Ford Model A | Buyer's Guide

As host Danny Hopkins, editor of Practical Classics magazine, puts it in our latest buyers guide video, driving a Ford Model A is completely addictive. Produced from 1928 to 1930 in numbers exceeding 5 million, there are still plenty of these "absolutely fantastic" vehicles to be had. Follow along as Danny goes over the ins and outs of these cars, including typical problem areas.
Special thanks to the Bicester Heritage Center for providing the location for this video: bicesterheritag...
Subscribe! | bit.ly/1sddOmD
Visit our website for daily automotive news, cars stories, reviews, and opinion: www.hagerty.co...
Stay up to date by signing up for our email newsletters here: www.hagerty.co...
Follow us on social media:
Facebook | / hagerty
Instagram | / hagerty
Twitter | / hagerty
If you love cars, you belong with us. Hagerty Drivers Club is the world’s largest community for automotive enthusiasts. Members enjoy valuable automotive discounts, exclusive events and experiences, roadside service created specifically for collector vehicles, and a subscription to the bimonthly Hagerty Drivers Club magazine. Join Hagerty Drivers Club here: www.hagerty.co...
Like what you see? Watch our other series including:
Redline Rebuild | Engine Time-lapse videos from start to finish bit.ly/RedlineR...
Barn Find Hunter | Tom Cotter searches the country for abandoned cars bit.ly/BarnFInd...
Hagerty's Daily Driver | Industry news, buzz, and interviews bit.ly/HagertyD...
Chip Foose Draws a Car | Reimagining popular cars with new designs bit.ly/HagertyC...
Contact us:
Suggest and feedback - [e-mail]
Press inquiries - [e-mail]
Partnership requests - [e-mail]

[@lukespack]

Beautiful car on the outside & inside. My family had one from 1938 to sometime in post war 40's. Yes I am in my 80's.

[@DrCruel]

It's ones like you what are killing the American car industry. Buy a new car, you cheap old bastard. (Of course I'm jealous. What of it.)

[@mafcawebmaster4237]

The car in this video is a 1931 De Luxe Tudor Sedan, manufactured only from June 1931 to the end of the year. Only 24,000 of these were made in those 6 or so months. The De Luxe Tudor was different from the Standard Tudor in the interior, having De Luxe upholstery, wood-grained dash and window mouldings, dome light, and carpets. The DT sold for $525 US as opposed to the $495 of the Standard Tudor. I own one - she's a great car and I drive her at least once a week.

[@DD-uf2uo]

One thing I want to mention, the Choke rod does 2 things. 1. It chokes the engine. 2. It is also used to change the Air Fuel ratio mixture by turning it in the direction needed. Side note. Even though I know how to operate a Ford Model A, I'm sure most younger people can't because new cars have computers to regulate air fuel mixture, ignition timing ECT. So before someone tries to operate a Model A properly, they would need to be taught quite a bit first. The operator (Driver) becomes the Computer, making decisions for what needs to be done. Also, I remember when I was young, old-timers use to tell me they noticed when it was Really foggy (lots of moisture in the air), the Model A Engine would idle Extra Smooth. Nice car. .

[@wilkesjournal]

The commentator mentioned the two-blade fan, so a few words about it are in order. The original was made of several pieces of stamped steel, fastened together. If your car has one of these, inspect it very carefully, looking for cracks near the center by the water pump shaft. If the fan has any, replace it immediately, or risk having it fly apart and damage your hood and/or radiator. This fan is considered dangerous enough that some show-judges did not deduct points for having a later, flat replacement fan with four blades. More recently, a better quality reproduction two-blade became available, that is made of cast metal, but is shaped like the original. So if your Model A has an original two-blade fan, inspect it carefully for cracks.

[@oldnick4707]

Good to know! I have just the rolling chassis and drivetrain of a 29' truck. It has the blade welded up from stampings like you've described. I did a double-take when i niticed this! It looks, from a couple of feet away, like a casting already! Mine appears fine, but I'll use the spray type 'Magnaflux' material on it to make sure! Good tip!

