The Ford Barn

marc hildebrant · 03-31-2026, 07:39 PM

Brent,

I take it that your shop is busy out to one year?

Marc

bobv · 04-01-2026, 09:31 AM

"After reading what??"

After reading post #16. I do believe that is very true, I have seen it happen.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 04-01-2026, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc hildebrant

Brent,

I take it that your shop is busy out to one year?

Marc

Presently we are about 18 months backlogged. The fortunate side for us is we are gaining ground and down from a 2+ year waiting list a year ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobv

"After reading what??"

After reading post #16. I do believe that is very true, I have seen it happen.

Model-As still sell very well. What I am seeing is there are very, very few 'ready-to-go' Model-As that hit the open market. Most are sold by word of mouth within a few hours or so of the owner deciding to sell. It is the worn out 'restored' cars that are giving the hobby a bad rep.

Jeff/Illinois · 04-01-2026, 01:47 PM

Good to see this discussion----Interesting perspectives

As a comparison, I never liked the first generation Broncos for a number of reasons,,, but those things are stupid money today and they were basically 'junk' when they were new. I worked at a Ford dealership back then. I know what I'm talking about. I wouldn't have one today as a gift.

But they seem to be popular. That or it is the 'Equity Investment' folks driving that market.

It would be nice if that happened to Model T's and A's someday!

In summary, if we are into old cars for the investment potential we are all in the wrong mind set. They are just a hobby something to have fun with.

Grier · 04-01-2026, 02:57 PM

Brent, First off no one should ever buy a Model A over the internet sight unseen. That’s just asking for trouble as you have so aptly described. Hopefully anyone reading this thread will take note that the best Model A’s to purchase are ones from your local clubs. Your local clubs will know the history and these cars are usually very well priced and a good starting point for improving and restoring if that is your desire. The original post asked the question about a few he found. My comment is you can get a better starting point if you are patient.

WHN · 04-01-2026, 06:02 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

There are some very honest people out there selling well cared for cars on the internet.

We just sold one that we had owned for over forty years. Not restored but a very well taken care of original.

We got our asking price and the buyer got a great car. They are out there.

Gene F · 04-01-2026, 06:34 PM

Taking my 57 Skyliner next week to a T-Bird specialty shop for three mainteneancy type of items that I do not want to perform. Getting underneath the thing on jackstands 15 times makes my back sore just thinking about it.

And you'd be surprised what our budget is for this work? I took it over for them to look at (~70 miles over) and have waited in line 7 months.

Best place to buy a good A is the national meet. If they drove it that far, chances far it is dependable. Some people have had their A for a long time, and those are the ones that tend to be worth the price paid. Pople lie.

03-31-2026, 07:39 PM	#21
marc hildebrant Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 1,129	Re: Who would take on these Model A Restorations? Brent, I take it that your shop is busy out to one year? Marc

04-01-2026, 09:31 AM	#22
bobv Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Baxter, MN. Posts: 168	Re: Who would take on these Model A Restorations? "After reading what??" After reading post #16. I do believe that is very true, I have seen it happen.

04-01-2026, 01:47 PM	#24
Jeff/Illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,001	Re: Who would take on these Model A Restorations? Good to see this discussion----Interesting perspectives As a comparison, I never liked the first generation Broncos for a number of reasons,,, but those things are stupid money today and they were basically 'junk' when they were new. I worked at a Ford dealership back then. I know what I'm talking about. I wouldn't have one today as a gift. But they seem to be popular. That or it is the 'Equity Investment' folks driving that market. It would be nice if that happened to Model T's and A's someday! In summary, if we are into old cars for the investment potential we are all in the wrong mind set. They are just a hobby something to have fun with. Last edited by Jeff/Illinois; 04-01-2026 at 01:54 PM.

04-01-2026, 02:57 PM	#25
Grier Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Topsail Beach, NC Posts: 54	Re: Who would take on these Model A Restorations? Brent, First off no one should ever buy a Model A over the internet sight unseen. That’s just asking for trouble as you have so aptly described. Hopefully anyone reading this thread will take note that the best Model A’s to purchase are ones from your local clubs. Your local clubs will know the history and these cars are usually very well priced and a good starting point for improving and restoring if that is your desire. The original post asked the question about a few he found. My comment is you can get a better starting point if you are patient.

04-01-2026, 06:02 PM	#26
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 2,067	Re: Who would take on these Model A Restorations? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) There are some very honest people out there selling well cared for cars on the internet. We just sold one that we had owned for over forty years. Not restored but a very well taken care of original. We got our asking price and the buyer got a great car. They are out there.

04-01-2026, 06:34 PM	#27
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,689	Re: Who would take on these Model A Restorations? Taking my 57 Skyliner next week to a T-Bird specialty shop for three mainteneancy type of items that I do not want to perform. Getting underneath the thing on jackstands 15 times makes my back sore just thinking about it. And you'd be surprised what our budget is for this work? I took it over for them to look at (~70 miles over) and have waited in line 7 months. Best place to buy a good A is the national meet. If they drove it that far, chances far it is dependable. Some people have had their A for a long time, and those are the ones that tend to be worth the price paid. Pople lie.