Bone Stock or Modified?

[WHN]

What and why? I have for many years wondered why some Model A owners feel the call to add all kinds of things to their cars.

I’m a stock from the factory guy. No jewelry or speed parts.

Honest question. What do you guys like to see and why?

I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer to this question. Just interesting conversation.

Enjoy the upcoming holiday.

[jb-ob]

If you are the kind a guy who has to stand out at the show, be unique and restore your car correctly. Novel idea !

Absolutely, positively must have 'improvements', check out the break down tent at a National Meet before wasting your money.

My $.02, your mileage might differ.

[jm29henry]

Adjustable valve, leak less water pump safety glass antifreeze new two blade fan are important improvements otherwise an original part works and fit better

[Mulletwagon]

Seat belts and turn signals enhance safety with only a minor ding, IMHO, to originality. I also like 12 volts and negative ground just to ensure I can get a jump. A modern engine and trans crosses the originality rubicon for me since I like the Model A charm of whinning gears and double clutching. No criticism to those that go for the big mods, but for me, those changes compromise the time machine factor.

[denis4x4]

Make a visit to the Museum of American Speed in Lincoln, NE and you would be amazed to see the displays of T and A speed equipment that was available during the same time these cars were still in production. The speed equipment industry has been around for almost a 100 years and contributes billions of dollars to the economy. While I have an original 1935 CRAGAR head on one of my A's, there are at least a half a dozen current OHV heads on the market today. I can appreciate a 495 point A. By the same token acquiring period correct speed equipment for an A or T is probably just as difficult as the person looking for OE equipment for a points car if not more so. Try and find a STROMBERG-BENDIX downdraft single barrel intake that was sold through Ford dealers in 1931!

[Jim Brierley]

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I'm with Dennis. I got into the Model A hobby when I started racing the A/B engines years, ago. First drag racing with a club I had joined, it grew from there. I've run, on the Bonneville salt flats and SoCal dry lakes, and have set a few records with my OHV Model B engine. I also have a widebed pickup, a Vicky and a speedster. The PU and Vicky have stock bodies but modified engines and running gear, and are a joy to drive.

If you want to stay original, that's great. If you want to get out on the road, more horsepower and better brakes are needed. As you look at A's in the parking lot at major meets you see more and more modifications.

To each his own!

[Jack Shaft]

Doesn't matter if its stock or modified, just finish it and drive it. Don't get huffy cause it doesn't suit you,its not your car. As a modifier,I use all the basic model a components and don't understand,but don't criticize those who dont..SBC? flathead V8? run what you brung. Purists can't see beyond their Tacoma cream and wide white dream,and whats truly unique is that very few correct as they came from assembly model a fords exist..the clubs are full of folks who think their model a is right and love to tell you yours is wrong..that has nothing to do with cars,that has to do with the human who owns them..opinions are like assholes,everyone has one.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by WHN

What and why? I have for many years wondered why some Model A owners feel the call to add all kinds of things to their cars.

I’m a stock from the factory guy. No jewelry or speed parts.

Honest question. What do you guys like to see and why?

I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer to this question. Just interesting conversation.

Enjoy the upcoming holiday.

I have discussed this very topic on more than just a few occasions. My general feeling is it often deals with the owner's skillset. Many restorers that do Fine-point restorations are not doing it for the competition per se', but the skills that must be obtained to replicate to an exact standard of what something was. Much harder than it appears. On the opposite spectrum, many hobbyists do not possess the skillset to restore the car themselves, so they purchase a car and add things to individualize it as their own. Accessories were common add-ons back in the day, -and continue to be in this day & time.

[700rpm]

When I bought my first car at 16, in 1961, my dad said, keep it like is was built, then you’ll always know -or be able to find out how- it’s supposed to go back together. That car was a 1929 one-owner Tudor. I took dad’s advice, and I still have the car. I have kept it original as close as safely practicable, changing only the glass and adding seatbelts. My turn signals are SmartSignals and can be easily removed to make it look all original on the outside. Next spring, when the weather warms up, I will finally add a RH taillight.

I have always believed that Ford hired the best designers and engineers he could find to develop his cars, and I trust that original knowledge. I’m not smart enough to "improve" on their decisions.

And finally, I look at owning my Model A’s as a caretaker. They are historic artifacts from a bygone era, and should be preserved for future generations. I feel the same way about old houses, boats, trains, tractors, planes and myriad other remnants of times and styles past that will never be dupilicated, even if copied. Yep. i’m just an old troglodyte, born fifty years too late.

[Mister Moose]

I'm not a purist, but I did stay sorta stock, and took a few liberties.

I started with a very tired but running all black 1930 Tudor on 16" wheels. Came with 19" wheels also, and they balanced out great. Probably was Andalusite blue originally, based on the paint on the fuel tank edges. Seats had been covered in black vinyl, but the frames were all good. I didn't really like the 1930 Tudor colors, and needed some kind of turn signals. I liked the look of cowl lamps.

So I restored with a 31 deluxe Tudor mohair interior and cowl lamps. Used the cowls for front turn signals. Went with Washington Blue and Tacoma Cream, really like that color scheme. I wanted room for a larger trunk at some point, and moved the spare to a side mount. Safety glass all around, of course. Everything else is bone stock, and quite a lot of it is original. The radiator shell and cowl band came out flawless. New England Chrome Plating did great work. The horn was toast, as was the running boards. Added a right tail light.

Any knowledgeable person would know the car is "Not correct" but 99.5% of the people that talk to me have no idea, and they probably don't care. I might be the only side mount Tudor around.