[@Thomas63r2]

When I was a boy, I read a grisly story in the newspaper about a teenager who was next to the engine while another boy was revving the engine. A blade came off and struck him in the neck. Inspecting the fan blade on any older car is sound advice

[@timnewman1172]

This. If you are planning to drive it and it hasn't been changed, just replace it & be done with it...

[@dianaclark5161]

I lived in New Zealand during WW2. Gas was rationed 1 gallon per month !!!. Kerosene used for lighting in rural areas was not rationed. By running a fuel line copper tube around the exhaust manifold and installing a change over valve one could start a model A on gas then when the exhaust was hot enough one could run the low compression engine on kerosene.

[@clockguy2]

I thought you blokes were running everything on wood gas in WWII?

[@psk1w1]

During WW2 my father ran motorbikes on a mixture of petrol (gasoline to Americans) and methanol, which he could get off ration. It made his fuel ration last a lot longer

[@robertjenson960]

Comment was made by Jim Ervin about "going 55 or so on the freeway". I was the "proud owner" of a 1929 Model A - soft top that was fixed in place with landau irons to make it look like a "convertible", rumble seat, and missing passenger side window. This was my transportation my senior year of high school. Very simple, reliable mostly - ignition switch failed once, and the bulb at the bottom of the steering column with the electrics burned up coming into the high school parking lot. Other than that, a fun car! Back to Jim's comment - my family relocated from Yuma AZ to Phoenix AZ, in June, and I drove the A, having a one hour head start on my folks as it wasn't as speedy as the Hudson. To the point: Coming down the mountain about 30 miles from Yuma, I exceeded the 45 mph limit that my Dad had imposed on me, and in a few minutes time the engine had begun to knock very badly. I pulled off the side of the road at a place called Dateland and waited for my folks to show up. About 40 minutes later (the desert gets a bit warm in June), they pull up wondering why I'm stopped. I showed my Dad what the car sounded like, and his determination was that it was worn out main bearings and possibly rods. The end result was that the rest of the drive to Phoenix was at a top speed of 25 mph ( did I mention that the desert gets HOT in June?). I gained an appreciation for all our ancestors that came West in covered wagons!! Fortunately at the time, there was a shop that poured babbit bearings, so we pulled the engine and had the shop pour new bearings and then we reassembled the engine into the car. So to make a short story long - unless you've got super bearings in the engine, keep the speed down.

[@Citizen_Snips1]

Jim, thanks for sharing that wonderful story. The Model A had a top speed from the factory at 65 MPH (For short bursts), and should cruise happily between 45-55 MPH all day. If any Model A can't exceed 45 MPH, then something is clearly wrong with the car. P.S The name for a that particular Model A is a "Sports Coupe".

[@chrisvillines9934]

I love classic cars, work of art and a peice of history !!

[@jryer1]

It is truly absolutely brilliant. The Model A is probably my favorite car of all time!

[@Michael_Scott_Howard]

Spot on! More fun to drive at a nice 40mph than anything else! Also the 31' Tudor is "late" 31' (last few month of production)... like mine since it has an indented firewall where the fuel valve is...

[@modeladenny1218]

Thank Pennsylvania for that.

[@omegaman1409]

This is the vintage car I would love to show off. It looks so attractive.

[@tomcollins530]

We own and drive a Fordor Murray Ford, it is a 1931. In 32 an A became a B and introduced the V8 at a reasonable price. Chevrolet featured a good 6 cyl. The firewall fuel valve appears to be from a late model. Many A owners retrofitted the Mod B tires and wheels. Ours enjoys this upgrade.

[@modeladenny1218]

Pa was the reason Ford went to the outside fuel shut off in May 1931 and why the cowl lite was invented.

[@ivanolsen8596]

Ha Gerty, you have done it again, brilliant piece on a brilliant vehicle, our family owned several in the 40s and 50s, wish I had one now!

[@ddkoda]

Well presented guide; conveys the excitement most people experience when they own and drive a Model A. Gorgeous four tone paint scheme including inset on radiator shroud and dash board. One can understand why Ford authorized the reproduction of Model A's for a short time c. 1971.

[@jacknedry3925]

ddkoda, Really?

[@modeladenny1218]

I think '79-81 SHAY.

