1929 Ford Model A Closed Cab Pickup: $12,000
Price $12,000.
Jeff Moore
407-446-5638
We purchased “Henry” from eBay in January, 2020. Though basically sound, we’ve made a lot of improvements since then!
According to the date stamp on the gas tank, this pickup was assembled January 16, 1929. The engine number matches a January 1929 date.
The engine was rebuilt .030 oversized on the rods and mains, probably in the 90s. Not sure if the cylinders were also bored out. The bearings are poured, not inserted. The timing gear is solid. The points and condenser are the original style. The water pump is the sealed type, replaced about 2022. The radiator was recored at that time.
The transmission is sound, whines a bit except in third. We’ve put about 13,000 miles on. The speedometer had been long broken when purchased, had 32K on it, we finally had it repaired and it shows 11K now, our guess is the engine has about 15K on the rebuild, but that’s just a guess.
There’s a Marvel carburetor on it, seems bulletproof. Comes with a Zenith as well. We immediately converted to 12 volts and added a second tail light, LED headlamp bulbs, and turn signals. New wiring harness. Horn works.
After fighting the rust in the gas tank valiantly, the tank was removed, cleaned, and lined. No problems since then.
Cast iron brake drums and bonded shoes, new wedges up front, stops well.
Replaced the steering box and column with a mid-1950s F-100 box, shortened Pitman arm, steers very easily. Replaced the kingpins and bushings. Tracks well.
There are no shock absorbers. Radial tires, 21” wheels are powdercoated black.Recently replaced the left front fender and both splash aprons, repaired the right front fender, and painted that all black (formerly painted the same as the body color, red).
The pickup bed was crafted from wood, probably also in the 90s, but the tailgate is original.
The seat is the back seat from an old Jeep. It’s a little narrow, so I added cup holders and a tissue box of oak to each side. The ceiling is a piece of pegboard! The windows crank well, no cracked glass.
There is no windshield wiper—I was unable to find a rebuild kit for the one that came with the truck, and in attempting to make one working wiper from two non-working ones—well, it didn’t work!
“Henry” runs very well. I just drove from Daytona to Stuart and back, 150+ miles each way, in 95 degree heat, zero issues. Over 16 mpg. “Henry” is a driver.One day someone was bragging that their A would handcrank on one pull. I went to do the same. As I was getting the crank positioned “Henry” started! (This wasn’t a cold start, or someone would have had to give him that little bit of choke.)
Not a show car! The repairs done to the lower part of the doors and body were done stoutly but not prettily. I was told the color is “Walmart spray can red,” and I believe it!
If someone wanted to improve “Henry” at this point, here is my list:Smooth out the repairs to the bottom of the body and doors, and paint the body (the paint job on the fenders is serviceable, but I didn’t invest the time to make them perfect, so there’s some room for improvement there also) At least a new front spring, maybe a back spring, he leans left
Remove the radiator, take off the timing cover, and replace the rope front seal with an O-ring type (included), then adjust the radiator height to straighten the hood adjustmentArc the brake shoes for smoother stopsAdd an aftermarket modern shock absorber kitPaint the home-made side mirror brackets—I never got around to thatOr do none of this and just drive!!
