Rare 1931 Canadian Suicide-door Sedan - Beautifully Restored on 2040-cars

- Older restoration in very good condition, with thousands of dollars spent on mechanical upgrades and drivability improvements

Up for auction is this beautiful suicide-door sedan, built in Canada, still with its 1931 Ontario plate. I bought this car recently from an older gentleman who was selling off his classic cars, as part of a ‘package deal’ so that I could acquire another car he had for sale that I was interested in. I have put about 50 miles on this Model A in order to ‘feel it out’ and thus be able to describe it accurately. The new owner will receive a thick file with all receipts documenting its mechanical upgrades over the last decade. However, some of what I have to say is based on the prior owner’s testimony which I have no reason to doubt - that being said, I am not a Model A guy so please do your homework regarding any details that interest you. The gentleman who owned the car before me bought it from The Guild of Automotive Restorers of Ontario, Canada in 2002 where it had already been restored. He then invested thousands of dollars upgrading the drivetrain to make it a reliable and capable touring car for excursions with his car club here in Montana. This car is in remarkable shape and I will try to describe it to the fullest extent possible. This is truly a gorgeous car and a great driver!

The best word to describe the cosmetic condition of this car is, “beautiful.” The body is augmented with a number of nice options, such as the accessory trunk and rack, dual side-mounted spare tires, tire covers, running board step plates, and radiator stone guard. The body is a two-tone dark blue and black with cream wheels and cream pinstripe. The bodywork and paint appear to have been done by a competent professional, and I haven’t noticed any glaring defects. Most likely, someone started with an excellent original body for this restoration. There are some minor chips here and there consistent with light use, many of which have already been touched-up. There is some ‘orange peel’ on the doors which could be wet-sanded out if someone wanted, and there is a ‘run’ in the dash paint to the right of the gauge cluster. The rear fenders are steel and the fronts fiberglass. All the glass appears to have been replaced, and the only defect I’ve found is a 3-inch crack in the rear window (hardly noticeable). The exterior chrome and stainless pieces are in excellent condition. All the wheels are in very nice shape, but the right spare was clearly rust-pitted before it was repainted and is the only one like it of the six. The lower radiator splash shield has some minor dents on the lower edge (see photos) that could probably be straightened out fairly easily. The top is in great shape and has had the edge sealed with black silicone. Overall, the car's exterior is in very impressive shape and makes a stunning impression.

Interior

The upholstery is in excellent condition, and is a handsome dark-grey ribbed broadcloth; this contributes to a very 'formal' feel inside the car. The seats are well bolstered and very comfortable, with no flaws I’ve detected other than one area of wear on the left side of the front seat (as shown in the up-close photo). The carpet, headliner and door panels are similarly in very nice shape and very clean. I see no signs of water leaks or damage of any kind. The interior features Robertson (square drive) trim screws, which the prior owner said was one of the features of a Canadian Model A. The gauge surround gleams, and all the gauges work. All the windows, handles, etc work as they should. All the lights (including the dome) work, as does the Spartan “A-OOO-GA” horn, and the car has been upgraded with turn signals hidden in the driving and tail lights. There is an electric wiper which won't turn on, but I haven’t investigated the problem. The car also comes with an accessory vintage manifold heater for spring and fall driving, which is currently removed but attaches easily when needed.

This car’s cosmetic beauty is matched by its outstanding running gear and performance. The motor was professionally rebuilt at RAM Engine of Spokane, WA, including a .050 overbore, rebabited bearings, “hot” cam grind, and high-compression head. It has about 1000 miles on it since. It starts instantly and idles very low, with no visible exhaust. The previous owner estimated the current horsepower to be about 60, and he testified as to how noticeable the power difference was after the improvements. Whereas I understand that most Model A’s (especially 4-doors) top out at about 45 mph, this one will cruise at 55 mph, as confirmed by my GPS. Since the rebuild the car has only been fed premium, ethanol-free fuel. The transmission was opened up and resealed at the time of the motor installation, and the gears were found to be German made and in flawless condition. There is no rear axle or transmission ‘whine’, and the car shifts solidly. The flywheel was surfaced and balanced, and the clutch replaced. The radiator was gone through also, and the car stays cool even in 90 degree heat and hasn’t leaked since I've owned it. The water pump was replaced with the ‘leakless’ ball bearing type when the motor was rebuilt. The wiring harness was replaced in 2004, and the battery is only about a year old and very strong. The generator charges well. The whole brake system has been rebuilt from end to end, and the car stops well and evenly. The front end has also been rebuilt (see photo). The tires were replaced 10 years ago, show little wear, and no cracking; the tires and wheels are well-balanced and I can’t detect any vibration even at high speed. In short, I can’t imagine a more solid and powerful drivetrain in a Model A, and it needs nothing mechanically as far as I can tell. I have used it over the last week as my daily driver, without fail, and it keeps up pretty well with modern traffic. This included two highway trips of 10 miles each at full speed, also with no problems.

This is a remarkably preserved car with thousands of dollars of improvements, all ready to go. You can just turn the key and enjoy it, and I'm confident you won't find a better one for the money. This would make a great touring car and is very comfortable, capable, and reliable. Even with four adults inside, it doesn’t slow down a bit. I have gone to great lengths to describe the car accurately and in detail, including its minor flaws, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. However, my experience with the car is limited, and moreover, this is an 83 year old car and all potential buyers are encouraged to ask questions and see the car in person before bidding; it is located in Belgrade, MT and is available for any potential bidder to see in person and drive. It is sold "AS-IS" and "WHERE-IS" and absolutely no warrantees are made concerning it or its condition, either expressed or implied. The title is clear and notarized. Please note that a $500 Paypal deposit is due at auction close, and that the only payment that I will accept is the balance in cash upon delivery, or a PayPal payment with the buyer paying all fees. I will not accept any checks.

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