[@DanielCollins85]

I love these buyer's guide videos, could you please do a 1969 Mustang Mach 1 buyer's guide? There's a lot of them for sale and a lot of misinformation about them!

[@hugh-johnfleming289]

First learn the codes. So many clones. Then look at Cougars. So many Sheepstangs.

[@craigpennington1251]

Wow! The one shown at the start is an absolute beauty.

[@MrElmoCA]

Gorgeous vehicle and solid advice! Wish I had one.

[@edwardviolante4354]

A friend used to have a 1934 version of this with the flathead V8.It was a wonderful car.

[@dianaclark5161]

+Edward Violante That was a model B

[@KDoyle4]

+Kenneth Clark Actually the model B was a 4 cylinder. The 1934 V8 was a model 40.

[@5Puff]

@@KDoyle4 wrong, the model b was a v8. That's how the ford v8 came to be in the first place

[@KDoyle4]

@@5Puff For 1932-1934, the Model B was the improved 4 cylinder car. The 1932 Model 18 was the new V8. The Model 18 V8 was replaced by the Model 48 V8 for 1935.

[@modeladenny1218]

The Model B engine was an improved Model A engine with added oil filter and higher compression. For those afraid of the new V-8 the new Model B was another choice.

[@fasx56]

What a beautiful restoration, nice color tone choice.

[@blackbirdpie217]

I have issue with one thing you said. The Model A Ford was a very late comer to the modern control configuration. By 1928 every other car had clutch, brake and accelerator on the floor and gearshift on a stick. Ford was hanging on to model T production until the car was obsolete. In fact, the first car that had modern controls was the cadillac of 1916, 12 years before the Model A ford was first built! By 1927 everyone was wondering why Ford was still making that slow, strange car the model T.

[@SpockvsMcCoy]

Henry Ford resisted engineering advancements until he died in 1947. Plymouth was the best engineered low-priced car.

[@samsung5181]

Thats a great point of view, even old cars should run awesome for the year, if not fix it.

[@elosogonzalez8739]

Stunning restoration! If someone was looking to buy a Ford Model A, was there a better year of production? I know refinements were made during production, but as I understand, they were all minor.

[@modeladenny1218]

Many just buy a decent A of any year. I've had many years and body styles. Since my first project was a 1931 deluxe coupe I recently bought what my wife and I wanted for over 60+ years. Our new old 1931 deluxe phaeton. Living in Illinois, I now realize i should have gotten a Victoria or any closed car. I didn't watch the buyers Guide soon enough. By 1930-31 Model A's were a bit larger and just seem better with the stainless trim.

[@elosogonzalez8739]

@@modeladenny1218 Thanks!

[@Ichigo_Keba]

I want one even more now. How was the roadster? That’s what I am really looking at for a model A

[@hugh-johnfleming289]

Wonderful cars to drive. Ad a radio, battery powered, and upgrade the brakes if you are going to drive them a bunch. Worth every penny.

[@modeladenny1218]

Mine has 46-48 hydraulic brakes. Those could be upgraded to disc.

[@NoorElahi1776]

This video does nothing to answer the great question in my life: "Do I buy an A or a T?" Admittedly, nothing seems to answer that question. I suppose the answer is to just earn more money and buy one of each. I suppose that means I need to get to work, lol! Thanks for the videos!

[@robertmencl9169]

Noor, if you want to drive it, buy an A.

[@jameswil7687]

What you looking for?

[@sirboomsalot4902]

I hear A's can actually be driven on the road by a sane person

[@justaguy2738]

The model A’s are may I dare say PRACTICAL . at least compared to the T

[@truthbetold7444]

There's an old saying: "If you want a hobby, buy a T, if you want to drive, buy an A."

[@acmeradioinc]

I have to say there are a lot of fun to drive very reliable

[@abandonedwayamoon8749]

What a beautiful car I can't wait to get one asap !

[@-Gunnarsson-]

with A tommy and a cigaar then its complete

[@reconvertings]

Haha that’s funny

[@danikoo582]

And a Fedora

[@TheHaiku2]

God, that's a beauty.

