Checking out a Ford Model A for sale. Will it run? 

I've known Bob the owner of the Tudor from my aviation days up in Santa Rosa. He's very meticulous as a builder, restorer. I also was a member of the Sonoma A's back in 1978. Had a 1929 Model A closed cab in '76 when I was 19.

Nice Paul. This is a great video for those of us who are looking for a Model A!

Such a basic machine, yet so reliable. They truly are beautiful cars. I love to see one rolling down the road. It brings smile to everyone's faces. Keep up the great work Paul.😊

Paul, this is an excellent guide on how to evaluate an older car. There is no substitute for getting under the beast and getting dirty, letting your fingertips gauge things your eyes can't, and let the car tell its own story. Love vicariously owning a Model A through your channel. Hoping this time my comment won't be hijacked by some lunatic pulling a version of Monty Python's "Four Yorkshiremen" sketch.

Thanks Model A Guy for providing me with a simple and orderly checklist when inspecting a Model A. Hurry up with another video, I have become an avid follower and appreciate your commitment to the Model A community. And, kudos to Model T too.

Beauty of simplicity.

Awesome set of guidelines for us to follow if a person is looking to buy a Model A. I think that a lot of that would apply to today's vehicles as well. Thanks Paul, as always an enjoyable video. Have a wonderful weekend.

Great informative video for us who are looking for our first A,thanks.

INSTRUCTIVE AND ENTERTAINING. THANKS!

Great video & a real nice ride. Great color too.

I write it each time, but it’s always so applicable - thank you! Another great video - and man - that car is well cared for. Take care, have a great week ~ Chuck

This looks to be on the higher end of pricing. Clearly, a well loved A owned by an enthusiast capable of quality servicing. 😊

Whether it will run is not that interesting, the question is whether you can drive it 700 miles home...

That’s a great video, it’s going help a lot of people!

Thanks for the tips. Really nice Model A.

Sweet Tudor! Things turned out well when we got our 28 Tudor ,but I looked at it alone and missed a lot of things.But now I know the importance of knowledge on an A.Much of that comes from tuning into Shinns Model A shop.Thx Mr S.Great vid.THX

Cars in great shape!

Good information for those looking Thanks Steve

Well done. You showed us what to look for "underneath the skin". Sometimes a car looks great from the top but there can be hidden problems underneath.

Hi Paul!: Thanks for the video! If I ever go look at an "A" here in the future I know what to look out for! That was a pretty nice tudor to look at too!!

A very informative video. I still looking to buy one.

That was really great thank you

great drive Paul

Great, informative video Paul! I particularly enjoyed the "Hands-On approach to this one. Great list of things to check while checking out that special candidate! I replaced the damaged/worn fiber cam shaft timing gear with a new fiber timing gear, along with all the old gaskets on the bottom end of the engine in my '29 Tudor this week. I also did a front end alignment and adjusted the 2-Tooth steering box per your instructions. The car drives 200% better and the oil leaks have been reduced to an occasional drip! YIPPEE!!! Thanks for all you and Tina do! de Benton w4jba

excellent video. thanks

Hi Paul. Another great video, Thanks! Im in the UK and Ive recently bought a 30 A Coupe from California. Got a lot to sort out...but I'll get there. You are a great help, that's for sure! 😊

Very helpful. Thanks.

A lot to like Paul.. God Bless you and Tina.

Such a fine example.

Great information. I’ll own one one day.

Beautiful car, thank you Paul. You an model T stay safe, Terry an model J.😊❤

I’ve been thinking of buying one and this video is very helpful. I do worry that I have a lot to learn about the engine and mechanics of it all. And I’m in my 60s. But we’ll see.

Thanks for the tour, Paul. If I was younger and more affluent, I would love to have a car like that it looks great. Have fun, Mike

This was a very cool video.. I could watch videos like this all the time you should make this into a series. I’m sure there’s a lot of other car owners that would like to have their vehicles looked over…

I bought a 31 fairly reasonable but I have to replace the clutch but also replace the transmission with a Mitchel .

Beautiful car; just need a few tweaks here and there but very good!

Awesome

I'm happy for your friend.. Got a nice car. Nice of you to check it out for him.. my 1929 Tudor is like that❤

Love your videos. Especially the How To videos. Have you ever installed an insulated firewall panel inside a Model A? Is it worth the expense and does it spot head from entering?

As a Corvette guy, you make me want to buy an A!!

Great advice and what fun to go car shopping! It's not cool to talk price when your at someones house, but an update on how prices are changing would be appreciated in a future video. It appears that post covid crazyness is taking place in the price of Model A's as well. Even the car "kits" that need a total rebuild are getting expensive and solid cars are pushing 30k, or am I in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Paul, I bought a 1930 mod a Tudor 3 door yesterday. Built in Berlin. I am in Germany. Original docs were destroyed in WW2. Can not figure out if it was standard or delux. Lots of people have offered input but it always conflicts with the reality of the car. It has cowl lights…velour upholstery (without arm rest) and…..what sure looks like factory turn signals. The dash/fuel tank sheet metal is somewhat mounded to accommodate a black Bakelite knob that actuates the signals front and back. Back signals are integrated into the brake light housing. Front are bumper mounted and look very original. Previous owner claims that the original owner said that it was one of three made. Is this possible?

