Telephone Truck: 1931 Ford Model A Closed Cab Pickup – Sold?

December 28, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this unique Model A Ford pickup “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

It’s one thing to go about restoring an antique Ford Model A pickup. If you want to take the restoration challenge up a notch, try restoring a specially converted Model A and source all of the vintage equipment one would have found in the truck back in the day.  That’s exactly what intrigued us about this restored 1931 Ford Model A Telephone Installers pickup originally listed in December 2021 on Craigslist in Waltham, Massachusetts (Boston) appears to be a finely restored example right down to the vintage Rochester Telephone Equipment found stored in the Truck’s specially designed closed bed.

Currently offered for $32,500, comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their Rochester Telephone Model A priced between this guide’s #2 “Excellent” estimate of $29,400 and its #1 “Concours” appraisal of $40,900.

Ford launched the Model A to replace its 18-year-old Model T in the fall of 1927.  Unlike the T, however, production of the A lasted only five model years until 1932.  The Model A was the first Ford to use the standard set of driver controls with conventional clutch and brake pedals, throttle, and gearshift. Previous Fords used controls that had become uncommon to drivers of other makes. The Model A’s fuel tank was situated in the cowl, between the engine compartment’s firewall and the dash panel. It had a visual fuel gauge, and the fuel flowed to the carburetor by gravity. A rear-view mirror was optional. The Model A was the first car to have a safety glass windshield.

The Hagerty Insurance YouTube Channel provides this Buyer’s Guide that is a must-watch if you are considering the purchase of any stock Model A Ford:

As someone who went to college in Rochester and spent much of my adult life there, I personally like the Rochester Telephone provenance this restored 1931 Ford Model A pickup provides.  Selfishly, I hope a collector in the Rochester area winds up adding this truck into their collection.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Very Rare, Authentic, Well Restored, and Documented. Correct period equipment and a known history from new.
The four-year restoration was completed in 1984, and the truck has won many awards and recognitions.
For many years the restored truck was on display in the Rochester, NY Phone Company office, and eventually was
returned to one of the phone company executives who restored the truck for Rochester Telephone Corporation.
The restoration remains at a high-quality level, and this rare and desirable Phone Company Installation & Service
The truck would be (very competitive/win) its class in shows and be an asset to any collector of rare and high quality
historical vehicles.“

Show or go: what would you do with this restored 1931 Ford Model A Telephone Truck?  Comment below and let us know!