[@thetechreviewers33]

Yeah... And even with those big engines you'd still get better gas millage than a modern car and you'd... Get a more reliable car... Think about it, these things still goes 100 years after production... while... Your new Mondeo will brake down within 5 years...

[@dennisirwin1703]

88788oii

[@watchdogs295]

But you cant forget about modern emissions and safety.

[@jacknedry3925]

WatchDogs29 Boooo! Safety is for suckers!! 😃

[@jacknedry3925]

Techorexia Yes, they are indeed reliable and good cars

[@allwinds3786]

Safety? Safety is the responsibility of the driver, situational awareness. The "A" can be repaired and maintained by a reasonable levelheaded person.

[@wallysworkin823]

I remember Top Gear doing an episode on finding out what was the first car to have the arrangement of peddles and steering as we know it today. I believe they said it was Cadillac to be the first.

[@SpockvsMcCoy]

In that era Plymouth built a superior and better engineered car than the Ford. The only advantages of the Ford Model A are better styling and easier access to replacement parts.

[@iamarxalan]

I still think its a jeep or a crossover but not any ordinary sedan , Its my all time favourite vehicle.

[@wadejustanamerican1201]

Thanks for the tips. Beautiful car.

[@el-padre-de-los-carros]

Este es uno de los carros de Ford que me fascina, saludos desde Querétaro en México

[@winnisimmetstreet5916]

There's one of these late 1931 Ford deluxe tudor sedans tucked away in our garage. For a long time now, we've always tried to have at least one A Model Ford stashed in the family vehicle stable. Employ this one now and then for local driving chores. Even at this advanced date, Model A Ford cars are found hiding all over the place like cock roaches. The things are almost indestructible!

[@modeladenny1218]

I've heard that no matter where you are there's a Model A within miles. Mine's within six feet.

[@scottmagyar]

Sir, great video, i am new to model A , was wondering about the gas tank can they be cleaned in car , or are they easy to remove. thanks

[@ZioStalin]

Have you heard the story of the hot rod race when the Fords and the Lincolns were setting the pace? (;

[@phantomcorsair8476]

Well that story is true and i'm here to say, I was the kid drivin' that model a;)

[@modeladenny1218]

@@phantomcorsair8476 It was okay till the rods started knockin.

[@modeladenny1218]

@@phantomcorsair8476 The odd thing is it was just a beat up Model A.

[@modeladenny1218]

@@phantomcorsair8476 You are correct. I have a Model A phaeton with a Falcon 260 v-8 and Ford 4-speed. The rest is mostly stock with tube shocks, 46-48 hydraulic brakes, and F-1 steering box and columnn. I treat it like a Model A.

[@smokeywaffle1781]

is it always wet and rainy in Britain

[@vintageeveryday2020]

I drive my 1930 'A' almost everyday in southern California. He speaks as if the cars are no problem to drive around in today's traffic. Well, most people want to rear-end my car when I'm driving...all they know is that the media commercials tell them to drive FAST. You better know how to drive defensibly with so many crazy people around. One thing he said was that the gears were "nicely spaced"...HA, that's pretty funny, because the 'A' is famous for the very poor spacing of 1st and 2nd gears. You must shift out of 1st at the speed of 2 or 3 miles per hour! Hey folks, if you want a Model A, talk to a club or get onto a Model A forum. I think Hagerty makes a nice video, but they don't really know the Model A very well.

[@modeladenny1218]

Their insurance is reasonable too for old classics.

[@joeguzman3558]

beutiful video and very good information ,im in the market for one can you tell me which year if better for a begginer

[@skakee]

Absolutely brilliant!

[@enriquerodriguezmoreno4017]

Lo estan vendiendo y ahun sigue disponible ☺️ Saludos desde México 😃🤗.

[@zacktong8105]

I knew a fellow who had one in beautiful condition, but he seemed to have more than a few mechanical problems which if they happened some distance away must have been a real nuisance.

[@jimervin387]

I can double clutch alright but it's still not as quiet as with a syncromesh. I'll get my own KZbin video up as soon as the weather co-operates and I have a camera man.

[@davidswick8353]

Owned a late 31 just like the one shown for 20 years.

[@Tesseract1887]

I want to get one of these as a daily driver

[@willcarr9177]

Me too man!

