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

[Greg Jones]

Heck for $3500 if you don't buy it I will.

[Kalstar]

Ok look for the steel roof bows, Anything else that are hard to find on these "Steel Tops" I should keep an eye out for (or any pick up of this era for that matter)? I was told it was a late 31 truck, it has the standard bed though. Does it make it many more special to be a late opposed to an early truck 31?

[CarlG]

The "Late '31" pickups could come in several configurations:
• Hard (steel) top or soft top
• Indented or flat firewall
• Wide bed or standard narrow bed

Ford had a habit of using up what was in the pipeline when changes were introduced, therefore, a "Late '31" could have any combination of the 3 elements above.

Throw into that the 80+ years of constant change by the many owners of these beasts, and you really don't know what you may or may not have.

My Pickup has an Indented firewall, Hard (steel) top, and a Narrow bed.

[Jim Mason]

If it is your first A, I'd recommend a complete car you can drive and learn. then consider a basket case.

[1930artdeco]

Hi Jim,

Here is my two cents worth. Both camps are correct you should buy one that is running and enjoy it,never to know it,need what makes them tick. You should also buy that one-especially for 3500-IF:
A) you have space
B) you have the mechanical skills. They are not complex but they do have their quirks
C) most importantly you have the time and drive. It looks like you just have the body to do from the pics. The mechanical stuff can be gone through relatively easily and quickly since the body is off.

Those are the two sides of the coin. If you opt to get it buy some pizza and root beer and have the local club come over to give you a hand. The truck will be together inside six months. Pizza and beer will cut it down to two months😀.

Mike

[Dave Mellor NJ]

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The extra doors are valuable.

[WRA]

Buy a complete and rust free car. Best advice I can give after 35 years of building and tinkering. You will be a lot of money ahead in the long run.

The pictured truck looks good for the right guy, but I would consider it a parts car. For me, it's worth the $3500 mentioned.

[Kalstar]

Originally Posted by WRA

Buy a complete and rust free car. Best advice I can give after 35 years of building and tinkering. You will be a lot of money ahead in the long run.

The pictured truck looks good for the right guy, but I would consider it a parts car. For me, it's worth the $3500 mentioned.

I hear you load and clear, my motivation is a little different though. I like to tinker.....someone else's restored car will never feel like mine. Even if this truck is not "the one" I would want to buy something that I could work on and make my own. I hear all the advise and maybe I should buy a completed car, drive it for a bit then decide if this project is right for me (I'll still buy the truck now but store it away). The other side of my brain is saying, "awe you can do it, just jump in feet first". I have built (3) component cars that have all been top show winners. Either way I go, I will be joining your ranks and look forward to learning.

[frank mcdaniels]

Kalstar, Congratulations on your decision.All my cars were bought as basket cases. The thing was I didn't have the money to buy a complete finished car. I may have spent more in the long run but it was affordable in the begining and I was able to spend money on restoration as I could afford it. I would of never been able to buy the cars I have if they were already restored. It seems most people today want to take the easy way out and have everything done for them. Restoring a model A is not rocket science . Get help when you need it and try to do atleast one thing everyday on your project and before long you will have something you can be proud of and say "I did this myself". I wasn't going to comment on this thread but I just finally had to. Good luck and full steam ahead. Frank

[Kalstar]

Originally Posted by frank mcdaniels

Kalstar, Congratulations on your decision.All my cars were bought as basket cases. The thing was I didn't have the money to buy a complete finished car. I may have spent more in the long run but it was affordable in the begining and I was able to spend money on restoration as I could afford it. I would of never been able to buy the cars I have if they were already restored. It seems most people today want to take the easy way out and have everything done for them. Restoring a model A is not rocket science . Get help when you need it and try to do atleast one thing everyday on your project and before long you will have something you can be proud of and say "I did this myself". I wasn't going to comment on this thread but I just finally had to. Good luck and full steam ahead. Frank

Thank you Frank for the advise.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Ditto what Frank said.

Buy some good Model A books and join a club and the job will be much easier.

[Jacksonlll]

Kalstar, this video may give you a few pointers. jack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xkAZil2b78

[pgerhardt]

Originally Posted by Kalstar

I hear you load and clear, my motivation is a little different though. I like to tinker.....someone else's restored car will never feel like mine. Even if this truck is not "the one" I would want to buy something that I could work on and make my own. I hear all the advise and maybe I should buy a completed car, drive it for a bit then decide if this project is right for me (I'll still buy the truck now but store it away). The other side of my brain is saying, "awe you can do it, just jump in feet first". I have built (3) component cars that have all been top show winners. Either way I go, I will be joining your ranks and look forward to learning.

The other thing to keep in mind is that buying a "restored" car is no guarantee that it was done right. I am into my sixth month of re-restoring my 29 tudor. Looks good doesn't it? (see avatar) I thought so, but on closer inspection I have found much that was done not well, so I am going through the car again. It will be correct when I am done!
Your winning awards for your component cars shows that you have the needed attention to detail for the task. Take your time and do your research and I am sure your truck will be winning award one day.

[Kalstar]

Well just an update, I purchased the truck last June and it has been stored away till a few weeks ago. I have started tinkering with it and hope to be driving it before Summer's end. Though it does not fit here, I also purchased a glass T-Bucket to play with in the mean time.

[Dennis Pereira]

I'm glad you rescued that old truck have fun .

[ian Simpson]

Kalstar, just buy it. My wife and I bought all three of our collector cars without even sitting in them, let alone crawling underneath or driving them. I know we are not typical, but we do not expect to make money or even re-coop our investment. Any loss or profit will affect the value of our estate, not our standard of living. The day by day cost of maintaining and improving the cars is just the cost of having fun.

Keep us posted on the rebuild, I am envious but the time for my undertaking such a task is long gone. But I did have the pleasure of undertaking three frame-off restorations of more modern vehicles over the past several years.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I agree with Ian. I enjoy antiques cars for the fun, and not for a profit.

[Kalstar]

Thx Dennis Ian and Tom, I intend to enjoy the rebuild as much as the end product. I too could careless if this is for profit or loss undertaking. Though looking at eBay, it seems clean model A prices have risen in recent years.

[Domino]

Overall it looks pretty good - certainly not a basket case and could be a bargain. Making sure it is complete is important. One item that is frequently forgotten is the radiator. In that they cost 550 - 800 to replace make sure it is usable.

A good price is one that you both find acceptable. It's value to me would be $3,000 to
$4.500. But prices vary regionally. If you are a large person, you might find a local one and sit in it. Two of my friends found the fit in the pick-ups they purchased was too tight.

[cradlescyth]

buy it !!!