Purchase Advise: 1930 Model A Tudor

[vespaholic]

OK! I bought it!!
I put coolant and water in it.
Started right up after holding the choke for a while.
Sounds like it has a very very slight lean backfire.
Fuel bowl was cloudy, valve tight so I'm thinking a carb rebuild and a complete fuel system clean out will be first on the list.
Drives, shifts and stops fine.
The dealer suggested the brake job because one shoe is very worn the others not so bad.
That tells me it was not adjusted properly or ???
Either way it stops well enough for "around the block" test drives.
No milky sh*t in the engine oil or the radiator so I'm guessing the head gasket is ok.
No coolant leaks anywhere except from one of the hoses and that stopped after a few minutes.
Changing all fluids will be after the engine is running well.
The dealer is delivering it to my house at no additional charge so that's a plus.
I really really misheard the dealer about the estimated time of "restoration" on this car.
He estimates at least 40 years ago not 20….my bad.
There was a cars and coffee at the dealer this AM.
A Model A guy was there and he told me he thought it was a good car and was actually there to possibly buy it.
We talked a lot about the car and he said I got a good deal.
Anyway….thanks for all the advice.
I'll keep you in the loop as I move forward.
Thanks!!

[ronn]

from the photos, you stole the car. much nicer then originally described!

looks like you are sitting on a car worth double..................

best of luck with your new toy!

[vespaholic]

Thanks Ronn!

[Anteek29]

Looks like a humdinger of a buy...enjoy it!

[99ZoomR]

Looks great! I bought my A last September (she's a 30 year old restoration) and have spent the last two months learning how to drive and maintain an A. If you don't already have it, get Les Andrews Model A mechanic's handbook. Change all the fluids before driving it very much. It takes less time to change coolant, oil, trans, and rear end fluids in an A than it does to change oil in any modern car. Also locate and grease all the fittings, and check every nut and bolt to make sure they're still tight. There are lots of cotter pins used, so make sure they've been installed. After you get this done, have fun learning how to time your A, and enjoy fiddling, polishing, and refurbishing her back to her former glory. Keep us posted!!

Len

[Mitch//pa]

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i agree much nicer than i envisioned from the original description. as with any old car there most likely will be issues thats inevitable. are you having them do any of the work or just getting it as is?
good luck with it

[barnstuf]

You mentioned you did not see any bondo. If that is a concern take a weak magnet such as you might use to put
a photo on your refrigerator, Run the weak magnet along the lower moldings. If there is bondo it will drop off and if real metal it will adhere to it. If the seller has the engine warm and running when you come to see the car then beware, as the engine when cold may have a knock he does not want you to hear. When opening the doors look for a sag, evan a slight sag.

[1931 flamingo]

CONGRATULATIONS ! ! ! ! LOOKS LIKE YOU STOLE IT ! !
RUN, Fast.
Paul in CT

[C26Pinelake]

Looks like you made a good buy! I also like the whitewalls on it. Do the things you say and keep us posted! Wayne

[1930artdeco]

Yep! looks like you got a good deal as far as the body and interior go. Just make sure she is safe to drive (brakes, fluids etc.) and then drive her and learn how she works. Do some minor tinkering over the winter and next spring/summer you will have a great car to drive around in.

Mike

[Tacoma Bob]

MMMM a dilemma for sure. Think with your wallet and not your heart. In my case I bought a 30 Tudor in 2002. It was in somewhat similar shape. I gave the asking price of 8 grand. within the next three years I invested another 8 grand. It still could use a new interior and body and paint. It has been a reliable runner and I did everything right. The initial price is very good but it will take way more than tow grand to get it reliable . Not to mention a lot of work.

[Dennis Pereira]

Enjoy your purchase I sold a 1928 closed cab truck for the same price that needed everything it was just a shell on a frame . The buyer would not listen to me about what was needed .

[vespaholic]

Thanks all.
I am fairly excited, but trying to relax.
It won't be here until Thursday.
Next weekend I'll clean out the fuel system.
Thanks again for the advise!

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Congratulations - that car looks GREAT for the $$, let the journey begin!! :-)

[Tom Wesenberg]

You did say $4,000 was the down payment and the other half was due on delivery........didn't you?

I can't believe they sold it so cheap. It would easily go for twice that at auction or ebay.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by vespaholic

So all in I could have a running driving safe A for $6000 or less.

Is that a good price?

YES great price!!

[beechboy]

Great looking car. I spent more for my 28 Tudor last year and is nowhere close to the condition as yours. Congrats

[Hoogah]

Congrats Vespa. Looks great and will be the source of much fun and some frustration!
No-one has mentioned the white walls. Bonus!

[mhsprecher]

Piling on, but it looks great. I don't have the photo hawk eyes that a lot of people on the forum have, but it looks really good to me. Hard to believe they sold it that cheaply. Maybe a few things will show up, they always do, but still seems like a steal.

[vespaholic]

Thanks again to all for the comments, support and compliments.
I was talking to my buddy this AM, he's not an A guy but went with me to the cars & coffee yesterday and to look at the car.
I left early, he stayed later.
He knows the dealer and is friendly with the guys that own the place.
His impression was that they wanted to help the owner, this was a consignment car, but it was turning into quite a project.
Essentially the owner just wanted to get rid of it.
The owner paid for an inspection and a new battery from the dealer.
There was an issue with the title (since resolved with the state - 100% for sure) that the estate took care of before the dealer would start marketing the car.
That was a 6-7 month process while this car took up space in the dealership.
Bottom line… the dealer wanted it out of his place and the owner wanted it gone.
I guess I was at the right place at the right time…..we'll have to see once I delve into it.
I was actually initially at the dealer to look at a 1930 Rumble Seat Coupe and spotted this car sitting in the corner.
Dumb luck!!