Who would take on these Model A Restorations?

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

The problem is the asking price. They are asking $5,000-$6,000 for Tudors and Fordors when you can buy a nice restored Tudor/Fordor for $10-15,000. Why would you spend tens of thousands more to restore one when you can buy one for much less? The cost of the restoration, even doing ALL of the work yourself, far exceeds the value of buying a ready to drive car. Or is logic something that I should not consider?

Standing on the opposite side of the fence from the comments above allows me to see a different side of reality. Please allow me to share a perspective that many of y'all working on hypothetical assumptions never see.

To begin with, it has been my experiences for many, many years now that most hobbyists that buy a 'restored' Model-A buy someone else's problems. I have seen this over, and over again where a new hobbyist buys a "restored" Model-A from the web and gives strong money only to get the vehicle home and find they were lied to. I can recite story after story (-as can others who repair Model-As for their living) where someone buys a good-looking Model-A that has supposedly been restored and they were told the vehicle is ready to go have fun. So, they make their winning bid and pay the transportation costs to get it home.

Then the excitement gradually turns to disappointment as little by little the issues surface over the next month or so. The vehicle will not safely stop because the local club member guys were clueless on how to restore Brakes. They were, however, good at applying paint out of an aerosol can. Additionally it does not start reliably because the wiring has been McGuyvered and patched, the Distributor is worn, and the rebuilt Carburetor (-the one with the worn Throttle shaft and the scored GAV seat) leaks like Niagara Falls. Also, when the freshly painted stock Engine has run for a few minutes, that 'restored' Model-A leaves a large puddle of oil underneath because the bearing thrust is killed and there aren't any shims left to remove. But even when we struggle with those issues because everyone says that is just how Model-As are, they cautiously drive it a few miles before the power diminishes enough they are left on the side of the road because of a rusted gas tank that plugged the fuel line. That's Ok because they needed to pull over and allow the overheating engine to cool due to a tired Radiator and a Water Pump that leaked water. So while waiting on the tow truck, the Model-A passengers have time to call around finding someone who will 'uber' them back home since everyone cannot ride home in the tow truck. After the new owner has paid the $100 tow bill to get his prize back home, he joins a few of the social media Model-A pages to get some advice. After spending hours following their advice without any success he chooses to find his local Model-A Club to assist with the repairs. Afterall, he read on Fordbarn and other places to get the local club to help him out. So the local guys graciously show up around 9:00 on a Saturday where they promptly start devouring the two-dozen Donut and Coffee that the new hobbyist graciously provided. Then around 11:30, after talking about possibilities and disassembling a few easy items someone mentions it is about time to go eat lunch so they choose a restaurant and off they go. After lunch, the enthusiastic club members suddenly remember they have things to do that afternoon (-i.e.: take a nap), so they politely excuse themselves never to be seen again. I could go on, but I think you see where this is going.

So now, the new Model-A owner reaches out to find professional help to get his Model-A functioning where he and his family can enjoy it after spending money on a car that the expert Club member supposed restored. After another transportation expense, we do a quick assessment and give them a rundown. A new Radiator and leakless Water Pump including Radiator will be around $2k. To properly rebuild Brakes will be between $5k-$6k if the Rear Axle housings are not worn (which generally they are.). The Engine Rebuild including labor can be anywhere between $7.5k-$15k depending on options. The rusty Gas Tank restoration will be around $3k including R&R, Resto, Repainting, etc. Better budget around $2k-$3k for new Tires & Tubes. At this point we are nearing $30k for a vehicle he gave $20k for and the owner still has a poorly restored vehicle. For double that amount he has spent, he could have a newly restored Model-A that was professionally done in the color of his choosing, a fresh interior, straightened Frame, rebuilt Front & Rear Axles, rebuilt Steering Gearbox, new Shocks, straightened Wheels (-or new ones), fresh & shiny britework, etc., etc.

Most Forum members do not understand how things in this Hobby have changed and are totally different than of 30-50 years ago. Today, there are more people wanting professionally restored Model-As than there are Shops to fulfill their need. These Hobbyists are not having a Model-A restored as a financial investment. They are doing it because of desire. There generally is an underlying reason why they choose to have a vehicle restored. It was once a family member's Model-A that they want to drive and enjoy. It was a Model-A just like one they had in a former life. They want a Model-A of their own to tour with friends. What I have always found intriguing with Model-A people is the mindset that the owner should never spend more than the car will sell for. Most other hobbies do not see this skewed mindset. Gardening rarely ever sees a ROI. Golfing rarely ever sees a ROI. The money spent on RV-ing never is financially prudent however this country sees new ones sold every day. The same with Fishing or Hunting, or Off-roading. No one buys a boat, a gun, or a SxS with the thoughts that it will be cheaper than buying a fish or meat. So why is it the mindset that you shouldn't spend money on a Model-A??


As a side note, ...buying a running, restored Model-A to re-restore is a waste of money IMHO. People put a premium on buying a Model-A to restore that has a running Engine. Buying a 'restored' Model-A is of no benefit if in reality it was 'restored' with incorrect or worn-out parts. Sheetmetal that has shiny paint over rusted panels that have ¼" of Bondo hiding rust-throughs is of no value when a complete restoration is about to happen. Think about it.