1929 Standard Phaeton on BaT

[David in San Antonio]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...d-model-a-272/

Seller says new Snyder’s radiator.
Note turn signals on front fenders.
Question: Did ‘29 Standard Phaeton have black or shiny stanchions and windshield frame?

[Keith True]

While the 29 phaeton had painted stanchions and windshield frames,that car has aftermarket folding stanchions.Those are not factory.Also,there was no standard or deluxe in 29,it was just a phaeton.

[Jim/GA]

The '29 Phaeton stanchions and windshield frame were painted "Belt & Moulding" color.

You are correct that the folding stanchions are not original. They don't look bad.

The speedometer in this car is a kilometer unit. In picture #23 you can see KILO in small print inside the zero on the speed cup. So the car was originally assembled and sold overseas.

It is odd to see the license plate installed on the right side. Perhaps this car started out life as a RHD model?

It has a Zenith Model B carburetor on it. Hopefully the intake manifold has been bored out to match.

It has a J.C. Whitney aftermarket horn that gets adjusted from the front.

No windshield wiper. This year and model should have an electric wiper.

[Marshall V. Daut]

Years ago someone was selling folding '28-29 windshield posts as reproductions. I don't know how many were sold. This car may have a set of those.
Also, in 1929 Canada built a "Deluxe Roadster" that had folding windshield posts. Maybe this is a Canadian car.
I haven't opened the link to study the car, but those are two possible explanations for the presence of folding windshield posts.
Marshall
ADDED: Not being familiar with Canadian-built Model A's, I have a question: Was there also a "Sport Phaeton" in 1929 that had folding windshield posts? If not, perhaps the w/s posts on this BaT phaeton came from a Canadian "Sport Roadster"? Any folks north of the border who can shed light on this issue?

[Keith True]

There's always dozens of things incorrect in old restorations.The only dealbreaker on that car to me are the hydraulic brakes.It just looks like a fun car to me.There is always a faction that feels they should be getting $50,000 worth of original restoration work for $20,000.

[gz]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The upholstery and top is horrible.

[ronn]

interesting the opinions on the stantions and the colors, etc

My rhd is all original and has chrome stantions. I have read that the stantions are to be body color and here, beltline color.

so were there variances depending where the car was built? Mine appears to have been built in Canada..............

[rackops]

Originally Posted by Marshall V. Daut

ADDED: Not being familiar with Canadian-built Model A's, I have a question: Was there also a "Sport Phaeton" in 1929 that had folding windshield posts? If not, perhaps the w/s posts on this BaT phaeton came from a Canadian "Sport Roadster"? Any folks north of the border who can shed light on this issue?

No. The Sport Phaeton came out much later. The 28-29 Phaetons from Canada were much like those in the US, save for variations particular to their factory production locations (e.g. right hand drive, "Colour Harmony" paint options in Australia, etc.)

The lights on the fenders definitely strike me as a South American car, but there doesn't appear to be any leftover RHD bits on the car. It could be that someone used South American fenders on a LHD car, or someone replaced the firewall on a RHD car and did a clean job of converting it. Either way, however, doesn't explain the folding windshield posts. Those appear to be aftermarket - maybe even something from the likes of JC Whitney or Montgomery Ward.

Looking at the quality of the restoration and current condition, the current bid is generous on it. It will probably go for more, and to me, the buyer is overpaying with consideration to the current market for these and the amount of work this one will require.

Dave

[rackops]

Here's an excerpt from a 1967 Montgomery Ward catalog of Model A parts. While folding stanchions aren't listed (not saying they didn't exist) what is listed are the chrome windshield frame and polished aluminum stanchions. Not sure why they were polished aluminum instead of chrome, but it is what it is. A car restored in 1967 would be considered "original" by many people, so what what available at one point during the life of the car isn't an indicator of what it was when it was actually original as new.

[ronn]

thank you Rackops!

[Bob-A]

I have 3 sets of repo folding 28-29 stanchions. 2 sets are chrome over bronze, 1 of them is NORS complete with a "Made in Taiwan" label within the box. The last set is a very poorly made aluminum ones that came out around 2008-10. They were not available on the open market from what I remember about them. I don't have any more '29 open cars so I guess I should sell them someday.


Bob-A


"Fender Skirts are for Women not Car Fenders"

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

So, ...did the $13,750 sales price surprise anyone?

If so, -in what way?

[AYooperA]

Brent, $13,750, year one depreciation on a 2026 F150 Lariat?

Some will say too high while others too low. Some will make note of poor workmanship, original features or Phaetons are too tight to enter etc.
I thought this is a solid example with great potential with some tweaking. A later ‘29 and only about 100,000 engine #’s from mine. I’d say someone got a fair shake. My restoration progresses toward year four. Needs reveal/striping upholstery and top. Oh finish plating for headlights and bumpers.

[rackops]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

So, ...did the $13,750 sales price surprise anyone?

If so, -in what way?

Based on the condition of the paint, I wouldn't have been surprised if this was listed as a "project". Sadly, the car was not in great shape. Personally, I think someone paid on the "high end" at the final price.

[nkaminar]

I say the exact right price, judging by what it sold for. The market determines the price.

[ronn]

I agree. the price was spot on..............


the rarity of phaetons is under appreciated.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

RE: Posts 13, 14, 15, & 16

This corroborates my thoughts about the poor condition of so many Model-As that are touted as 'Restored' -but aren't. Is it fair to compare this vehicle to one that was truly frame-off restored correctly that brought $20k 10+ years ago?

[ronn]

it is only fair to compare it to what it is. Prob 60-70% of the As out there are in this condition. A weekend driver to a local show and not much more.


As will always equal the budget of the owner. Not everyone wants a 100k car and certainly not everyone wants a 3k car. there is a happy medium with ones purse.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by ronn

it is only fair to compare it to what it is. Prob 60-70% of the As out there are in this condition. A weekend driver to a local show and not much more.


As will always equal the budget of the owner. Not everyone wants a 100k car and certainly not everyone wants a 3k car. there is a happy medium with ones purse.

Yes. While your point is very valid Ronn, how often do we hear people complaining that the price of Model-As is dropping from what they used to bring? I don't think the market is dropping on these vehicles due to lack of interest, -instead I maintain it is because lack of quality.

Next year I will celebrate being in the Model-A business for my 30th year. Before that, my previous 37 years was spent being involved as a second-generation hobbyist. My opinion about Model-As as a whole comes from firsthand experience of working on these cars for 30+ years. Using this Phaeton as an example, this vehicle will likely cause a lot of heartache for some new owner simply because of what it "isn't". Likely it "isn't" going to Start, Stop, & Steer reliably. Any one of those 3 areas can cause someone to lose interest in a collector vehicle very quickly. Pile multiple issues into the mix and the car becomes 'unfun' for the new hobbyist and his family, so he will dump it onto the market again and go find another type of hobby. If this is an example of what 60%-70% of the Model-As that are out there, this hobby is indeed doomed!!

[ronn]

totally agree Brent. so as the As deteriorate, one has to ask, is there enough interest to start spending more money to bring them up to higher standards?


one can only answer- what the market will bare. Again, it comes down to most peoples wallets.
You have had a niche business for many years and a better understanding as a whole, then most on this site. In the end money does dictate if a building is going to cost
one million or a hundred million or as in some cases, go over budget by a billion dollars............. yes Im going off topic, but same principles.