[@SnowDogRedSectorEh]

♫Lively Music♪ at the end!

[@austx290]

This is a great video. I learned a lot.

[@edwinbarnes5661]

I just bought a 1930 standard cab truck. It's far more useful than my exwife, and even handles better.

[@johnnyrocket6588]

Yes

[@modeladenny1218]

But can it cook and clean house? Can it bring you a sammich and a cold beer?

[@ildefonsogonzalezconstanzo3365]

Hola,hermoso tengo el mismo tudors 1931 disfrútalo mucho

[@joejankiewicz9642]

How can I recommend your tool if I can't pronounce its name...and I'm Polish (Jankiewicz)

[@isiTsotsi]

At 2:52 there is a web address whispered in the background ever so slightly

[@dominicpetruzzelli3134]

That is one beautiful Tudor. Its ashame that the Model As are not worth more than what they are. I guess there are too many around.

[@modeladenny1218]

$10,000-$15,000 for an average sedan.

[@collinbarnardvoller630]

Is this available

[@fordmodelabrasil5024]

I also like the ford model A

[@george8686]

2:55 what website do they have creepin in here?

[@5Puff]

What's that music in the beginning? Woah

[@sciprio1]

You should do one of this about the citroen traction avant, pleaseeeee!!!

[@FlyingJournalism]

lesson to learn with model A's buy one restored to your liking, save lots of money lol

[@modeladenny1218]

That's true. I can't afford to build the Model A I now own. But, who knows what's under that shiny new paint on that Model A you are looking at?

[@2right4words]

I'm digging that pouch going on in those blue jeans. 😎

[@bobmarshall3700]

A pom who calls mudguards "fenders", not even "wings"! And could you not find a RHD version for UK?

[@bobsmalser8304]

Odd nobody mentions the distinctive whine of straight-cut gears. The transmission is spose to sound like a farm truck.

[@brettduffy1992]

How are the headlights at night and is there a way to get aftermarket heat and air condition in it

[@MartinSBrown-tp9ji]

Why would you want that? Just but a new car.

[@modeladenny1218]

LED are a bolt in. My phaeton has AC. I open the windshield and put the top down.

[@MMRodsCycle]

Great Video!

[@Eddy2730]

I want one!

[@claudio2249]

Um belo automóvel!

[@robertmencl9169]

well spoken.

[@bumblebum]

I have to say I do appreciate the rubber motor mounts my Chevy has. Those model 4 cylinder solid mount A's can shake the fillings out of your teeth.

[@modeladenny1218]

My 1933 Chevy master was fairly smooth.

[@rayunseitig6367]

I want one.

[@josephdan2850]

How many miles can ford model A can go before refueling with gasoline?

[@joracer1]

Joseph Dan About 200. You planing a long trip?

[@modeladenny1218]

30-31 has an 11 gal tank. 28-29 has a 10 gal tank. Maybe 200 miles or so on a tank.

[@notnamed2519]

why wouldn't you guys restore a a CHEVY c60? or any of these old GM medium duty trucks..

[@modeladenny1218]

I hotrodded a 1948 Chevy panel and several 1955 Chevys.

[@johncolette6014]

The Model A was a great car, and still is. Ford built millions of them in 4 short years. But, during WW11, 250,000 Model As want to the blast furnaces for the war effort.

[@dyer2cycle]

VERY beautiful cars, especially stock...too bad so many are not...1928-1929's are very nice, but I MUCH prefer the 1930-1931..just something stately and classy about them...even though they were a low-priced car...I guess they were kind of the KIA's of their day...although I don't consider KIA's to be either classy or stately... :)

[@modeladenny1218]

KIA? My Model A is offended!

[@dyer2cycle]

@@modeladenny1218 ...I meant price point...as I stated, I don't consider KIA's to be either classy or stately...Model A's ARE... :)

[@modeladenny1218]

@@dyer2cycle Actually I know little about KIA's or other non-USA cars. Most cars today must be fairly well built because the companies are still in business. Even my late model Impala was built in a another country.

[@brettduffy1992]

How do you get air put in it

[@modeladenny1218]

Money!

