Minneapolis Street Sighting: Ford Model A Roadster Pickup

Yesterday I featured a beautiful, if not semi-worn stock Model A; today, I bring you its hot-rod cousin. This stunning pickup is owned by the same owner as the stock 1930 I previously featured. While I usually don't fall head over heels for hot-rods, this particular trucklet was extremely well-done, and... wait for it.. tasteful-- something most hot-rods I see aren't. Obviously this Model A garnered my attention because, honestly, how many hot-rods do you see on a daily basis this side of a car show? Exactly. And parked in Uptown with the rest of the yuppie-mobiles? Double win right there!
This example was clean; sporting a simple yet effective matte tan finish, this looked as if it could've come straight out of 1955. And judging by the 1940ish Ford chrome hubcap rings, it very well could've. No overdone anything here. Just a clean, simple throwback to what hot-rodding was like in yesteryear. No bling, no candy paint, no $25k engine, and no alcantara that's too nice to even sit in. This is a no-frills, to the point hot-rod. And for that I love it.
It's the kind of car you'd expect that badass in highschool circa 1955 to 1960 to drive. You know, the kid with the leather jacket, and slick backed hair? The one who drove a clean new pickup lowered on reverse chrome steelies? Yeah. This is his other car. All stereotypes aside, though, I dig this thing. I don't know what it is, either. There's just something about a clean, minimalist hot-rod that makes me go "oooooooooh". That reaction alone proves I am not a traditional car person, I am a total car geek.

Minneapolis Street Sighting: Ford Model A

This sighting was a rarity for me; in a land where pre-1950 classics are not the norm, even at car shows, this pristine Model A had me going gaga. Growing up, I never saw what the big deal was. I thought they were "too old" for me to like. As I aged, I began to appreciate them, not only for what they were, but I grew to appreciate them in general. It's not quite everyday I see one, either.
In all honesty, I'm still quite lukewarm on the Model A. I understand their place in automobile culture and history, but I'm just not "into" prewar cars very much. This example was very, very nice. The paint, and stance are correct, the yellow wire wheels are so 1930s it's cool. Normally, on a new car, I'd call this combo "rice", but it's factory here! Take that, Michigan-themed Honda Civic I see around all the time. The chrome on this example was not quite top-notch, but for a daily driver (which I understand this A is) it looked pretty good. The details (most noticably the plaque in the grill) revealed that this Model A is a driver, and does get its share of road use during the months that allow it. Considering its all manual in its functions, it's gotta be a pretty fun, not to mention unique, drive.
I talked to the owner, and he is the original owner, who bought the car new. Now that's what I call dedication. He's taken immaculate care of his pride and joy, and if you didn't notice the modern cars, nor the modern lettering in the signs, you'd be hard pressed to think this was shot recently. I have never seen a daily-driven, street-parked car this old, and in this condition. Major, major kudos to the owner for keeping such a historic vehicle alive and running.