Ford Model A Buyer's Guide - How to buy a 1928-1931 Ford Model A 

For links to online classified ads of Model A's for sale, check the video description. Thank you, and good luck!

My uncle literally hauled home a bunch of parts and said he’d make a car out of it one day. The body looked like it was dug out of a graveyard somewhere. A few years later he wins trophies with it everywhere he goes 🤷‍♂️. Man I wish I had that kind of talent lol

Glad to see you're feeling better

Great video, Paul! When I bought my 29 Model A Roadster, I was sold on the rumble seat! Spent 11k, she leaks oil, she has rust on the body, paint on the engine is pealing, several replaced parts that aren't original, but damn it, I love her. My wife and boy ride in the rumble seat and we cruise down the back roads here in Lancaster County PA, waving at the Amish and English who look with big smiles on their faces! This car is probable only worth 5k-10k to a avid Model A enthusiast, but I wouldn't sell it for 100k. It's my dream car, and you can put a price tag on the joy it's brought our little family for the last 3 years! And the best part about Model A, (at least mine) is that I always have a project. Whether it'd cleaning out the carburetor, adjusting the distributor, changing the fluids, greasing, aligning the front end, adjusting the brakes, touching up paint, you name it! my roadster is always a work in progress and it brings me so much satisfaction tinkering with it, and making just how I like it! Thanks for all the videos, Paul. Several of your tips and how-to videos have helped with some of my cars projects.

So we watched your videos, and we thought... Why not, let's give it a try. So we got our 1929 Tudor. It had an older restoration, but it needed work especially in the carburation department, it ran so bad it once blowedup the muffler clear open. The fan was broken, the timing was horrible, it had no power. So we watched your videos, and re-watched them. We want to thank you for the immense service you do for the Model A community. Without you we would have never got into car collecting, and we would have no clue how to fix a Model A. Now we have several cars, a very eclectic collection the includes a 29 Model A, a Ferrari, a Suzuki Samurai, a Bell Air and more on the way. After applying all your recommended fixes, we just took our model A for its first big trip. We drove it 84 miles, it ran on the highway at 60 MPH with no trouble at all, smooth, and boy was it fun. Thank you again. We made a video of our adventure, if you are interested it is on our channel. As I say in the video if you were not so far away I would send you my car and ask you to send it back when you thought it was perfect, because I will never know ail, you do. Cheers and thank you. Paul, (yes my name is Paul also).

Watching this again a year later, I had to stop and back up. Learning something new every time

One of the best ever made durable cars; simple beauty with a 4 cylinder engine!

Great program! Thanks Paul! your knowledge, kindness and practicality cant be beat!

Thank you Paul. Glad to see that you are doing well. Please continue to make the best RU-vid videos for Model A enthusiasts.

This is fantastic Paul! Thank you for posting this video! I just started it but look forward to listening to the whole thing several times.

Well Paul, you're experience is showing again.. you reminded me of things long forgotten.. thank you and cheers 🥂

Spouse is the subscriber. Howdy, Paul and Tina! Thanks for sharing your great information in ALL your Model A videos. I look forward to watching each new one every Saturday. Please keep them coming. I recently purchased a 1929 Model A enclosed pickup, thru estate sale, and slowly getting it safely back on the road. Hope to see and meet you both in Kerrville, TX this June. Donnalee

Thanks Paul. Great to see you improving and sharing your wealth of knowledge. God bless you all. 🌞

Hi Paul--thank you for another great video! Each week I look forward to watching your latest production. I purchased my first Model A in the mid 60's while in grade school (I still own it), but this "Buyer's Guide" video continues to provide valuable information even to those of us who already own them. I retired at the age of 70 earlier this year and it was your videos along with the VFF online forum that have helped me begin to get more active with my A's. Thanks again and I hope that you are feeling better and regaining your strength.--Matt

Another great video Paul. You know your stuff with these Model A's and present it in a way that us less knowledgeable car folks can understand and learn.

Extremely helpful thank you thank you thank you some sellers seem to think they can swindle me into a purchase but thanks to your video me and my husband are looking at Model As with way more knowledge we seek to upcycle a simple classic car so we don't waste our past away we're excited to care for the car and keep it in pristine condition and have a new daily driver just for our local area having some vintage fun doing errands it's gunna be a blast we're so excited

Fantastic video, Paul. It's my dream to own a Model A and your videos are just so helpful for me. Thank you!