[@nikitis13]

Beautiful, reliable and simple. Maybe Ford should think about manufacturing a it again with "e power".

[@modeladenny1218]

From 1979-81 there was a Pinto powered SHAY and later a GLASSIC with Chevy V-8. Still cheap and decent cars.

[@TruthOldSchoolStyle]

Those Jeans are looking Ample. :D

[@BeingRomans829ed]

Mighty sweet little car 8-)

[@Tonys_Podium]

I don’t see any indicators.

[@modeladenny1218]

Mine are in the cowl lights and dual tail lights. It has a F-1 column with blinker knob.

[@chennaiinteriordesign4094]

Amazing carr

[@johneastman1905]

The man knows the opening and closing of the hood, the rest is all uttering superlatives.

[@farouqomaro598]

Nice car

[@barryphillips7327]

Model A the american car i would like to own the most ( but probably never will ) next would 1964 square back Mustang, ie not the fastback, with a 289/4speed man gearbox blue i think. I will stop dreaming now, ha ha lol. Actually both cars you almost could build from parts, Model A parts are quite easy to get if you live in USA, i know one place was making complete Mustang bodies.

[@modeladenny1218]

I had the first Mustang fastback in town, a 1965 289 with rally pac. Still love my Model A's.

[@Lianpe98]

Really nice video but as a buyers guide is extremely shallow, I learned very little from it.

[@michaelcarlsonjr9143]

Stanley or lizzy

[@joseantoniofazio4436]

É ridicolo la istallazione delle cinture di sicurezza in un veicolo che non é omologato.

[@crusherbmx]

Take off the fenders and bumpers, drop the axle, put in a V8, take it to Bonneville....

[@mr.hawkeye3319]

Omg it's a Bolt Model B

[@firefox5926]

hmmmm idk how many miles has she got on her?

[@Burnedout_garage]

they made them from 1927-1931

[@modeladenny1218]

Like today, those late '27 cars were 1928 Fords.

[@ftbftb8802]

Worst information I've ever seen. First of all there was four million model a was built not 5 million or over 5 as he said. Second when you feel your fenders you should feel for a ridge aftermarket fenders do not have Ridge nor does fiberglass. However the fenders are the easiest thing in the world to fix. As far as the door lining up very common for it not to unless it was professionally restored that's also easy fix all you need to do is shim it. As far as the motor goes 200 cubic inch of the model A motors. They are basically all the same except for the AR version and the early model a clutches. When he says all the numbers can be found in the engine compartment that's also incorrect. The engine number will match the body number which is hidden under the body itself stamped into the frame. I'm sorry I tried to give the guy the benefit of the doubt I had to shut it off 3/4 the way through. The name of this was buyer's guide. Personally I thought we need to be talking about the different makes of model A's. Such as Victoria's, a400. Phaeton and the many other models there are. That was a beautiful restored 31 he was driving. And indeed the model A is a wonderful car.

[@modeladenny1218]

201 ci.

[@normanwyatt8761]

If we didn't have all these rich car collectors buying everything, we all could afford a nice model A in our garage for a reasonable amount of money.....This is my opinion, don't condemn me.......

[@rypuppy0388]

Yo, anyone tryna sell me one of these things?

[@bcubed72]

LMAO at Brits and their silly displacement-based taxation! (Do they still do that nonsense?)

[@HostileLemons]

Yes

[@thatoneredneck8023]

302 swap

[@modeladenny1218]

Mine has a Falcon 260 v-8 and Ford 4-speed. Before that there was a 221 v-8. Paint th engine black or Ford green and most think it's original.

[@ΤζένγκιςΧάαν]

At least it's better than a Lada😂😂😂

[@adolfhitler2156]

Anyone near Delaware trying to sell me one lol?

[@clockguy2]

Henry made a lady out of Lizzie.

[@modeladenny1218]

Henry also called his Model A Henry's Lady. I called my T touring Tin Lizzy. I call my Model A phaeton MsDollie. Both are convertibles!

[@vatmilsak]

öööggh rims

[@izukimoti2473]

The short art clearly count because bear covalently rinse plus a cultured revolver. bite-sized, nappy colombia

[@louididdy]

Great video!