The Ford Barn

30-FordGuy · 07-12-2010, 11:40 AM

Hi all,

I just got a 1930 Model A Sport Coupe from my father-in-law. It is a beauty!

However, I really have no idea how to work on them, best way to drive them (apart from the advise he has given me up to this point), and any big dos and do nots about them.

Could anyone point me in the direction of a book I can read to acclimate myself, and maybe use as a reference? Also, any tips for a new owner? I just learned to drive a stick, and I really know nothing (well, not much, anyway) about cars in general.

Also, I'd like to find some model A clubs in my area - is there a resource for that? I live in Butler, PA - just north of Pittsburgh.

Thanks!
Jon

JunkOSC · 07-12-2010, 11:44 AM

Les Andrews, Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook Vol. 1 is a must have.

Steve Ciccalone · 07-12-2010, 11:56 AM

If that picture is your car that is a cabriolet, not a sport coupe. Much more desireable than a sport coupe. You must be a good son-in-law.

30-FordGuy · 07-12-2010, 11:59 AM

Oh.... so what is the full name of it? I thought it was a Ford Model A Cabriolet Sport Coupe. Is it just a Ford Model A Cabriolet?

I can't say I'm a good son-in-law, but he's got a great daughter!!!! haha

Super88 · 07-12-2010, 12:13 PM

Ditto on the suggestion of Les Andrews Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook Vol. 1. Vol. 2 has a lot of great info also. They are both well illustrated and easy to understand, plus the spiral binding allows them to lay flat, which might not seem like a big deal until you have to keep looking for the page you were on while you're working on the car and your hands are dirty.

Scott NY · 07-12-2010, 12:18 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

You could go to 2 National Clubs website and look for local clubs in your area. MAFCA.com (Model A Ford Club of America) & modelarestores.org (Model A Restores Club) Both clubs offer books also.

PO51 · 07-12-2010, 12:24 PM

Jon,
Congrats on your Cabriolet, it looks to be in great shape. There is a Cabriolet Club if you have questions specific to your car. On the 1930 look for a Briggs body tag on the firewall, that number will help in establishing when your car was built several Cabriolet owners have lists, They just established with in a few days of when my 1929 68 A was built. Your car is a 68 B body style.
Good luck
Steve

30-FordGuy · 07-13-2010, 08:12 PM

Thanks for all the great info. I am definitely going to get the Les Andrews book, and check out those few websites. I really appreciate all the comments you all took the time to write.

Just wanted to post a few more pictures here, and say thanks. Hopefully I'll someday be more of a help to this forum, rather than constantly asking all the questions!!

Thanks,
Jon

Jack '29 Sport Coupe · 07-13-2010, 09:04 PM

As you can see from my picture, my Sport Coupe looks a lot
like a cabriolet until you take a closer look-----and then just
wait until you try to put the top down!

welcome to a
fascinating hobby. This is a great place to ask and learn about
"Henry's Lady."

Jack

CWPASADENA · 07-13-2010, 09:14 PM

Hi FordGuy;

Welcome to the Hobby.

It looks like you have a VERY NICE Cabriolet there.

This is one of the nicest Body Styles Ford made. It was also one of the more expensive models when it was new.

Enjoy your "New" Model A.

Chris

henry494 · 07-13-2010, 09:48 PM

Jon,
Judging by the "eyebrow" front fenders, that is, the bead extends around the front of the fenders, your Cabriolet is an early 1930. They only used those fenders a few months. From the few photos, it appears to be nicely restored. Congratualtions. Join BOTH national Model A Clubs. They offer excellent magazines, and they are not the same clubs. There are subtle differences that a person can benefit from both. It's worth it.

Jack '29 Sport Coupe · 07-14-2010, 08:58 AM

Many owners of "Henry's" cars name them after someone special.
Have you done so? If so, is it your father in law's name, LOL.

Jack

Frank Nemo · 07-14-2010, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWPASADENA

Hi FordGuy;

Welcome to the Hobby.

It looks like you have a VERY NICE Cabriolet there.

This is one of the nicest Body Styles Ford made. It was also one of the more expensive models when it was new.

Enjoy your "New" Model A.

Chris

As Chris mentioned it was one of the most expensive models when new, I might add it still is!

Charlie Stephens · 07-14-2010, 01:56 PM

Be sure to get a copy of the Instruction Book that Ford supplied with the car. They are available as a reproduction for about $10 from any of the dealers. Try to get one about the time your car was built as there are subtle differences in the illustrations.