Lovely A, and great guidelines to what to look for. Was that A Dawn Grey out of curiosity? Though probably what I SHOULD have done for my first A, I instead did this on hard mode and bought a restoration case early 1928 4 dr Phaeton. I LOVE the fact that it’s Cdn built (yay Robertsons!) but not so much that the top irons that are included were from a Model T Touring instead of an A. So if anyone has a lead on replacement top irons (which I know are rare) I’d be undyingly grateful.

i like to check if all the windows roll down nicely

That was great info. I'm looking now for I think a fordor, or I could live with a really clean todor! Witch is your preference and why! Thanks

Paul , love your channel ! I work with all trades and have for thirty plus years Respectfully, why does every electrical engineer I encounter feel the need to remind everyone they are an electrical engineer?

Paul, what is the price range for one in this condition, and one that needs restoring ? Love your channel!

Oh if I could only afford that car. But in any case, Sonoma and Napa counties have these beautiful two lane black top roads in all of California. Your club could do a Winery tour through Highway 12, start in Napa and end at Santa Rosa, by way of Sonoma. Or navigate via the wineries.

I do not like the rubber ball wishbone set up maybe indicates a worn radius ball . I would have to investigate for sure ! . All the brake rod clevises and cross shaft, bearings are bone dry no lube at all really most odd . Sure recipe for worn brake rod eye, actuator ends and clevis pin wear . I use a hand held trigger oil can with 250 SAE much easier than grease and quicker less mess . Very good video as usual ,thank you .

I called that ignition cable, a string bean, switch cable

What about engine status? Like cracked or worn out. Is there something that can be reasonnably checked?

1950neighbor had 2as and a t rode the first time thing vibrated and the gasoline heater caught fire 😮 never got in one again was a saying couldn't go more than 25mph and live 😊

I guess the only thing that glares at me is '30-'31 wheels on a '29. Then I can get nit-picky about the hood corner guards being on wrong or pleated seat covers instead of plain, but really, if you want a decent car, this is it for the right price.

I kind of want the pick up truck model A

One thing that I didn't see, you checking out the fuel tank. Other than that, good job.

I'd never buy a Model A (or any car this old) again without poking an endoscope into at least the engine, gearbox and differential. There can be so much wrong with these without giving any sign of being so xD Just as the shock arm, the pitman arm can be loose, too. If it's tight, grab it and wiggle it to look for play in the steering box. Open the fill plug on the steering box, gearbox and diff, see what's inside. Listen for a clunking noise when shifting from forward into reverse - that means the rear end is probably toast. Listen for the rear drums dragging against the backing plates, which indicate worn axles. Take the rear wheels off and see that the axle nuts are tight - I've seen so many broken axles because people just drove their loose drums until the wheels literally fell off. See that the wheels run true - a wobbling wheel can become annoying really quick when going 30-40 for longer times. Take a look under the spring covers (if attached) - are the spring leaves intact? Look at the sediment bowl - alot of debris indicates a rusty tank. I found that amount of play at the main brake shaft alarming, but maybe I'm just over-sensitive xD During the test drive, have someone ride behind and tell if there's smoke from the exhaust upon downshifts, indicating worn piston rings. Try to peek between the front cross member and the block that attaches the spring to the frame and serves as bearing on crank-starts. Many frames are broken there. Bottom line: After 90 years and countless owners, EVERYTHING can be broken. Take your time, take an experienced guy with you, if possible.

Paul please tell me about running synthetic oil in the crankcase,??? i would love for you to try amsoil!!!!!!

i need a price guide. i appreciate the video on what to look for but what are they worth

Could you recommend a good top wood kit for a two door sedan.

How do you tell whether it is two-tooth or seven-tooth?

Why are there Carter pins hanging out of the clutch housing?

Paul, can I ask what something like this would go for, and would you tell me?

Paul after the great reveal "Day in the life of a broadcast engineer" Were you surprised at the positive feedback, and perhaps you'll consider pulling back the curtain again.

Would you say, that the 2 tooth is much better than the 7 tooth?

Where is the best place to list a model A for sale? I have a unrestored model 170B I'm thinking of selling.

What is that cotter pin for in the bellhousing

Did the Model A only have one engine, transmission and differential gear? To compare, I have a '77 F250 which cam with four different engines, two or three different transmissions and (I don't know) possibly ten different differential gear options. Hew, too confusing.

For as clean as the car is topside, it is a little dirty underneath!

Just needs the overdrive.

Timing tools

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Driving to a Model A _not_ in a Model A? _Unacceptable!_

Period after market generator.

Great Model A roads? Dirt n gravel like intended? 😆

Turn my wha off...?