Went Picking and SCORED!

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Robenstein

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Dec 23, 2009
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Central IA
Heard about an old guy in the south east quarter of my state was getting rid of a bunch of old car parts and signs. I dig that stuff so I went to investigate. Well he and his son were all about clearing it out ASAP since his health is failing. Guy must not be sentimental or need money (looked like a rich old farmer). I saved this from being sent to the scrap yard. Paid him under 1000 bucks and got the car, and all the parts he bought with the intent of fixing it back up to factory someday. Think I did ok. Its a 1930 Model A Ford coupe. Snapped a quick pic when my buds were putting the body back on the frame. Those barnyard finds are still around if you look hard enough.
 
Nah. If there were pumps, Id have em. Got a couple old Sinclair signs. But the kid had already been to the scrap yard a few times...god knows what he threw. Luckily cars are harder to haul. This thing has been in a barn for over 40 years. No real rust, just some surface and patina. I also have to decide on which engine to put in this thing. Have the cookie cutter small blocks around to use, but I also have a 348 tri power, a 440 Chrysler, and a high compression 500 caddy. I wish I would have kept my Windsor motors now. But this is going to be a build and sell project. Id like to get a 34 Dodge coupe or a 33-34 Ford three window. Never been a Model A man, but couldnt let someone crush this thing. It is far too nice still.
 
Nice!! I love seeing old cars/trucks like this being saved from the scrap heap. What about a 4.3L Chevy V-6 TPI with a 5 or 6 speed and 3.73 gears? Would make a peppy powerplant that would be easy on gas.
 
Originally Posted By: 2010_FX4
Nice!! I love seeing old cars/trucks like this being saved from the scrap heap. What about a 4.3L Chevy V-6 TPI with a 5 or 6 speed and 3.73 gears? Would make a peppy powerplant that would be easy on gas.
LOL. I put a 39 Ford sedan together once with a single 4 barrel 350, 700R4, and a 3.23 geared 8 inch and it gets 27mpg all day long on the highway. That thing has been all over the country with no issues. I like old V8's. When built right, they can pull off some decent numbers.
 
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Awesome! Have fun with it! What is the plan?
Fix it to look like a 50's hot rod, sell it, make some money to pay off some student loans, and fix up either my 62 Impala or my 70 Nova. Im a big guy and my dads 32 Ford is tight, and I know model A's can be worse yet.
 
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
Originally Posted By: 2010_FX4
Nice!! I love seeing old cars/trucks like this being saved from the scrap heap. What about a 4.3L Chevy V-6 TPI with a 5 or 6 speed and 3.73 gears? Would make a peppy powerplant that would be easy on gas.
LOL. I put a 39 Ford sedan together once with a single 4 barrel 350, 700R4, and a 3.23 geared 8 inch and it gets 27mpg all day long on the highway. That thing has been all over the country with no issues. I like old V8's. When built right, they can pull off some decent numbers.
LOL; I know--I had a 1996 Corvette LT4 with a ZF6 and averaged 32MPG from Houston to Nashville on several trips. It was stock, but just shows what a V8 is capable of when properly designed. I would guess the 4.3L would go above 30 easily, if cammed and chipped right.
 
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
Nah. If there were pumps, Id have em. Got a couple old Sinclair signs. But the kid had already been to the scrap yard a few times...god knows what he threw. Luckily cars are harder to haul. This thing has been in a barn for over 40 years. No real rust, just some surface and patina. I also have to decide on which engine to put in this thing. Have the cookie cutter small blocks around to use, but I also have a 348 tri power, a 440 Chrysler, and a high compression 500 caddy. I wish I would have kept my Windsor motors now. But this is going to be a build and sell project. Id like to get a 34 Dodge coupe or a 33-34 Ford three window. Never been a Model A man, but couldnt let someone crush this thing. It is far too nice still.
I would put it in Hemmings just as it is...that is way too nice to mutilate into a street rod!
 
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
Nah. If there were pumps, Id have em. Got a couple old Sinclair signs. But the kid had already been to the scrap yard a few times...god knows what he threw. Luckily cars are harder to haul. This thing has been in a barn for over 40 years. No real rust, just some surface and patina. I also have to decide on which engine to put in this thing. Have the cookie cutter small blocks around to use, but I also have a 348 tri power, a 440 Chrysler, and a high compression 500 caddy. I wish I would have kept my Windsor motors now. But this is going to be a build and sell project. Id like to get a 34 Dodge coupe or a 33-34 Ford three window. Never been a Model A man, but couldnt let someone crush this thing. It is far too nice still.
I would put it in Hemmings just as it is...that is way too nice to mutilate into a street rod!
They are worth a lot less on the market stock. And I am not going to chop the top. But I am going to put cross steering on it, a modern drive train, and a nice interior. I know a guy that bought one restored to stock....horrible mechanical brakes and all...for 13k. So I am not going to do that. It will look nice on the outside, but be modernized. Just like my dad's 32.
 
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Awesome find! It's great that you also are saving this from possibly the crusher.
I am willing to bet that any smart salvage guy would have paid them scrap price...which is less than even I paid...and just flipped it for a handsome profit. But I have seen scrap guys crush a lot of vintage iron. A fellow about 30 miles from here was a horder of old cars. He got in trouble with the IRS who took everything, called in salvage guys, and ordered it all crushed. Lots of late 60's Mustangs, first gen camaros, old VW's, a couple Nomad wagons, and even a RUNNING 34 Ford pickup and a 29 Harley got scrapped. It was a shame.
 
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