1930 FORD MODEL A DELUXE 5 WINDOW COUPE

1930 FORD MODEL A DELUXE 5-WINDOW COUPE
Sold for US$ 28,600 Including Commission
Bonham's Auction, Amelia island, Florida 2015
265ci Chevrolet OHV V8 Engine
Single Downdraft Carburetor
165hp (Estimated)
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Solid Front Axle with Transverse Semi-Elliptic Leaf Spring and Live Rear Axle with Transverse Leaf Spring
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
*Amazing story and still owned by its original builder
*Desirable five-window all steel coupe
*Vintage small block Chevy
*'50s style interior
*Charity lot with all proceeds going to Autism research
THE FORD MODEL A
A replacement for the ubiquitous Model T, the Model A went on sale in December 1927. A more complex car than its predecessor, the 'A' was also more powerful, its four-cylinder sidevalve engine producing 40bhp – double the output of the T – which was good enough for a top speed of 65mph. A three-speed sliding gear transmission replaced the T's planetary gears, there was coil-and-battery instead of magneto ignition and at last there was a brake for each wheel. The T's ungainly styling was abandoned and the eagerly awaited Model A's up-to-the-minute looks, choice of colors and, needless to say, competitive pricing, helped ensure its success. Ford priced the new Model A at just $450 and would go on to build 4.8 million over the next four years, despite the prevailing economic gloom.
By 1931 Ford had passed the production of the 20 millionth Ford automobile, only 23 years since the first, hand-assembled Model T rolled out of Ford's shop and only about 17 years since the first moving assembly line began operation. The availability of cheap, easy work on Model A's made it a popular base for hot rodders. Combine that with its attractive bodywork and relative light-weight and it could be made into a potent machine.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This traditional Five-Window hot rod has a remarkable story. It was purchased for $48 by the present owner in 1956, on the owner's 14th birthday. The next three years were spent making it into a hot rod. Along the way he detailed everything done in a notebook that remains with the car to this day.
The Ford was fitted with an early 265 Chevy small block V8 and many changes were to the chassis, in order to handle the added power. 39/48 Ford hydraulic brakes were fitted to ensure reliable stopping.
The proud owner/builder used the car throughout high school. Unfortunately plans to go to college meant the hot rod had to be reluctantly sold in 1961 for $300, eventually ending up in a barn near the New Jersey shore where it lived from 1966-1997. In 1997, Paul Adams of Bantam, CT purchased the car and converted it into a '90s style "smoothie" street rod.
By the late '90s the original builder/owner desperately yearned to get his old hot rod back. After much advertising and searching he found the original body. The next seven years were spent acquiring the parts needed to bring it back to its original configuration. A 1955 Chevy 265ci V-8 was located and rebuilt by BBC Speed Shop of Linden, NJ with a proper Duntov style cam. The 39/48 Ford brakes were fully rebuilt. The '37 Buick Roadmaster transmission was rebuilt by Fisher Transmissions.
In 2007 it was given to Bob Outwater of Ringoes Rod Ranch in Ringoes, NY to reconstruct. By 2010 the car was reconstructed and driven to the owner's fiftieth high school reunion.
The owner is generously giving all of the proceeds of this special Hot Rod's sale to the Autism Speaks charity. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has grown into the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism as well as their families.
We do hope you will bid generously on this Hot Rod that has such an interesting story. This is an opportunity for a great authentic hot rod, as well as a chance to raise money for a truly important cause.
Robert Myrick Photography