We sell a lot of hot rods and a lot of Model As, so you'd think quite a few Ford 5-window coupes would have passed through our showrooms. Wrong. Turns out, these are still somewhat uncommon, and when they're done to the level of this 1931 Ford coupe, it makes it easy to understand why their owners are reluctant to let them go. It's not radical, but it sure is pretty and that counts for a lot in the hot rod world!Neat to see a Model A coupe without a chopped top or fenders that have been removed. Instead, this one is an all-steel car with fiberglass fenders that retains the factory look. The '32 grille shell seems to be the lone modification, but it's a good one that makes the car seem longer and sleeker than it is. The Burnt Orange finish is a great color that glows in the sunlight and emphasizes many of the Ford's curves and ornate details, things that make it look far more expensive than it is. The builder wisely kept the stainless trim largely intact, including the bumpers, cowl lights, and taillights, and there's even a correct luggage rack mounted out back. Fit and finish are very good, surprising for a Model A, and it's clear that a lot of time went into getting the little stuff right before they started spraying paint. Man, they really built this thing right.The tan interior is beautifully trimmed and the vinyl upholstery is not only durable, but it does a great impersonation of leather so it feels upscale. Door panels were trimmed to match so it seems period correct and the original dash has been carefully modified to blend old and new in a seamless way. There are classic Auto Meter gauges along the center, a steering wheel that looks to be from a '50s Ford, and A/C ducts neatly installed in a panel underneath (the system needs to be serviced). Dark carpets anchor the interior and a stubby shifter manages the TH350 3-speed automatic transmission underneath. An AM/FM/CD stereo head unit is tucked out of the way up on the headliner and the windshield still tilts open for ventilation on not-so-hot days. And unlike most rods, this Model A still has a fully operational and comfortable rumble seat, ideal for taking friends along when you cruise.Nothing radical under the hood, just a bulletproof 350 Chevy V8 dressed neatly and built to be reliable. There's plenty of power on tap, don't worry, thanks to an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and intake, center-bolt heads, and a set of block-hugging headers. Plenty of polished aluminum and chrome makes it worthwhile to open the hood at shows and the big radiator and electric fan don't have any problem keeping things cool. The chassis is augmented with an A-arm front suspension, coil-over shocks, rack-and-pinion steering, and disc brakes, while the Ford 9-inch rear end is suspended on a 4-link. Twin fuel cells give this car massive cruising range and the frame is heavily reinforced and the floors are painted to match the bodywork, making for a very clean presentation. A custom dual exhaust system with glasspack-style mufflers sounds suitable for a '30s hot rod and the stance is perfect with those Torque Thrust wheels and 195/60/15 front and 255/70/15 rear BFG radials.Solid, comfortable, powerful, and fun, this Ford coupe gets everything right. If you're looking for an unusual turn-key Ford that doesn't stray too far from the norm, this is a fantastic choice. Call today!
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