Charlie Stephens

kp · 07-14-2010, 02:27 PM

Nice car ! Hope the Mother In Law is as nice as the Father in Law .

07-12-2010, 11:44 AM	#2
JunkOSC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chandler, AZ./Eagle Rock, MO. Posts: 108	Re: New 1930 Sport Coupe owner... Les Andrews, Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook Vol. 1 is a must have.

07-12-2010, 11:56 AM	#3
Steve Ciccalone Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: "Live Free or Die!" Posts: 510	Re: New 1930 Sport Coupe owner... If that picture is your car that is a cabriolet, not a sport coupe. Much more desireable than a sport coupe. You must be a good son-in-law. __________________ "A wet bird doesn't fly at night."

07-12-2010, 11:59 AM	#4
30-FordGuy Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 7	Re: New 1930 Sport Coupe owner... Oh.... so what is the full name of it? I thought it was a Ford Model A Cabriolet Sport Coupe. Is it just a Ford Model A Cabriolet? I can't say I'm a good son-in-law, but he's got a great daughter!!!! haha

07-12-2010, 12:13 PM	#5
Super88 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SE Corner of WI Posts: 169	Re: New 1930 Sport Coupe owner... Ditto on the suggestion of Les Andrews Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook Vol. 1. Vol. 2 has a lot of great info also. They are both well illustrated and easy to understand, plus the spiral binding allows them to lay flat, which might not seem like a big deal until you have to keep looking for the page you were on while you're working on the car and your hands are dirty.

07-12-2010, 12:18 PM	#6
Scott NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manlius New York Posts: 169	Re: New 1930 Sport Coupe owner... Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You could go to 2 National Clubs website and look for local clubs in your area. MAFCA.com (Model A Ford Club of America) & modelarestores.org (Model A Restores Club) Both clubs offer books also.

07-12-2010, 12:24 PM	#7
PO51 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Upland Ca Posts: 274	Re: New 1930 Sport Coupe owner... Jon, Congrats on your Cabriolet, it looks to be in great shape. There is a Cabriolet Club if you have questions specific to your car. On the 1930 look for a Briggs body tag on the firewall, that number will help in establishing when your car was built several Cabriolet owners have lists, They just established with in a few days of when my 1929 68 A was built. Your car is a 68 B body style. Good luck Steve

07-13-2010, 09:04 PM	#9
Jack '29 Sport Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 798	Re: New 1930 Sport Coupe owner... As you can see from my picture, my Sport Coupe looks a lot like a cabriolet until you take a closer look-----and then just wait until you try to put the top down! welcome to a fascinating hobby. This is a great place to ask and learn about "Henry's Lady." Jack __________________ Cincinnati, Ohio Last edited by Jack '29 Sport Coupe; 07-14-2010 at 08:16 AM.

07-13-2010, 09:14 PM	#10
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,884	Re: New 1930 Sport Coupe owner... Hi FordGuy; Welcome to the Hobby. It looks like you have a VERY NICE Cabriolet there. This is one of the nicest Body Styles Ford made. It was also one of the more expensive models when it was new. Enjoy your "New" Model A. Chris

07-13-2010, 09:48 PM	#11
henry494 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Simi Valley, California Posts: 193	Re: New 1930 Sport Coupe owner... Jon, Judging by the "eyebrow" front fenders, that is, the bead extends around the front of the fenders, your Cabriolet is an early 1930. They only used those fenders a few months. From the few photos, it appears to be nicely restored. Congratualtions. Join BOTH national Model A Clubs. They offer excellent magazines, and they are not the same clubs. There are subtle differences that a person can benefit from both. It's worth it.

07-14-2010, 08:58 AM	#12
Jack '29 Sport Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 798	Re: New 1930 Sport Coupe owner... Many owners of "Henry's" cars name them after someone special. Have you done so? If so, is it your father in law's name, LOL. Jack __________________ Cincinnati, Ohio

07-14-2010, 01:56 PM	#14
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,032	Re: New 1930 Sport Coupe owner... Be sure to get a copy of the Instruction Book that Ford supplied with the car. They are available as a reproduction for about $10 from any of the dealers. Try to get one about the time your car was built as there are subtle differences in the illustrations. Charlie Stephens

07-14-2010, 02:27 PM	#15
kp Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wimberley ,Tx. Posts: 232	Re: New 1930 Sport Coupe owner... Nice car ! Hope the Mother In Law is as nice as the Father in Law .