” This sale marks your chance to own an iconic piece of drivable automotive history—and also your most affordable shot at getting into a car with a real rumble seat!

The car is a 1929 Ford Model A in the rare Sports Coupe body style (50A), with simulated (fixed) convertible-look top. The car is largely mechanical original, but has been repainted in a shade approximating Ford’s later “cigarette cream” – try using that name nowadays! – and features a nearly new black vinyl interior.

I have got more attention driving this car than I have driving a Lamborghini, McLaren or ’71 Plymouth—not bad for a humble coupe of which they made five million!

The car comes with a genuine rumble seat in the trunk with like-new black vinyl upholstery. This “mother-in-law seat” offers your passengers a riding experience like no other, simultaneously out in the open air yet somehow in and behind the car. It is an absolute thrill being back there. While the roof doesn’t fold down, the rear glass window does fold inward, removing all physical barriers between the people inside the cab and back there in the air.

The car runs and drives but could use some tuning, mostly to the steering. The wiper, horn, gauges and headlights and taillight all work fine. (Note: as when new, the car does not come with turn signals.) The front brakes have been replaced within the last five years, and much steering hardware – new kingpins, bushings, tie rod ends and ball studs – was replaced during my ownership. The red 19-inch wire wheels and tires, as well as some of the steering componentry, are from a 1930 Model A.

The four-cylinder flathead engine runs very smoothly, and appears mostly original, save for the addition of a fuse to the starter; and a replacement generator. The clutch is good and the three-speed transmission works fine, though it will clunk into a gear once in a while.

The steering as-is is heavy, requiring some force to turn the car. This is almost certainly due to poor seals around the steering gear/box letting the gear oil out. That fix would be a bit laborious but the parts shouldn’t be more than $100.

The brakes would need adjustment, the front tires are almost new, and the rear tires, while usable, show some cracking in the sidewall. The inner-tube tire design means they hold air no problem and the tread is good. The gas pedal will fall off its perch, and the inside driver door handle frequently gets stuck. The paint is very presentable but there are several minor scratches and paint cracks all around the car, most notably on the lower rear right corner and the top of the cowl.

The interior kick panels (down by your feet, ahead of the door) are included in the sale but are not installed in the car and need to be upholstered; the matching upholstery is also included, however. The chrome is in good shape all around.

The sale includes a homemade car cover with opening driver door panel; a crank-starter that doubles as a tire iron; a battery hold-down to keep the battery from jostling loose; a rubber-bulb “ah-ooga!”-type horn; several of the Les Andrews books owners refer to as the “Bible” of Model A repair and troubleshooting; a Model A distributor-puller; several small parts and tools; a fire extinguisher; and wheel chocks.

The car spent about five decades in Iowa before being sold to an enthusiast in Toronto in summer 2011, who effected several of the above-mentioned repairs. I purchased the car from his widow in summer 2019, but am now forced to sell as I find myself short of funds.

$1,000 non-refundable deposit due at close of auction with the remainder due in the 10 days following. Sold as-is, where-is. Shipping is your responsibility but I will work with you and your shipper.