This is another fabulous video! You really know your stuff when it comes to purchasing these Model A cars. Everything you said made perfect sense to me and was easy to comprehend. Might I say, that Model A you used for your demonstration is beautiful!! Mercy, would I love to have one of those on my farm. Wow is the best word I could use for that car and your knowledge of these wonderful machines. I'm retired and of course, if I could ever afford one, I would really struggle with that decision, 2 door coupe, 4 door or truck. Great job Paul and thank you for sharing your time and knowledge with all of us, especially us want-to-Be's. Hope you and model T have a fantastic weekend! See you next time!

Excellent information here, and most of this applies to all old cars, not just the model a. Honestly, that Tudor is supremely nice- if you told me it was twenty years old instead of 90 I'd almost believe you! You and Tina have done an amazing job making that car look so good. Thanks for the video and glad to see you're doing well, Paul!

A great guide for the novice buyer. Only been near a handful of these automotive icons over about sixty years, but always loved their born-in practicality and simple, elegant, good looks. Maybe one day there is one in my future, but certain by the time I scrap that kind of cash into a neat pile they may be double that.

Great video! So informative! Love that car too. Looks great. Awesome to see you back on the saddle, Paul. Thank you!

Thank you so much for the primer for "caveat emptor" ! I really want to jump into the ownership of a fun and attainable car. I am not ready, but you are helping me! Thanks again.

I’m going out to the garage to check all the points of interest in this video on my Model A So helpful for assessing wear and tear I wouldn’t have thought about ! Lots of helpful hints here not just for purchase but to evaluate your own car too ! Nice work 👍

Paul, I have watched this video several times, plus many more. Homework for 2 years, looked at several and hopefully in 3 weeks I’ll make the purchase on the correct one. At this MAFFI event I was able to look at 2 of the models I’m wanting. Wanted to pick your brain a little more, but you were so busy driving the bus. I was the one that gave you directions on the first go around. Thanks again for your insight, and Mrs’s T. Ken

Hey Paul, this is the fourth time I’ve watched this video. I love this two-door sedan. You sold me on it. I’ll take it!😉

Thanks Paul, just the vid that I needed. Great tips and presentation as usual from you, much appreciated!!

Thanks for another great video, good things for present Model A owners to be watchful for when they inspect their cars

I love your enthusiasm for the Model A.

Hi Paul, good video, so glad to see you feeling better!

Love these cars, very familiar with the contemporary technology as Grandpa and I collected and restored the old stationary single cylinder gas engines. Got here via the recommendation of VGG. Great content, thank you Paul!

Thank you Sir. I used this and some of your other videos to learn what I could and just purchased an immaculate '31 Roadster Deluxe. Your help and affable manner are greatly appreciated. Best Regards.

The self help video's are some of the best for model A repairs out there what a great resource and a great guy made very good video's

Another great informative video Paul. Look forward to all your’s and Model T’s Videos. Beautiful weather down there. It’s snowing up here in Vancouver, British Columbia right now. Merry Christmas to you and Tina. Stay safe and well. Regards, PaulB

I 100% agree with you about having the current owner drive the car while you sit and observe! Even when purchasing a modern car. It can tell you all you want to know. Outstanding Advise!

Nice job Paul. I picked up a few pointers from you concerning different areas along the chassis.

Love Model A's! If I ever get a chance to buy one, I'll know exactly what to expect. Excellent video! Thanks for sharing!!

Really great video, with so much info ... Another home run, Paul !

Great video, thanks for the info. I'd also add an electrical test of lights and horn as well.

Excellent job as usual Paul 👏 👍 Keep um coming. I just love to watch your videos.

Another great video. You have done wonders for Model A enthusiasts and their cars.

Can't hardly wait for Saturday, thanks again paul

Thank you Paul and your Wife for all your time and hard word to produce these very content rich Videos God Bless you both

hI PAUL been watching your videos.... Great stuff I just scored a original 1930 2 d00r sedan. all original and only 27k miles. Will be starting it soon, Obviously had been stored for many years. It is in incredible shape . Love it

A great detailed guide for anyone thinking about entering the hobby!! Thanks!

Great tips, Paul! Love your videos!

Hi First time here and already watched the video twice. It's so informative . I thank you for your iniciative and to tell you to keep up the good work. I will be seeing more more and diferentes videos.

