For sale: Model A Ford collection

The owner has a story behind each vehicle in his collection.
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Larry Cradler knows his Model A Fords just by the sound of their putt-putt-putt.
"That's the Roadster!" he declared as puffs of white smoke burped from the cone-shaped muffler of the 1928 car with the rumble seat.
"That's the 1931 Phaeton," Cradler said as his son, Dan, turned the key on a just-restored four-door number with a low rumble, a canvas top and a rust-free body painted bluer than the deep blue sea.
As the pristine engine of a 1931 U.S. Mail truck sprang to life, Larry Cradler, 72, drew himself up in his wheelchair.
The former welder closed his eyes as his son-in-law, Travis Miller, squeezed the truck through the door frame of the Hamilton County Fairgrounds' poultry barn.
To the purring of the truck's engine, Cradler announced: "Post Office truck. Model AA. 1 1/2 tons. Delivered mail in Cincinnati. Thousands made. Only 12 exist."
Cradler has passionately collected, lovingly restored and happily driven Model A Fords for 57 years. "Some people go to the saloon and pour their money down the drain for a hobby," he said. "I had fun collecting these cars."
The collection goes on the auction block today at the fairgrounds.
What's included
Items in the Cradler collection fill 3 1/2 barns. Under four roofs are 17 roadworthy antique cars and trucks, a dozen cars in various stages of restoration, hundreds of vintage license plates and gas station memorabilia. The collection also features enough spare Model A parts from doors and windshields to dozens of engine blocks, chrome-plated radiator collars and brake shoes to stock an assembly line.
"Other collections in the country may have more high-dollar cars. But, as far as parts, no one has this many," said Tim Schmidt, a Sharonville resident and former treasurer of the Dearborn, Mich.-based national Model A Restorers Club.
"You can't take these cars with you. So, it's time to let someone else play with my toys," Cradler said with a smile and a tear.
These are sad times for the Sharonville man. Diabetes has robbed Cradler of his mobility and ruined his eyesight.
Even if he felt well enough and had 20-20 vision, he would have trouble holding onto his collection. His oldest son, Dave, shared his passion for Model A cars. Dave Cradler died Feb. 3 of pancreatic cancer. He was 46.
"Dave restored the mail truck," Dan said. "The Phaeton was his last project. He was too sick to finish it."
The mail truck served as a hearse for Dave Cradler's funeral.
"We had 40 Model A's in the funeral procession," said Miller.
Memories
Each car and truck in the barn holds its share of memories. Dan Cradler wheeled his dad to the 1928 Model A truck. A sign on the side advertised the family firm, "Sharon Welding," which became Sharon Lawn Equipment.
"My first Model A," Larry Cradler said, beaming at his old pal.
"It was chained to a tree in Sharonville. I had to have that truck. Traded it for restoring the owner's other Model A."
Before he got the truck, Cradler hauled his welding equipment in an even older Model T. "That old thing only went 25 miles per hour. The Model A could go," Cradler recalled.
"I drove one to Alaska and back in 1986. That one hit 55 on the back roads. I got 20 miles to the gallon."
Dan Cradler reminisced about the 1928 truck. "We'd ride in the back to picnics," he said. "It was rough. But fun."
The truck had none of today's options. No CD player. No power brakes. No air conditioning.
"It had air," Cradler protested. "Just roll the windows down."
As Larry Cradler spoke, his son slipped away to join his brother-in-law. They moved the cars outside.
Larry Cradler took the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the mail truck one last time.
For old time's sake, he hit the horn.
"Ah-oo-gah!" it moaned.
"Still works," Cradler said. He smiled and patted the smoothly finished dashboard. A tear fell to the steering wheel.
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.