1931 Ford Model A Special Delivery

This 1931 Ford Model A Special Delivery is a gorgeous pre-war truck that underwent an exceptionally well-done, extensive restoration. When Henry Ford's namesake company...

This 1931 Ford Model A Special Delivery is a gorgeous pre-war truck that underwent an exceptionally well-done, extensive restoration. When Henry Ford's namesake company released the Model T, it was a major sales success in large part due to its affordability and thus attainability by ordinary, working folks. In fact, the Ford Model T sold extremely well for nearly 20 years but by the end of the 1920s Ford's competitors began to catch up and the T was nearing the end of its run. While affordable, the Model T lacked the modern style the public desired and the modern amenities found on Ford's competitor's cars. In May of 1927, Ford announced that it would stop producing the Model T and would replace the car with a brand new one, the Model A. Formally introduced to the public on December 2, 1927, the Model A was the Ford Motor Company's latest and greatest automobile and the Model T era officially came to a close. From the late 20s into the early 30s the Model A dominated the American automotive market, with the company producing nearly 3.5 million Model A cars and trucks in the 4 year production run. The Model A was touted for its high style, updated amenities (such as 4 wheel brakes and its standard shift transmission), high number of different body styles, and all for a reasonable price that many folks could afford, even during one of the worst financial periods in the world, the Great Depression. During the span of 1928-1931, the Model A was offered in seemingly countless body styles, from every day Tudors and Fordors, to Roadsters and Phaetons. The Model A was also the commercial vehicle of choice for many businesses, with Ford producing Model A Pickup Trucks, Panel Vans, and Delivery Vehicles. One of the rarest commercial body styles available was the Model 255-A Special Delivery. Built by the Baker-Rauling Company from Cleveland, Ohio, the Special Delivery, also known as the Natural Wood Panel Delivery, was essentially a Model A Station Wagon without rear side windows, and sported a two door configuration, as opposed to the Station Wagon's four doors. All Special Deliveries were painted Manilla Brown with Black fenders, with the wooden rear section finished with a natural wood look finished in a high gloss spar varnish. Likewise, all of the Natural Wood Panel Deliveries had identical black imitation leather seating, wooden door panels, and fixed glass windows in the rear barnyard doors. In total, Ford produced only 900 Model 255-A Special Delivery trucks during the short span of 1930-1932. This particular example comes to us from a collector who owned the truck for the past 10 years after procuring it from a southern-based collection. Under the hood on this '31 Model A Natural Wood Panel Delivery is a 200.5 Cubic Inch L-Head Inline 4 cylinder engine fed by a single barrel carburetor that together were said to have produced 40 horsepower when new. The 201 Inline 4 is backed by a 3 speed manual transmission that is shifted using a floor mounted shifter. Exhaust exits the Ford powerplant via a single exhaust setup that generates a nice throaty sound out of the rear tailpipe. This Model A Special Delivery comes equipped with several desirable options. The driver's side outside mirror is a wonderful addition since it makes backing into a tight parking space much easier. Riding on a set of wide whitewall bias-ply tires, mounted on painted wire wheels that are accented with chrome hubcaps, this 1931 Ford has gorgeous look, whether parked at the local car show or cruising down the road. In addition, this Model A Special Delivery comes with a matching sidemounted spare tire that further elevates the exterior look of the truck. The upper steel portion of the body consisting of the hood, cowl, and windshield frame has been correctly refinished in beautiful Manilla Brown paint, accented with black painted steel fenders. Originally built by the Baker-Rauling Co., the wooden rear section has been beautifully and meticulously refinished during the restoration, completing the exterior look of this truck. Like the exterior, the interior of this 1931 Ford Model A Special Delivery is absolutely stunning! The front bench seat has been correctly reupholstered in beautiful Black Cobra Cross Grain Imitation Leather. The wooden floor, black rubber floor mat, painted dash, chrome instrument cluster, wooden slat roof, inner wood paneling, and front and rear door panels, are all in excellent condition and retain a nice stock appearance. Instrumentation includes an 85 MPH speedometer, amp gauge, and fuel gauge. Whether you're adding to your existing collection of Model A cars and trucks or you're buying your very first pre-war classic car, this 1931 Ford Model A Special Delivery would make an excellent choice. Give Ellingson's a call today at 763-428-7337!