0626091642-00.jpg

So far, I like driving it as it left the factory. As many have mentioned, I like keeping the time machine at 1930. All the parts and colors on the car were being produced by Ford in 1930.

[Gene F]

Originally Posted by Mister Moose

I'm not a purist, but I did stay sorta stock, and took a few liberties.

I started with a very tired but running all black 1930 Tudor on 16" wheels. Came with 19" wheels also, and they balanced out great. Probably was Andalusite blue originally, based on the paint on the fuel tank edges. Seats had been covered in black vinyl, but the frames were all good. I didn't really like the 1930 Tudor colors, and needed some kind of turn signals. I liked the look of cowl lamps.

So I restored with a 31 deluxe Tudor mohair interior and cowl lamps. Used the cowls for front turn signals. Went with Washington Blue and Tacoma Cream, really like that color scheme. I wanted room for a larger trunk at some point, and moved the spare to a side mount. Safety glass all around, of course. Everything else is bone stock, and quite a lot of it is original. The radiator shell and cowl band came out flawless. New England Chrome Plating did great work. The horn was toast, as was the running boards. Added a right tail light.

Any knowledgeable person would know the car is "Not correct" but 99.5% of the people that talk to me have no idea, and they probably don't care. I might be the only side mount Tudor around.

Attachment 448195

So far, I like driving it as it left the factory. As many have mentioned, I like keeping the time machine at 1930. All the parts and colors on the car were being produced by Ford in 1930.

Nice car. It sounds like you drive it, which is the best part.

[Mister Moose]

Originally Posted by Gene F

Nice car. It sounds like you drive it, which is the best part.

2,000 miles in 20 years, so not a lot. The early overheat issue and then the loose steering issue that followed took time to work out. (At worst we're talking 60 degrees on the wheel of slop) I'm still in the "Don't completely trust it" phase, but now with the steering down to under an inch of play it's an ice cream car, a hardware store car, a light grocery list car, a farm stand car, and I'll probably take in a few car shows next summer. Look at everyone else's Model A on my list of "Is this the way it's supposed to be???"

While some people talk about the looks and waves you get, and I get some, I also notice quite a few people that look right at me with a complete indifferent expression that looks like I'm driving a Ford Taurus.

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by Gene F

Nice car. It sounds like you drive it, which is the best part.

I agree !

[Chris Haynes]

Originally Posted by Mister Moose

Any knowledgeable person would know the car is "Not correct" but 99.5% of the people that talk to me have no idea, and they probably don't care. I might be the only side mount Tudor around.

I have heard that dealers often installed side mounts.

[GRutter]

Like myself, many of us do not own or aspire to have a fine-point restored vehicle.
I like to drive mine. It's fun, it looks great from a few feet away, and it's "mostly original".

As several have stated, I've added a second brake light. I have a NOS signalstat and will likely add turn signals in the near future. Cast Iron drums and Radial Tires already replace the originals. And the ultimate sin for pickup owners... I have a stainless shell and headlight buckets.

But beyond that, I do try to maintain originality and always looking to improve the vehicle whenever I find something that "isn't right". I have my bucket list as I find original parts. Original Commercial light buckets have been acquired.

I always try to keep in mind that we are only the temporary custodians of these vehicles, to be passed on to the the next generation at some point in time, so don't screw it up.

[DBSHELTON]

I pretty much like all Model A stock or modified as long as they still have the Banger under the hood. Really appreciate the restored points cars but the best way to appreciate one is to just drive the hell out of them.

[Bob Bidonde]

I wonder why some folks keep their Model A's stock. In a stock configuration, a Model A is not safe to drive in modern traffic. Certainly nobody of sound mind would drive a Model A with an original 2-blade fan, or original lighting, or plate glass windows, or an original radiator, or without outside mirrors. Stretching it a bit, driving a stock Model A without turn signals is hazardous.

[Licensed to kill]

The only thing that baffles me about why someone wants a detailed points restoration or someone wants a heavily modified car that is nearly unrecognizable (and of course everything in between) is why does anyone care what someone else likes. Some people get their panties in bunch when they see a car that is not how THEY prefer them and will make disparaging remarks to ensure that the owner is aware of their disapproval. The car that I refer to as "stock" is not really since i added the second tail light and signals and recently tubular shocks. The only reason I went with the tubular is that the cost of good originals was prohibitive IMO. However, it has 19" bias plys, mechanical brakes, 6V, generator, rebuilt but stock engine. The reason I don't upgrade these things??, I want to experience what these cars were like. However, I also have two hot rodded with SBC's TH350trans, yeta yeta yeta blah blah blah also. I'm sure that a few reading this are shaking their head when reading that i run bias ply tires and mechanical brakes thinking that this is unsafe. I disagree. I know that there are others whos blood pressure spiked when they read "SBC". I don't care. I do what I like with MY cars and when someone has a car with features that i DON'T like, it doesn't matter because it's not MY car. If it makes the owner happy, awesome. If it is well done, i will comment as such but refrain from commenting on "taste" as that is a personal thing. If you wouldn't tell a stranger that you think his wife should lose weight or change her hair colour, don't tell them that they should run a banger or 16" wheels on their model A. JMO.

[Bob-A]

I try and stay as stock as possible on my "A". Safety up-grades are just that
as they are for the safety of me and other drivers. As far as "accessory" add-ons I try and stay era correct if not year correct. With the add-ons being original and not reproduction.


Bob-A

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Well said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. "Can't we all just get along?"