Cool video! I fell in love with Model A's and T's when I first saw em. Gonna be tough for a kid with no job to get one but hopefully I will eventually!

Thank you, #PaulShinn, for the great buyer's guide. I agree with someone who suggested verifying the electrical works too. I wish this was available when I bought my 1929 Sport Coupe. Yet, the things I learned how to fix on the Sport Coupe (from local club tech sessions and your videos) was invaluable education for evaluating the next Model A -- a 1931 3-window Briggs Fordor.

Another great video, always a pleasure to watch a pro at work. Now I just need one of my own to play wit

Thanks paul I watch your videos almost every day

I have been waiting for you to do this video. Because I’m a boomer at heart and want one. Love the content, video quality, and thanks.

Thanks for the guide Paul lots of great tips!.

Very professional informative video. Very helpful! Thanks Paul!

I'm always in awe any hour of the day that I see any model from these years. I'm just in pure outstanding fascination. My favorite models are (and all fit in the same year preset mostly/ and this body style era so no 1932-33 into curved back ends per say) 1926-1931 Chysler (1929 DeSoto) 1920-1931 Oakland! Very rare 1920-1932 Nash My favorite 1920-1932 Hudson!! Came in iridescent pallets as early as the 1910's which is rarer for metallic shimmer paint. 1920-1932 Buick and it's wonderful grille around 24-25 boy that beautiful gothic tombstone-chrome of a grille 1922-28-33 Hupmobile (the brilliant Margaret purple 1928 greater eight 8 model was fascinating) 1920-1932 Stutz 1920-1931 Willy's knight/overland/whippet set models came in a ""vast"" array of colors such as Hawaiian Orchid and sentiment blue by 1931 Studebaker 1920-1932 (the president model is gorgeous, and the 1928 Commander Model EW is something else I'll tell ya) 1920-1931 Oldsmobile in general has always been gifted with elegant design and well held together bodies after now 100 years 1920-31 plus everything before the Dodge charger was made, is under seen by the general community which is a horrible shame since the 1938 Dodge station wagon is my personal favorite vehicle, but also because of how much history is being lost day to day because of the refusal for car lovers to think anything important came before the 1960's and or 1957-6-5. If only the world would only break that fake glimpse of rock& roll and diners with 1957 Chevrolets outside and implore deeper into the real past. Anyway I don't want to write so much so I'll just name off the rest of about the same years Pontiac Chevrolet (model AB Confederate is wonderful) Packard Plymouth Reo Flying cloud/ T6 Peirce arrow Peerless Cadillac of course Ruxton 1929-31 and about 51 more companies on top of that.

Fantastic video Paul, thanks. Also thank you for demonstrating on your Tudor which is my dream car. To me it’s the best body style and color combination and the Mitchell overdrive is the proverbial cherry on top.

My grandma was only a little girl when this car was made. This Ford Model A is very cool and still alive.

Just a well made video, good info. You clearly know what you are talking about and it is good to listen to

love the metaphors, advice, and videos ! thanks !

Great video thanks for your dedication to the hobby and sharing your knowledge of the car. Thanks 😊

Thanks Paul, this video was very well done as are all your videos.

Paul, I really enjoyed your video, and your car is so beautiful, it is exactly the color and everything I would look for.

Another fantastic video OM. Snow is here in Michigan, getting ready for our Christmas break, school bus inspections and related work and overtime. Miss driving our cars and gathering for a cruise. Hurry up spring, I have house hunting to do, we're retiring. Looking for a 4 car pole barn, workshop with a house. 73, Happy Holidays and keep healthy. Dale

Great video , helped a friend put a 2300 Ford engine and related parts in his A Model two door . Since the change over he has put 81,000 on it , it drives very well and he drives it most very day in the summer and fall months .............

holy shit this video is recently? omg I was legit just looking for a video out of curiousity thanks, your content is pretty good as I have seen a few of your other videos

A twenty year Model A guy gives you a thumbs up. Also, I like how you routed the Mitchell vent tube.

Really enjoyed this. They are beautiful cars and I've been wanting a good one for quite some time. So much that I'm ready to sell my Triumph TR6 to get one. Thanks so much and I can see the love.

