Classic/Antique Car Repair: MODEL A SEDAN BODY, windshield design, neighborhood kid

Question
HI.I PICKED UP AN OLD MODEL A SEDAN BODY YEARS AGO,WITH THE IDEA OF BUILDING A LOW BUDGET ROD ,BUT I NEVER GOT AROUND TO IT ,AND NOW I NEED TO GET RID OF SOME "PROJECTS".I THOUGHT IT REALLY WASN'T WORTH MUCH 'CUZ IT'S A FORDOR BODY STYLE AND NEEDS MEGA WORK.I RECENTLY WAS TOLD BY ONE OF THE LOCAL "A" RESTORATION GUYS THAT IT'S PRETTY RARE 'CUZ IT'S GOT THE WINDSHIELD THAT LEANS BACK SLIGHTLY.I WON'T ASK FOR AN APPRAISAL OR WHAT YOU THINK IT'S WORTH, I JUST WANTED A LITTLE MORE INFO AND POSSIBLY FACTS ON PRODUCTION NUMBERS SO I COULD GET A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT I HAVE AND WHAT IT'S WORTH.I ALMOST SOLD IT TO A NEIGHBORHOOD KID LAST YEAR WHO OFFERED ME $150 BUCKS, BUT DECIDED AGAINST IT AFTER I HAD A CHANCE TO SEE HIS LATEST MECHANICAL "ABORTION".IF IT'S REALLY RARE,I'D HAVE KICKED MYSELF.ANY INFO WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED, SINCERELY, BRIAN IN MICH.

Answer
Hello Brian,

First off, I'll tell you that I'm interestd in finding a similar body as yours for an "A" project I'm working on. If you could take a few pictures, advise where the body is physically located and forward them to: pkrd40@aol.com, I'd be much obliged.

I mention this to you first so you know of any possible conflict of interest in giving you accurate information.  I don't work this way but I wanted to be honest up front.

The most common and least expensive "A"'s are the 2 door sedans, most expensive are Roadster Pickups, Phaetons, Convertible coupes and so on. The Fordor falls in the middle as far as value because these were not Ford bodies as are the others, They were made by coachbuilders Murray and Briggs, the later of which has that interesting sloped windshield design. As a result, these  were the most expensive in the Ford line when new, even more than the open cars which are so expensive today. I like them because they're the only "A" with an adjustable front seat, all the others are fixed!! You come to appreciate those things when you're 6'4"!

As far as value, A's run a wide gammount from $1K to over $40K. A 1K car would typically be an incomplete, partly or fully disassembled car needing it all. A $40K car would be fully restored to a high standard with a popular body. Most "A"'s fall in the range $8K-22K range depending upon condition and body style. Rarity and values of Fordors will fall in between the 2 extremes. From what you describe , your car will fall near the low end of the scale for the reasons I stated.

Thus, while you haven't struck gold on this car, it is a very nice vehicle when restored to orginal. I hope this helps. I hope that my possible interest in your oar has  not clouded my descriptions and evaluations. I don't think so but that's up for you to decide!

Best,

Bob Russell
770-605-7036