Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

I have been wanting a Model A for several years (one of my friend's Dad has a 29 and I just love it). I am somewhat young (early 40's) and want a cruiser. I have read 100's of pages on the Model A but now I was offered a 31 basket case pick-up yesterday and I am thinking hard about grabing it. I would want to restore it, not hot rod it. The body was removed about 10 years ago, it was running and driving a few years ago when his son moved the rest of the car to a lower garage. He said it was a runing/driving truck when he bought it 10 years ago but the project stalled and he has not touched it in years. I live on Cape Cod and I see there are a few members on here that are local to me. I own several Factory Five cars I built so I can turn a wrench.

What should I look for and what should I pay. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Jim

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

I would beging by looking for a local Model A Ford Club in your area. That way you and some of the members who have been down that road can actually look at the basket case and tell you just what to expect in a restoration.

Pluck

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

Jim,First of all look at the cab ,box and fenders and see how much work they need. I have restored a few pickups and I like them because you don't have big body panels like a sedan so it's eaisier to paint and the repair areas don't seem so daunting. Also you don't have alot of interior to redo. Remember it's easy to spend a grand doing breaks and it's easy to spend that much on rebuilding the front end.You can also spend alot on an engine. Check these things out. But I always feel if the body parts are decent that is the most important.I would think for a decent basket case pickup, you would be looking a three to five grand. Remember when all is said and done your probably going to have more invested than what it's actually worth. But pickups are fun projects and fun to own when completed. I have a 40 ford pickup I've owned since 1970.Also I feel the later 30-31 pickups are worth a little more than the earlier ones. Just my opinion.I say go for it,if you can buy it right. Good luck, Frank

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

If you have not been around model A's. If you have not worked on them or helped others work on them, I would not suggest a "basket case". What you describe though is not a basket case in my opinion as only the body needs work.

Keep in mind that the work needed restoration, sheet metal work, welding, ect is not the same as building a kit. I'm not saying one is easier then the other, it's just a different skill set.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

They make most of the sheet metal for a pick up so if you are missing anything it would be an easy find. Regarding cost that is tough but I think a running version would be in the $5000-$8000 range so less than half that would be a starting point. If the parts are damaged or rusted out less would be appropriate. But like they said above find a local Model A club and get with them they can help you look it over.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

A running engine can still be quite worn out. So to me running is a vague term. The engine that was with the chassis for my delivery ran fine. It had a very slight rod knock. When I pulled the pan to inspect I found no shims left anywhere in the engine. Further inspection upon dissassembly I found the cyls were worn and .009 taper. It needs a complete rebuild. I only paid $500 for the chassis so it was a good buy even though everything needs rebuild. I would value what you discribe around $3500-$5000. Rod

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

Thank you for the advise. I try to find a local club. The nearest I know of is a few hrs away. I will take pictures today and post. Thank you so far for the advise. Looking forward to thoughts after the pictures are posted

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

Take a large number of pictures and post them here for comments. You need to set the camera to the lowest resolution (or reduce the resolution after you take them). Without pictures I am not even going to guess at what the truck is worth.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

X2 lots of pics

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

Pictures.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

Next set

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

As far as joining a club the Model A Ford Club of Cape Cod is available and meet the forth Tuesday of the month. Usually meet in Hyannis. Send a P.M. for any other info.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

More pics.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

Some more....

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

In my opinion, that's not a basket case. What I see pictured looks good. I've seen, (and bought) much worse already.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

Buy it!!

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

Last set of pics. Not pictured but included is..... all fenders, cowl, hood, rad surround, headlights/tail-lights, new gauges, front and rear glass (including windshield frame), horn and running boards. All non pictured body parts are primed. He does not feel he is missing any parts except for the door glass. Brakes were just rebuilt including all new rods, drums, rollers and hubs. Radiator looks tired but hold water. Also comes with an extra windshield and 2 extra doors.

So what is it worth?

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

very nice

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

Thank you, the closest club I had found online was in Sudbury MA. I will PM you now.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

$3500 to $4500 is what I think it's worth if it has a clear title and decent doors. Looks like someone put a metal roof on it. I don't think it is a late 31 that came from the factory that way as I still see the holes for the tack strip which the factory steel top didn't have.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

Jim you mentioned you wanted a "cruiser". I am a little dense about car terms but if you meant a rig that you could put a number of people in and cruise around in it, then as you realize a pickup does not do a very good job in that area. But if you just want a rig to run around in then a pick up will do as good a job as any rig.

One other consideration is that I know a 1929 pick up does not have much room in the cab to put a bunch of big feet and legs in it. I am not sure what a 1931 has as far as room. Of course this is only a consideration if have the big feet and bod.

