1930 Ford Model A

In its day, the Model A was considered a reliable car with good performance. Henry Ford continued many of the Model T's virtues, and eliminated many of the T's annoying idiosyncrasies. The comparatively light and flimsy look of many of the Model A's parts was a big selling point for Chevrolet, but time has proved that Henry's insistence on keeping weight down was a good idea. However, by today's standards, the Model A has a few points that just aren't considered good enough. Fortunately, there are modern fixes for all of these. So, if you are considering buying a Model A for the first time, you'll want to know about what modifications are available especially if you intend to drive the car on any long trips.

First, the engine, while reliable by early 1930's standards, is short lived by today's. The main weak point is the relatively light duty crankshaft with it's babbit main bearings. High speed driving (anything over about 40-45 MPH) tends to whip out the center main bearing. As these bearings are only replaced by pouring in new babbit metal and line boring, this isn't something you want to happen thousands of miles from home. Fortunately, there are several engine builders who can instal a balanced crankshaft with modern thin-shell insert bearings; a modification that greatly improves the smoothness and performance of the engine, and it is undetectable from the outside, except for the smoother running.

There are several more minor problems that can also be eliminated today. One of these is the fan's propensity to throw off blades through the radiator. Better quality fans are now available along with water pumps that don't leak and throw grease all around the engine compartment.

The original brakes are often criticized, although when they are in good condition and properly adjusted, they are well up to stopping the car safely. Front wheel brake floaters can do wonders for stopping power. The hand brake on the Model A is probably the best ever put on a car and when operating properly, can easily lock up both rear wheels.

Open models, when properly sorted out, are a delight to drive. The noise and vibration from the engine doesn't resonate the way it can in some of the closed bodies. Here again, modern sound proofing materials can help bring down the extreme noise level in the closed bodies.

The Model A's steering can be heavy and vague. The use of a needle bearing steering sector bearing can lighten up the steering, and careful adjusting of the steering gear, drag link and tie rod ends can help the overall feel. Shortened pitman arms are available, and can help lighten the steering.

For higher speed highway driving, there are several options available. These include a higher back axle gear ratio, a conversion to a modern 5-speed transmission, or the addition of an overdrive. With either changing the transmission or adding an overdrive unit, the car will no longer be original, but either is probably a worthwhile modification. Changing the axle ratio will help the cruising speed, but will lower acceleration and hill climbing ability.

The original charging system isn't too bad, but the generator/cutout system has its faults. Long drives can over charge the battery, and reliability was never that good. There are solid state solutions to the common sticking points in the cutout, and there are now alternators available that look like the original generators.

Happy cruising!

It was evident that the seller put a lot of time and effort to the restoration of the Model A. The color scheme was very attractive but there were several areas where he could have spent more time with the body work. I also discovered that there are about five lug nuts that are loose and cannot be tightened. The positives certainly outweigh the negatives and that was my main reason in decciding the buy the car.

I always wanted a Model "A" Ford.....Now I have one.....Love fixing them up. I would recommend to anyone that is looking for a Classic car or an Early Model to Check Ebay out first before going anywhere else.

We fixed the kingpins and steering box mount & changed rear springs, now it drives and rides perfect. It was all that was explained to me and I am pleased with my purchase..

Hi, #330325945
On May 3, 2009 I purchased this 1930 model a Ford on ebay for $11,199.02, the ebay description on ebay said RARE UNRESTORED ALL ORIGINAL 1930 MODEL A COUPE THAT'S RIGHT I SAID ALL ORIGINAL(WHICH IT WASN'T!!!!!), I got it delivered by transit, when it arrived I was very disappointed to check it out & see it had new running boards(Not the original as stated), also the description said the new clutch shifts great WHICH IT DIDN'T!!!!!THE DOOR SILL PLATED HAD BEEN EXCHANGED FOR NEW ONES, THERE WAS THINGS MISSING LIKE THE UPHOLSTERY ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE BY THE WINDOW WAS MISSING, I called the man who had it listed on ebay for someone else Vinnysvintage (Vincent Ottaviano 732-792-1345 on Sun. 5-10-09 @12:05P.M.) for Robert Levine, 12 Canvasback Rd., Manalnpan, N.J. 07726 (732-446-1794)I called Vincent first he said you can't get blood from a turnip!!!!!!! Then I called 5-10-09@7:51P.M. Robert Levine the one who owned the car, he also said you can't get blood from a turnip. I called each of them many times at first & left messages, no reply's! THE DESCRIPTION WAS A LIE. Then I sent ebay a email asking what I could do about this situation with all details about calling them, etc.(every thing ebay told me to do, I had already done) You wouldn't believe the reply ebay sent. The 2 men was crooks , one on ebay & the other one who got him to list his car & ebay didn't try to help me at all?????
(6-7-09@4:21P.M.)

