The Ford Barn

ronn · 01-18-2023, 06:01 AM

going to look at one of these this week. do these still have a ton of wood or did they follow the 4 dr slant with almost no wood?

thanks!

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 01-18-2023, 07:19 AM

Nahh Ronn, unfortunately there is still a small forest inside of one. Pictures of one we did below kinda tell the story.

One other critical area to look at is the folding landau bars. These are restorable however they are often overlooked and the joints become sloppy over time. This can cause issues such as pinching the top or not allowing the top to remain wrinkle free over time. These are arguably one of the most desirable Model-As simply because of their practicality and classy-ness however the age of these today makes most of the unrestored (-or amaturely restored) ones of these very labor intensive and costly to restore properly.

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Oldbluoval · 01-18-2023, 08:18 AM

All cabby’s are full of wood as Brent shows. The difference in slant and others is the slant has all steel doors….a big improvement.
It is a very costly resto and parts are scarce if needed. They are loaded with plated parts which, again, ups the resto tab.
Cabby, A400 and 180A are not for the faint of heart or those “light in the billfold”!

ronn · 01-18-2023, 12:01 PM

thank you gents! just what I needed to hear from two of the finest experts on the board.

I wasnt sure how far Henry went on all of the various models.
The car Im looking at is a driver and I will be sure to check out the roof line and door pillars.

31 Woody · 01-18-2023, 02:43 PM

Is there wood in the doors? I see the floor support, the belt-line/top back, windshield header, and top bows. Is there more?

Oldbluoval · 01-18-2023, 04:53 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

As noted in my post ….
All cabby had wooden frame doors until the 68C (slant).
It had all steel doors. Much improved

ronn · 01-22-2023, 09:41 AM

ronn · 01-22-2023, 09:41 AM

this is the car Im going to look at.

opinions on value?

larrys40 · 01-22-2023, 10:16 AM

What kind of money are they asking? It looks like a decent body . See how the doors fit and subrail wood condition. I have a couple of them and upgraded to the one below I’m restoring for myself last year… and will sell the other one I bought in 2012. Which needs everything as most do. It’s wise to give a bit more for excellent sheetmetal which is what I did. Wood is certainly doable but just takes time as does any correctly done restoration.

As Brent and Bill said there are lots of details and plated parts and interconnected fit points of the body/doors/ top/ other parts and components .

Larry Shepard

larrys40 · 01-22-2023, 10:24 AM

….. was dup

ronn · 01-22-2023, 10:25 AM

Hi Larry,
looks like you have a nice car there. I had a 1930 cab that needed everything, and decided to let it go. It went to England. So I have been looking for something better and will let one of my roadsters go as well. Im lookiing at the slant, a 400s and 180s.
the condition of the car Im looking at is where I want to be. Dont want a full restoration, just a driver to improve upon.
The red upholstery doesnt excite me, but at least it looks clean and decent.

heading out now to see it. will go from there.....

HalcyonDays · 01-22-2023, 11:02 AM

He is asking $12,500. seem like a fair price. Depending on your plans for it would determine if it was a good value to you. Drive it "as is" or "restore" and if "restore" to what level of restoration. I do like the 68c's.

larrys40 · 01-22-2023, 11:18 AM

I think the 12,500 is probably A fair price as long as the sheetmetal is good, not patched up and subrail wood is useable. The top and interior can be redone if desired or used as is and enjoyed till you decide to do more. To me if you want this body style bolt on shower metal and mechanics are secondary and easily replaced/restored but if purchasing can be an element in your decision. Looks like Avery decent body . Know window frames/door latches/ window regulators and such are all hard to find parts for these.

