This 1930 Ford Model A coupe was built by the seller as a hot rod around a boxed Model A frame and is powered by a rebuilt 239ci Ford flathead V8 with dual Holley 94 carburetors. The build combines a ’30 Model A frame, a ’29 Special Coupe body, ’32 Ford-style grille shell, four-inch-dropped front axle, hairpin suspension, front disc brakes, a ’39 Ford three-speed manual transmission, and a ’39 Ford rear axle. The car is finished in satin red over red tuck-and-roll vinyl and features 16″ Ford wire wheels, a rumble seat, lake-style headers, and a 12-volt electrical system. This Model A is now offered with a Texas title in the seller’s name.
The body is finished in satin red, and exterior details include a ’32 Ford-style grille shell, tilt-out windshield, dual side mirrors, dual taillights, and a reconstructed hardwood roof structure with Model A-style fabric. The seller states that the original body had rusted areas repaired in metal. The interior of the body, doors, and rumble seat were insulated. Safety glass is fitted throughout except for the current polycarbonate windshield; a glass windshield is included with the sale. Door, window, dashboard, and rumble-seat hardware has been replaced.
The front suspension uses a four-inch-dropped Model A axle with hairpin radius rods and transverse leaf spring, while the rear uses modified hairpins and a transverse leaf spring. Tube shocks are fitted front and rear, and steering is handled by a Vega steering box. Braking is provided by front discs and rear drums with a dual-circuit master cylinder.
The 16″ Ford wire wheels are mounted with Otani tires measuring 195/65 front and 235/70 rear, with a spare mounted at the rear.
Red tuck-and-roll vinyl covers the bench seat, with matching upholstery on the rumble seat and headliner. A floor-mounted “Ooogah” horn is fitted. The seller notes that the headlight dimmer switch still needs to be wired.
The steering wheel fronts new period-style gauges including a speedometer, ammeter, and fuel-level gauge. The five-digit odometer reads zero miles and is not currently functional because the correct speedometer gear and cable have not been installed. The seller reports that fewer than 100 miles had been driven since completion.
The 239ci Ford flathead V8 was rebuilt in 2019 and installed in 2024. The engine uses 1953 Mercury heads, a 2×2 intake from Speedway Motors, dual Holley 94 carburetors, lake-style headers with removable baffles, and a Champion aluminum radiator. The seller states that an Isky 3/4 camshaft is included with the sale but was not installed due to valve-clearance concerns with the stock heads.
A ’39 Ford three-speed manual transmission, a new clutch plate and pressure plate were installed, and a ’39 Ford banjo were used, and the car uses an open driveline conversion.
Images showing the build in progress are presented in the gallery.
From the seller:
I am presenting this newly-built “old-school period-correct” high-boy 1928 Ford Model A Hot Rod. It is powered by a rebuilt, good-running dual carbureted 1952 Ford flathead on a boxed 1930 Model A frame, hence titled as a ‘30. Its bows to modernity are juice brakes and front disks for safety. The aluminum radiator fitting into the ’32 shroud keeps its cool. Windows all around are safety glass except the windshield, which is Plexiglas. However, a correct glass windshield is included with the sale.
The un-chopped top of the ultra-rare Special Coupe wood frame was totally reconstructed using correct hardwood and fasteners just like Henry made it. The Model A top fabric was professional stretched, as was the red vinyl tuck & roll upholstery all around and on its rumble seat.
This car presses all the buttons for a certain 1950s eye candy vibe: Ford V-8, dual Strombergs, boxed frame to handle the torque, ’39 Ford rear… no PS, no PB, no slush box, no megawatt sound system, no A/C… just like the stuff we sourced from a junkyard or pulled out of the woods and built up with our car club buds. Tidy – so cool, butter won’t melt on it.
The Henry donor body was quite straight, since corrected. The satin paint presents nicely, masking light filler to all but the most critical casual eye. Special taillights nail the right vibe.
The car runs and drives nicely and has been taken to several local car shows where it gets a lot of attention.
I developed his mechanical skills restoring and refurbishing old iron to like-new condition for many years. Now in my 90s, I built this 1950s style hot rod to be his final pinnacle of restoration success, and it shows. I invites bidders to see my work in Houston.
The The car is titled in Texas as a 1930 Ford using the VIN A2103475. The title carries a VIN Certification Waived remark.
