1930 Ford Model AA 2 Axle Rigid Body Dropside Lorry *Sold £4,000*

Description

• Stored for many years
• Engine believed to have been rebuilt
• A great winter project

The Ford Model AA truck was introduced as the Model T and TT became obsolete and needed to be replaced; Henry Ford began initial designs on the Model A and Model AA in 1926. Basic chassis layout was done rapidly, and mechanical development moved forward quickly. Body design and style was developed and then outsourced to various body manufacturers, including Briggs and Murray. The designs of the Model A shared parts and materials with the Model AA Ford, notably the body, engine and interior. The AA usually received plainer interiors than their car counterparts. The Model AA followed similar design changes to the Model A during the AA’s four years in production, often delayed anywhere from three to nine months. The mechanical changes and upgrades were done during production of the vehicles. Body changes that occurred between 1929 and 1930 were also integrated into AA production, and leftover parts were used longer in the heavy commercial trucks.

This particular Ford Model AA truck was originally purchased by our vendor back in 1978, it was then registered with the DVLA with the V5 placed in our vendor’s name. Originally running and in very good condition it has obviously deteriorated somewhat over the years.

Supplied with the V5, various pieces of random historic paperwork that includes: an engineer’s report dated 1978 stating the truck as being satisfactory and roadworthy, the last MOT from 1^st June 1984 – with a mileage reading of 54,170, a 1930s CWT operators manual and not a lot else.  Unfortunately, the keys and crank starter have been lost during its substantial storage years.

Our vendor explained that it was last used in 1984 and subsequently stored in various locations ever since, the last storage location being a restorer’s yard where it has sat for the last seven years. The said restorer was instructed to restore the truck from the ground up and started with the engine – which was completed around 2016. Unfortunately, since it then has sat in the yard with endless excuses as to why the bodywork was not started.

Being busy with life our vendor admits to not being pushy enough, and the result is the Ford Model AA we see here. Eventually, and after much angst, the decision was made to give up on the restorer and bring the truck back to our vendor’s possession.

Now, with even less time and inclination, the truck comes to market. It will be sold as a restoration project and with not a great deal known about its condition other than what you see here.

We do know that the vehicle rolls freely as it was pushed into its current position from the delivery truck, we also expect that with fresh fuel and a little recommissioning the 2.5 litre engine mated to a manual box will start and run, please note this cannot be confirmed as it has not been started since it was returned from the restorer. As previously mentioned, it was running when it arrived at the restorer, and it is claimed by the restorer that it has been recommissioned.

As you can see from the images the exterior will need a good clean to be assessed properly but we can take for granted it has not fared too well in the storage yard; at the very least the bottom of the doors will need some attention, at worst the cab will need restoration.

The positives are that everything is there, and it all seems to be in a restorable condition. Our vendor shared that it was always a very solid truck and to be honest, our experience is that these are pretty robust underneath.

Clearly the dropside panels are in need of work but they are the easy bit. The interior, although very dirty from standing for so long, looks to be in surprisingly good condition, and we suspect a good valet will deliver very positive results.

Unfortunately, there is not a great deal else to be said about the truck other than, on the outset, it looks like a very doable restoration project for someone to get stuck into over the winter months.  Especially if the engine and running gear turn out to be in the condition we believe them to be in.

Our view

These Ford Model AA trucks have always been sought after and they don’t come around too often, agreed this needs a bit of loving but we do feel it is a great starting point to begin with. Fully restored examples are pushing good money and if our vendor had the time and inclination, he would restart his beloved project. Sensibly he has had the realisation he will just not get the time so has offered it with a reasonable reserve for someone else to become its new custodian.