Great to see these cars getting passed to younger caring hands.
Best of luck… don’t let a grand or so one way or another sour it for you.
Larry Shepard

Oldbluoval · 01-22-2023, 11:45 AM

Larry is spot on. I could pick at it but not necessary. Black top leaves me cold but to each their own. Wiper motor way wrong.
I’d say it’s worth that unless full of filler and most parts are there…garnish molds, correct top parts, window surrounds ok…etc. hard to assess from a pic.

ronn · 01-22-2023, 01:46 PM

I took a look and I passed. There is some small rot, not terrible but......

it started for a minute, but he couldnt keep it running. guess the price is fair, if its truly what you want. I have seen fully restored old restorations not sell in the 20-23k range and think that would be a better bang for the buck.
it also doesnt have a title, but that dont concern me none. it comes with a reg.

and yes Brent, I checked the landau bars and they will need to be rebushed, they are as loose as a goose........

larrys40 · 01-22-2023, 09:35 PM

The landau bar issue is fairly common but correctable with careful work . On unrestored cars there’s usually some issue somewhere. If it’s cowl that’s fixable if at the back a bit more challenging. Deck lid door fit. Maybe it’s a card to get him to come down a bit .
Like Bill said the top can be dealt with. Check to see if the triple hinge is in tact or broken as is common. That’s the hinge that the top bows connect to that is behind the door pillar .

Larry

ronn · 01-23-2023, 07:06 AM

Larry, I didnt go any further with it. guessing the canvas top to be about 40 yrs old and pretty dry, so expect to replace that. The rot on the body was all fixable, mostly on the bottom bead by the cowl (typical on all As) the front fender showing has a rot hole through it where the brace supports it. The bead behind the doors bottom needs replacement on both sides. the battery is hanging between the rear bumpers. guess it was hard to get at for the previous owner. The red interior is a none starter for me, but just fine as one is doing restoration work.

as I said, not a bad car, but $ better spent on a better car.

ronn · 02-15-2023, 07:45 PM

well I recd an email and decided to go pick it up this evening.
will sell another to make space for this one.

Looking forward to "cleaning it up".

Chuck Dempsey · 02-15-2023, 08:46 PM

Good Luck! Let us know of any really surprising issues you find....

ronn · 02-16-2023, 07:46 AM

disecting it now Chuck. dash has what looks to be original green pinstripe, so I guess I will shoot for apple green wheels and dark brown interior.
I am used to using pencil filters, but obviously cant on this one. will just use inline.
going to run some gas through the tank and see how much dirt comes out.
the rear window was installed crooked. that will drive me crazy! lol
still not sure where the "triple" hinge is in the roof, previously mentioned?

01-18-2023, 06:01 AM	#1
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,791	late 31 cab slant................ going to look at one of these this week. do these still have a ton of wood or did they follow the 4 dr slant with almost no wood? thanks!

01-18-2023, 08:18 AM	#3
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,372	Re: late 31 cab slant................ All cabby’s are full of wood as Brent shows. The difference in slant and others is the slant has all steel doors….a big improvement. It is a very costly resto and parts are scarce if needed. They are loaded with plated parts which, again, ups the resto tab. Cabby, A400 and 180A are not for the faint of heart or those “light in the billfold”!

01-18-2023, 12:01 PM	#4
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,791	Re: late 31 cab slant................ thank you gents! just what I needed to hear from two of the finest experts on the board. I wasnt sure how far Henry went on all of the various models. The car Im looking at is a driver and I will be sure to check out the roof line and door pillars.

01-18-2023, 02:43 PM	#5
31 Woody Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Lake Forest, California Posts: 239	Re: late 31 cab slant................ Is there wood in the doors? I see the floor support, the belt-line/top back, windshield header, and top bows. Is there more? __________________ Experience is a cruel teacher. It gives the exam first, then the lesson.

01-18-2023, 04:53 PM	#6
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,372	Re: late 31 cab slant................ Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) As noted in my post …. All cabby had wooden frame doors until the 68C (slant). It had all steel doors. Much improved

01-22-2023, 09:41 AM	#7
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,791	Re: late 31 cab slant................

01-22-2023, 10:24 AM	#10
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 1,998	Re: late 31 cab slant................ ….. was dup

01-22-2023, 10:25 AM	#11
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,791	Re: late 31 cab slant................ Hi Larry, looks like you have a nice car there. I had a 1930 cab that needed everything, and decided to let it go. It went to England. So I have been looking for something better and will let one of my roadsters go as well. Im lookiing at the slant, a 400s and 180s. the condition of the car Im looking at is where I want to be. Dont want a full restoration, just a driver to improve upon. The red upholstery doesnt excite me, but at least it looks clean and decent. heading out now to see it. will go from there.....