So just a couple of comments. Have fun with your project. Like mentioned above, buy it if you want to put in the effort and money into it.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

No idea what they are worth in USA money but looks like $9,000 of my local money and in fairly good shape, tidier than my car.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

From reading the 30/31 were larger then the 28/29. How much... I do not know. As for the term "cruiser" I mean an around the town (read "slow") toy. Classic and the opposite of fast. I have other fast cars if that is what I want that day. I want just something I can jump in and toot around town in.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

I think a better question to ask, and your local guys can help answer, is not what this should cost to buy, but what will it cost to restore?

In Oregon you can find a nice older restoration running pickup for $12-15k. Finishing this project in Oregon with what I see in your photos would be about $10k-$12k and take you maybe a year if you did it right, and you did most of the body and paint work. And that doesn't include an engine rebuild, which if necessary will be another $3500 or so. Prices may be different in your area, but I'll bet they aren't less.

There are lots of Model A's out there. Shop around. Look at and drive a lot of cars. Talk to Model A guys. Read a lot of books. Don't stampede yourself.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

In #13 the first picture, is the outer end of the axle bent, or is that just a trick of the picture?

As mentioned, pickups are the tightest of any body style, so make sure you will be comfortable in it before you buy it. Pickups do sell well, so if you do decide to sell it later, you should have no problem.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

I will look at the axle but I think it is an optical illusion.

The seller is asking 5k but is willing to negotiate.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

Regarding the tack strip at the rear of the roof: The steel top (wide beds) that I have seen all had a wooden rear tack strip. What I did notice however is that the Budd cab back panel has a different 'pitch' or tack 'tabs' that the soft top. So, if you were to put a steel top on a cloth top rear panel the tabs will NOT interface with each other. If the tack tabs match at both the top and the rear panel they are original.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

I will flip cab into it's correct orientation and see if they line up.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

Don't buy a basket case for your 1st Model A. Get a running car or truck, learn how to run it, maintain it and enjoy. Once you have some experience and knowledge, then consider building a basket case.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

I wonder with those with "basket cases" soon realize that the project is just to much (monitarily or whatever) to handle and just give up the restoration?

Pluck

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

I would tend to agree here. I dont doubt you could learn, but its going to be that much more difficult, because :
a) you didnt take it apart
b) You've never done it, so you dont know how to put it back correctly.Its not quite like working on a modern car.
It does look much better than I was expecting from your first description. It should make a good project.
Good Luck!

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

I tend to also agree. My huckster was a "basket case" but the old chassis belonged to my Uncle George and was given to me when I was in high school. This was a different situation in that in those days I had the opportunity to tear it apart and thus understood how to put it together. Thus I do agree with this comment. Buy one that you can enjoy then start tearing it apart.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

In contrast to some other opinions here, I like a basket case. I see them as mechanical puzzles. My last one was for a model which I was unfamiliar with, so speaking for myself, I'd never let inexperience slow me down. I learn as I go, learn from others, and learn from here. My last project had the 'major baskets' with it, however, there were several smaller baskets that were missing. I would expect that, again.
JMO

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

What is the best book or books to read as a reference guide/assembly manual? I have not purchased the car yet but I did have some one local look that owns a model A and he said it is not a basket case it just needs body and interior reassembled. Still not the easiest of tasks so I understand. Thank you again for the continued advise.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

Rich Bell from this forum was able to assist me in obtaining 2 books "Restoring the model A pickup" and "Model A mechanics handbook". I have some studying to do.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

All depends on the price and the completeness of the project. I am assuming you have the work space required for a restoration. Purchasing a vehicle which isn't assembled produces lots of challenges (I know - what is sold as complete may or may not be). Having said that, it appears from the photos that it is a very viable project, certainly not a basket case. I would go for it and enjoy if they price is right. But sure to have a bit of a money reserve to make the purchases needed for completion.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

Yes I have the space. Looks like the purchase price will be $3500. Owner said he is not actively trying to sell it so do the research and make sure it is a project that not only do I want to undertake, but one I can also finish.

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

I think it is a steel top. They had the tack strip at the rear seam. If, for sure it is, you need to look for the two steel bows inside, They are hard to find.

Looks like a very viable project to me.

Value? Depends on quality of what has been done. Sometimes you are buying stuff that has to be re-done.

BU

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

This is what the inside of a steel top '31 Budd cab looks like

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...u/P1140291.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...u/P1140289.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...u/P1140280.jpg

Can't quite see from your photos what you've got there. As the poster above said, the steel bows are hard to find loose.

I'd happily pay $3500 for it as is. If it's got a title then I'd think you'd done well at that price

Cheers

Juggs

Re: Basket case, what do I look for? New to the hobby.
 

Kalstar,
I say, go for it. You cant go wrong here. It will be a fun project which you will be able to sell at any time. There are at least 2,000 of us staring at the pictures and wishing we had the opportunity to buy it.
I also have a 28 Roadster Pickup and my family and I just love it. I am a medium sized 6 footer and it is a little tight and uncomfortable but you'll get to love it as well. I shaved the back rest of the seat by about 2 inches, which doesnt help much with entering but with your bum 2 inches further back does help a little with the leg room.
Regards
Chris
Cape town