Pre-War Ford Trivia… Know your Stuff?

First of all, if you hate trivia questions, you can stop reading now and got straight to the HAMB. However, if your still on this page, and you’ve been around enough traditional hot rods or pre-war customs, you are well aware that the overwhelming majority of them are 1923- 1941 Ford vehicles. I’m sure there are a good number of Ford history buff’s on the Journal (like Bruce Lancaster!), and for them the following trivia will be easy as pie. For the rest of us, you might learn a little thing or two about Henry’s fine cars in the golden years…

(No peeking on the internet for your answers!)

1. Henry Ford famously said that Model T buyers could have their car any color they wanted as long as it was black. Do you know why he only painted the cars black for so many years?

2. Which one did Ford make more of: Model T’s or Model A’s, and by how much, roughly?

3. Who lead the Model A styling team (because Henry could care less about cosmetics)?

4. How can you tell a 1928 Ford Model A Roadster from a 1929 model at a glance?

5. What was the last year Ford offered a Roadster? How about a Phaeton model?

6. What was the last year Ford offered a Rumble Seat?

7. When Henry referred to his cars having “the safety of steel from pedal to wheel”, what was he referring to, and when did that change?

8. The Stromberg 97 is one of the most beloved carburetors in hot rodding. What years did they actually come stock on Ford’s from the factory?

9. Why are 1939 Ford brake drums unique to that year?

10. Why was the smaller Ford Flathead (offered 1937-40) called and why?