| : I bought this model A as a 1929 fordor, but found out it was not due to the door post not being exposed. So it must be a 1930 or 1931. From reading up some more it must be a 1931 due to the one peice splash guard, recessed rad shroud and the indented firewall for the gas line. The car has three side windows all the windows crank open. The ser.# on the engine is AA4165294 I can not find one on the frame if it is located on the top left by the clutch. Also how do you know if it is a standard or town sedan?Any info would be of great help, Thank-You. David,
I can understand your frustration. It can be confusing since a lot can happen over 60+ years.
1. The door post or "coupe pillar" of the early (28 & 29) A's wasn't used on the fordors except the taxi cab.I have a '29 Town Sedan and it always throws people off who remember the coupe pillar of the 28/29 A's.Several sources will back this up.See "Henry's Lady" and "The Model A Ford - As Henry Built It" among others.
2. The one piece splash guard does indicate a '31 as opposed to a '30.However, the 28 & 29's had one piece also.
3. I'm not sure about the recessed rad shroud.Are you talking about the shell around the outside of the radiator?If so, then you are right in that the top portion of the radiator shell has a recessed insert that is not integral with the rest of the shell and is supposed to be painted the same color as the upper portion of the body.The '30's were one piece with the rest of the "shroud".By the way the Ford emblem in the center of this is stainless steel as opposed to the blue enamel of the 3 earlier years.
4. Here is the dead give away. The indented firewall didn't come into existence until about Apr. of '31. So this may be the proof of the pudding!
5. You don't mention if the windshield is "slanted" or straight.The '31 slant windshield fordors have all three windows that crank open.Slant window cars also do not have a sun visor above the windshield like most of the earlier cars.
6. It appears that the engine has been replaced sometime over the life of the car as the "AA" indicates a truck engine serial number.Not to worry though, they are the same engine dimensionally and are interchangeable.
7. As for the serial number on the frame, this can be tricky. While it should be on the side rail near the front body mounting bolt hole, it can be very worn in that area.However, I have a late model frame (also for a slant window car, a Victoria) that the serial number is stamped close to the rear of the frame almost to the rear cross member.Still on the left (driver's) side rail.
8. Now I'm getting a little further out on the limb here... I believe the standard fordors of the '31 variety did not have cowl lights, did not have arm rests in the back seat including a center pull down and had plain door handles on the inside as opposed to the more "scrolled" type.Your best bet is to get a copy of the Model A Judging Standards and Restoration Guidelines from either the Model A Ford Club or the Model A Restorers Club.
MAFCA
250 South Cypress St.
La Habra, CA 90631 MARC
24822 Michigan Ave.
Dearborn, MI 48124 They also have phone numbers but I don't have these handy.I believe MAFCA now has where you can order by phone with a credit card, I'm not sure about MARC.
Good Luck on that A!!! Let us know how you are doing.
John |
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