1930AADUMP

[1930AADUMP]

Finally have the truck home after purchasing last September. Sold an old John Deere Model LA to purchase the Ford. The kids had less interest in the JD after a few years of riding the neighborhood. After inspecting the AA at purchase and with a little research, it seemed like a fair deal. I knew the carburetor needed work as it ran a bit rough. Cosmetically, it has seen better days, many spray paint jobs (multiple colors), band aids and add ons. Not sure that much of anything is original. It appears to have had a plow on it at some point. Driving it away from the sellers home roughly two miles away, the radiator overheated and overflowed. Long story short, I stalled across the street from a gentleman who had been driving and working on Model A's for 50 years. Said he did not want another project but if I was not in a rush he would look at it. Turns out the engine was running on 2 cylinders. It was a mess and had never been put back together correctly. The engine is now complete and runs very well. I had to purchase a new radiator and decided after much contemplation to just keep the commercial A shell and buy a heavy duty A radiator. The truck appears to be very solid with a fair supply of surface rust particularly underneath. The bed has been beat up but again is solid. The wood side rails were added on at some point and there is some rot front and back. The pto works but leaks. No speedometer. The seats are serviceable but really need replacing. No plans to restore for show but have since joined the AA truck club and have ordered some of the recommended shop manuals. I do not have a shop or a garage to store so I will run it year round including the winter. Will likely need to add a manifold heater. Mostly interested in the mechanicals, prevent it from rusting away and enjoy with my family.

Paul

[1930AADUMP]

A few more pictures....

[1930AADUMP]

Last couple....

[blgitn]

Paul,

That's a good lookin' truck! Congrats.

R/ Roger.

[spdway1]

Nice truck neighbor.
Thanks for sharing...Keep on Trucking!

[wv model AA]

Don't worry about perfection. That's a neat truck! Go out and enjoy something that is over 80 years old!

/Jeff

[1930AADUMP]

That is the plan Jeff. I have lots to read and learn about these old gems. I do not have the resources, time or money to invest in a complete restoration. I would want to do it myself and that will not happen any time soon. In the mean time, I will fix some small things, remove some surface rust and spray paint areas to keep the rust away and just have fun with it.

My pictures really do not show the detail of all the things that have been modified, changed or added to the truck over the years. It appears to have been both a bright yellow and blue paint schemes at one time. Lots of welded pieces on the truck and frame. Must have had an interesting history.

Paul

[Stakebed]

All those "farmer fixes" and such i believe gives a truck character. I like it! Shows it was a true worker and loved enough over the years to keep it going!

Id do the same as you planned for her - maintain her, stop the decay, and drive and enjoy!

[Chris Haynes]

It can be restored 100 times. It is only original once. It is a survivor.

[BrianT]

Hello Paul,
If it steers --- stops safely --- and runs , give her or him a scrub down with some WD and go find a show, these old trucks are camera hogs regardless of looks,
Regards Brian.