Retro rods are red hot right now, just have a look at our inventory and note that we can’t seem to keep cars like this 1929 Model A Phaeton in stock. An all-steel car, it’s got small block Chevy power, a trick suspension, and a very cool retro vibe that will take you back to the AutoRamas of your childhood.
Done right, the phaeton is arguably the best-looking of all Model As, and this bright red example totally nails the right look. It comes from the “Baron” Laurence Hill Dorcy Estate, and if you do a quick Google search on his name you’ll find that cost-no-object restoration projects were his passion. As a result, this phaeton is not some homemade build that didn’t have a lot of careful planning behind it. Instead, it was built to compete and drive, and it should be no surprise that it is welcome at just about any event with that stunning bright red paint that still looks ready to show even after several years of enjoyment. Experts will note that it has a very authentic look, including exposed hinges, painted headlight buckets, and a genuine Boyce Moto-Meter on top of the radiator. Full fenders and running boards are a neat period alternative to the ubiquitous hi-boy look and it even has bumpers and wind wings to make it more usable in the real world. It all gives this car a look that’s straight out of a vintage “Hot Rod” magazine.
In the ’70s, cars like this had pleated bench seats that looked like a Las Vegas lounge booth, but today we’re all about function as well as style. With that in mind, this slick little Ford got beautifully finished and adjustable, black leather bench seats that were subtly recontoured and relocated to add a bit more space. Simple vertical pleats, both on the seats and the doors, give it a vintage appearance that keeps with the car’s original era and remains comfortable for cruising. The original instrument panel in the center of the dash remains, but is now filled with period-looking Ford Motorsports gauges that surprisingly work quite well. In pure phaeton style, there is no heater, no stereo beyond the side pipes, and the only weather protection you get is a beautifully made black canvas convertible top that folds neatly behind the back seat. There’s also a trunk fastened to the back which offers some useful storage space for tools and detailing supplies.
Mechanically, the cars of the past were, like today, powered by small block Chevys, in this case a 307 cubic inch V8 topped with an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor. Designed to show off, the nicely detailed engine snarls and barks through refinished ram’s horn exhaust manifolds and a custom dual exhaust system, and with its miniscule curb weight, performance is explosive. It also shows off some trick fabrication, including a modified firewall, neat plumbing and wiring, and a custom shroud for the electric fan on the radiator. It’s backed by a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission and a Jaguar independent rear end with inboard disc brakes, 3.73 gears and lots of chrome. The front suspension a traditional dropped I-beam with discs on the ends and you can see that the underside is as neatly detailed as the top. Painted steelies with trim rings and baby moon hubcaps are a period-perfect look, and it wears skinny 185/70/14s up front and 225/70/15s in back for a classic stance.
With a great story behind it, you know this is a quality build that you can trust. Take a trip back in hot-rodding history and give us a call today!
Price: Auction
More info: Listing has ended. Click to search on eBay for similar 1929 Ford Model A (Affiliate link)