This is an antique vehicle that was just what I wanted. It was well preserved and it was a fair price.


Darrell Ames

I was taken to the cleaners with this old car purchase---Car was not as desicribed and was told lies all about the car---NEVER send money without looking at a car before hand---If someone has to have a deposit before u look at it after buying it---DONT BUY IT..Dont make a 16000.00 mistake like i did..AND paypal and ebay WONT help u out after the purchase..They say they will but take my word they WONT..I won my case against the seller and he still refused my refund--and ebay did NOTHING to him..Didnt even stop him from selling again..Ebay should band him from selling again..Ebay and paypal wont help u out--I WILL NEVER BUY A CAR FROM THIS SITE AGAIN...

In its day, the Model A was considered a reliable car with good performance. Henry Ford continued many of the Model T's virtues, and eliminated many of the T's annoying idiosyncrasies. The comparatively light and flimsy look of many of the Model A's parts was a big selling point for Chevrolet, but time has proved that Henry's insistence on keeping weight down was a good idea. However, by today's standards, the Model A has a few points that just aren't considered good enough. Fortunately, there are modern fixes for all of these. So, if you are considering buying a Model A for the first time, you'll want to know about what modifications are available especially if you intend to drive the car on any long trips.

First, the engine, while reliable by early 1930's standards, is short lived by today's. The main weak point is the relatively light duty crankshaft with it's babbit main bearings. High speed driving (anything over about 40-45 MPH) tends to whip out the center main bearing. As these bearings are only replaced by pouring in new babbit metal and line boring, this isn't something you want to happen thousands of miles from home. Fortunately, there are several engine builders who can instal a balanced crankshaft with modern thin-shell insert bearings; a modification that greatly improves the smoothness and performance of the engine, and it is undetectable from the outside, except for the smoother running.

There are several more minor problems that can also be eliminated today. One of these is the fan's propensity to throw off blades through the radiator. Better quality fans are now available along with water pumps that don't leak and throw grease all around the engine compartment.

The original brakes are often criticized, although when they are in good condition and properly adjusted, they are well up to stopping the car safely. Front wheel brake floaters can do wonders for stopping power. The hand brake on the Model A is probably the best ever put on a car and when operating properly, can easily lock up both rear wheels.

Open models, when properly sorted out, are a delight to drive. The noise and vibration from the engine doesn't resonate the way it can in some of the closed bodies. Here again, modern sound proofing materials can help bring down the extreme noise level in the closed bodies.

The Model A's steering can be heavy and vague. The use of a needle bearing steering sector bearing can lighten up the steering, and careful adjusting of the steering gear, drag link and tie rod ends can help the overall feel. Shortened pitman arms are available, and can help lighten the steering.

For higher speed highway driving, there are several options available. These include a higher back axle gear ratio, a conversion to a modern 5-speed transmission, or the addition of an overdrive. With either changing the transmission or adding an overdrive unit, the car will no longer be original, but either is probably a worthwhile modification. Changing the axle ratio will help the cruising speed, but will lower acceleration and hill climbing ability.

The original charging system isn't too bad, but the generator/cutout system has its faults. Long drives can over charge the battery, and reliability was never that good. There are solid state solutions to the common sticking points in the cutout, and there are now alternators available that look like the original generators.

Happy cruising!

I love driving it and making sure it looks beautiful! There is not anything I dont like about it. I love old cars and want to own as many as I can afford and have room for.

I always wanted a Model A Ford like my Grandma had when I was a very small child. She drove it and sometimes pushed it. When my son found what he thought was a perfect Model A on Ebay for mom, I decided to try and buy it. It is a sharp lookng blue two-door auto with yellow wheels. Now I am learning to be a good driver with it. The sellers were prepared to sell it and had the car and papers ready when I arrived. They were very helpful and it was a good transaction.