I am going to look at a 29 two door sedan Sunday, I have never been around a model A, so what should I be aware to look for to make it a deal breaker? The man says it will run and drive and everything works. I thought I would look the frame over good, wiring, suspension and wiring, what else should I look for?

 

 

I have seen so many pretty decent looking Model As that were really cobbled together and the best thing you can do is take some one along who knows them well.I used to hang out in a firend's place and all he did was Model As. Every single one that came in there bought by a person who wasn't familiar with them ended up having expensive issues. Like an engine that basically ran ok but had a weird noise. Tore down and it had .100 over (sloppy) pistons and chunks missing from the babbit. Another had brakes that were a little weak and pulled, ended up needing everything and there are some things at the wheel which slop out after time, expensive. Well tuned and tight model A brakes should lock up all 4 and stop straight.
There a a bunch of them that have been amateur restored at some point, look for sloppy patches, bondo, pitted parts like wheels, that have been sandblasted and painted over. Look for cracks or old repairs on the cross members where the springs bolt on. Remember, many of these cars lived where there were no paved roads.
Model A prices have been on the decline for several years so don't pay 2000 prices for one. You can get a decent running older restoration sedan for $4500 if you shop around a little.

 

Thanks so much fellas, a big help!

 

I went to check it out and I had to pass. As the owner backed it out of the garage I noticed a lot of clutch chater and lug nuts missing on the wheel. The section on the back above the spare tire carrier at one time had been pushed in and a cobble job on trying to push it out. Lots of bondo in both rear fenders, and the body in general looked like it had been in a bad hail storm. Underneath the driveline tube leaked at both ends plus leaks from transmission and motor. It had a new water pump but the belt was in terrible shape. The front axle top leaf had a cobbled up weld on it, and the more you looked the worse it got. I felt sorry for the young man who bought it he was in it for $7500 and needed to get his money back, he will wait a long time.