Great buyers guide info for buying a Model A. Thanks!

interesting time to watch this video! I have 25 minutes to finish online bidding on a 29' model-a. Super cheap. However, after watching your video.... I'm not bidding. With my health, I'm searching for a more finished restoration. Thanks for the informative video. Saved me $ and headache.

My first job in 1948 was an apprentice embalmer at a local Funeral Home.Our body pickup hearse model A.The one we used for actual funerals was a 1938 Packard.Have you seen a ModelA hearse?I am currently 91 years old and my embalming days are long gone and my lifelong passion was Jazz guitar and spent 44 years in the auto parts ending 1996 as manager of a local NAPA store in Moncton NB Canada Really enjoy all your Ford ModelA videos Keep up the the great Vids

Gee Paul, after watching your videos I would just love to run out and buy a Model A. Unfortunately, I don't have anywhere to keep it, at least that wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg, and living in Canada., half the driving year is shot with crappy weather. I guess I have to live vicariously through you. Thanks for the great video. Hope you are feeling well.

My Dads first car was a 1931 Model A, he bought it in 1950 and drove it for two years. 🙂

Hi Paul, great video! As a companion to the buyers guide could you do a video on the things every new Model A owner should have to keep their Model A sorted? Tools, fluids, books etc? Nice to haves versus need to have? Spare parts to keep on hand?

Really good info, well done video.

Hi Paul, I always enjoy your U-Tubes. I must say I am thinking about buying a Ford Model A. I am thinking of a 2 door and if you don’t mind I might be asking you some questions every now and then. Just wanted to let you know I am glad you are doing better with your health issues. Thank you Sir and the best of health to you and your family. Chris.

slowly restoring my grandfathers first car 29 60 B Briggs body Model A. just found your channel

A+ sir!!!! I really enjoyed this video. "This" is exactly how I love to to watch youtube. very valuable content!

Thanks for the info. Now I know what to do when flipping a model A.

Just bought my first model A roadster deluxe convertible. It's a project but I am looking forward to working on it.

The Model A used in this video is a beautiful restoration.

Another fabulous video, you really know your stuff.

I have never thought "id like to buy that car just to have it, not even to drive it" until seeing a really nice A model like this one in person. They are really pretty buggies!

I enjoy all your informative videos 👍

EXCELLENT video Paul!

Thanks for sharing your hard earned knowledge and time. Hoping all is well with You And Yours. Long live and good health.

Another great video Paul. I wish the Model A was plentiful and (relatively) inexpensive here in Australia. They aren’t either. Home renovations are delaying my purchase of one. Anyway, I just live the Model A life vicariously through you and Adrian at Astra Werke. 😜

Great information, wonderful video! 😊

Great video. I probably wouldn't feel comfortable buying one from anyone but you unless you were there to hold my hand looking one over. I drool all over my desk everytime I see one of yours on the screen.

Great video! Thank you, Paul.

I did it with a '47 H-D Knucklehead! Built it to 80% factory specs!

Hi Paul. 👋 yours looks very similar to the one we have. Almost the same color. Thank you for sharing. 👍

I appreciate the buyer's guide and i'm a new subscriber to the channel. I recently found 2 Model A Sport Coupes, a 1930 and a 1931. Both run and drive, and one is completely original right down to the lack of paint. One is really pretty, but has had a hydraulic brake conversion, which kinda turns me off.I'll be looking at these soon, and it's good to know what to look for, thanks!

Hey Paul, Love the video, very helpful! I see your Tudor has seat belts! Would it be possible to make a video on how you installed them? Also, turn signals?

Very good Paul. Thank you.

I love the 30/31 hard top pickup

Your looking good man!👍 A tip on cracks in those Fenders, grind down to bare metal along the length of the crack. Find the end of the crack and drill a 1/8” hole at the end of the crack. This will terminate that crack--and a skilled welder with a modern wire welder machine can repair the crack permanently. (In the old days, they would grind a trough in the crack and silver solder, or braze it. )

Great information. I learned alot.

You have a beauty of a Tudor. Great colours.

I would love to have the car in this video. The Tudor is the body style I would want, and I love this color combo.

Paul awsom video enjoyed very interesting you know your stuff 👍

Paul, I just bought a bunch of early ford chassis's (7) and about a ton of parts. Is there a simple way to distinguish a model A frame from a model T frame without using the serial numbers ? You got me hooked - love your video's and your wife is a great resource as well. Happy to see you so well and recovered. Cheers -