01-22-2023, 11:02 AM	#12
HalcyonDays Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Maine Posts: 224	Re: late 31 cab slant................ He is asking $12,500. seem like a fair price. Depending on your plans for it would determine if it was a good value to you. Drive it "as is" or "restore" and if "restore" to what level of restoration. I do like the 68c's.

01-22-2023, 11:18 AM	#13
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 1,998	Re: late 31 cab slant................ I think the 12,500 is probably A fair price as long as the sheetmetal is good, not patched up and subrail wood is useable. The top and interior can be redone if desired or used as is and enjoyed till you decide to do more. To me if you want this body style bolt on shower metal and mechanics are secondary and easily replaced/restored but if purchasing can be an element in your decision. Looks like Avery decent body . Know window frames/door latches/ window regulators and such are all hard to find parts for these. Great to see these cars getting passed to younger caring hands. Best of luck… don’t let a grand or so one way or another sour it for you. Larry Shepard

01-22-2023, 11:45 AM	#14
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,372	Re: late 31 cab slant................ Larry is spot on. I could pick at it but not necessary. Black top leaves me cold but to each their own. Wiper motor way wrong. I’d say it’s worth that unless full of filler and most parts are there…garnish molds, correct top parts, window surrounds ok…etc. hard to assess from a pic.

01-22-2023, 01:46 PM	#15
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,791	Re: late 31 cab slant................ I took a look and I passed. There is some small rot, not terrible but...... it started for a minute, but he couldnt keep it running. guess the price is fair, if its truly what you want. I have seen fully restored old restorations not sell in the 20-23k range and think that would be a better bang for the buck. it also doesnt have a title, but that dont concern me none. it comes with a reg. and yes Brent, I checked the landau bars and they will need to be rebushed, they are as loose as a goose........ Last edited by ronn; 01-22-2023 at 02:08 PM.

01-22-2023, 09:35 PM	#16
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 1,998	Re: late 31 cab slant................ The landau bar issue is fairly common but correctable with careful work . On unrestored cars there’s usually some issue somewhere. If it’s cowl that’s fixable if at the back a bit more challenging. Deck lid door fit. Maybe it’s a card to get him to come down a bit . Like Bill said the top can be dealt with. Check to see if the triple hinge is in tact or broken as is common. That’s the hinge that the top bows connect to that is behind the door pillar . Larry

01-23-2023, 07:06 AM	#17
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,791	Re: late 31 cab slant................ Larry, I didnt go any further with it. guessing the canvas top to be about 40 yrs old and pretty dry, so expect to replace that. The rot on the body was all fixable, mostly on the bottom bead by the cowl (typical on all As) the front fender showing has a rot hole through it where the brace supports it. The bead behind the doors bottom needs replacement on both sides. the battery is hanging between the rear bumpers. guess it was hard to get at for the previous owner. The red interior is a none starter for me, but just fine as one is doing restoration work. as I said, not a bad car, but $ better spent on a better car.

02-15-2023, 07:45 PM	#18
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,791	Re: late 31 cab slant................ well I recd an email and decided to go pick it up this evening. will sell another to make space for this one. Looking forward to "cleaning it up".

02-15-2023, 08:46 PM	#19
Chuck Dempsey Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waynesville, NC Posts: 788	Re: late 31 cab slant................ Good Luck! Let us know of any really surprising issues you find....

02-16-2023, 07:46 AM	#20
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,791	Re: late 31 cab slant................ disecting it now Chuck. dash has what looks to be original green pinstripe, so I guess I will shoot for apple green wheels and dark brown interior. I am used to using pencil filters, but obviously cant on this one. will just use inline. going to run some gas through the tank and see how much dirt comes out. the rear window was installed crooked. that will drive me crazy! lol still not sure where the "triple" hinge is in the roof, previously mentioned?