So, in a earlier post we talked a bit about the car I was looking at that is owned by a friend. You guys have got me convinced that it's not a really good car for me. If possible, I would like to top out the budget at around $25K. Here's what I know I like, after extensively looking around:

Steel body. This is not negotiable. I'd love a 32 through 34, but I know that's not possible in steel at my budget, so it'll be a Model "A" coupe for me, due to budgetary constraints. It has to be a coupe, I do not want a roadster.

I am OK with fenders and a hood, but I feel more drawn to fenderless and hoodless. I actually have a photo of a car that I saw that I REALLY like. I tried to post a photo of it, but the forum told me that I was not yet allowed to post photos. It said that a moderator would look it over and allow it, but that hasn't happened. I'll try again in a separate post after this one. If that doesn't work I'll try posting a link to the photo. If that doesn't work, well.....I guess we'll all have to use our imaginations!

I like wide tires in the back, really wide if possible. The tall, wide back tire, and smaller but not skinny tire up front look appeals to me.

Most of the cars I see are powered by small blcok Chevy's. I can live with that, but it's certainly not the most innovative, unique or exciting engine in the world. My dream would be a early 392 Hemi, but I doubt that's in my budget,and they seem very hard to find in a '31 A coupe.

Going against the grain, I would prefer a standard shift car. The overwhelmingly huge majority of these cars are automatics. I can live with that, but would prefer a standard.

With a fendered car, I would prefer a front IRS. With a fenderless car I would prefer a solid front axle.

I would like a very nice interior, preferably a nicely done leather. Nice dash with decent gauges.

I like most colors, but the purples, lime greens etc don't do it for me. I don't like silver either, and I am not a fan of flames or other graphics. I like the paint one color, simple and classically elegant. Black, red, yellow, orange, blue....most of these are fine.

Prefer a decent chopped roof, looks like 2 1/2" to 3" is what I like based on looking.

Channeled - I really don't know.

I'm in Texas, so air conditioning would be a HUGE plus. If not I will install it if possible. How difficult is that? I've read about the tank in the cowl on the Model A coupes, I know that'll have to be moved as the big challenge in the A/C install seems to be the lack of space under the dash area to install the unit.

So, with all this, the question is, am I being realistic? I know the 392 Hemi is a stretch and unlikely to happen at my price point, but can I get a decent amount of what I want at my price level? I know I'll have to give on some of the things, as buying used you never get everything you want, you get everything that the original builder wanted. I completely get that.

Please, if anyone knows of a good candidate car for sale please send them my way. I got a PM from someone saying that they had a friend selling a car, but I never heard back.

Any and all input is gratefully welcome. By the way, in re-reading this, please don't be offended by some of the things that I don't like that your cars may have. That's why there are so many varieties of cars, different strokes for different folks, I guess.

Immediately following this post I'll post a photo of a car that other than the Hemi is what really strikes me. The car is in a for sale ad, but I can't reach the broker and the ad is no longer on his site so I assume it's sold.

Thanks, guys.