My fatherr inlaw passed away and my wife and me received a 31 model a was told it was a 5 window coupe. It has been in many peices for many years in barn in kentucky. I brought it home last sunday, Now here is the question there is no top at all not been cut in any way, there is bolt holes from door frame to door frame around the back with alot of wood peices for what seems to be a cloth top. From pictures ive found online, would this be a cabrolet? Please help i need to buy alot of parts and dont want to buy the wrong items
Like tree said, it's a Sport Coupe. Sort of an imitation cabriolet. The roof uses wood supports with a canvas top and fake landau irons. A lot of them get made into 'coupesters' by eliminating the upper door frame. Not the most desirable body, but hey have decent potential, and that one looks like a good start for a project.
Yup, 28/29 sport/business coupe. Not a 30/31 unfortunately. Looks pretty solid though. Welcome aboard... don't forget to introduce yourself here though: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=18 Hate to see people get ripped up...
How can you tell the difference in years? im very new to there model a area of cars, thanks alot for the help so far
The cowl is the first big sign. It is set back... let me dig up some pictures for you... 28/29 sport coupe 30/31 See the sided of the cowl are inset and seperated on the 28/29. The 30/31 flows with the sides and is part of the A posts. There are differences in each year and depends on who manufactured the body for Henry, but that is a good place to start. Since you don't have running boards or fenders I couldn't tell you much beyond what's in the pictures. Check out the forums on some of the Model A sights like FordBarn.com or Ahooga.com. You will be able to better identify what you have. Since it's a 28/29 BTW... you might be able to find a roof for that from a 5W coupe. It should bolt right on. for that matter... it might BE a coupe with the roof just missing! You will have to do some research for that one though. Don't forget that intro brotha'! Looks like you have a good start!
the 28-29's have a post in front of the door that runs down, expands a little and stops, it steps in about an inch, and the cowl top and sides are attached to that, whereas the 30/31's the cowl top and sides looks like an extension off the body, it's all one piece front to back right to the hood.
I agree with those that say it's a 28-29 sport coupe. The 28-29 bodies had a narrower cowl than the 30-31, and front door post area that has what some of us call a stagecoach. The lower edge of the body and the area around the rear wheel well does not have a bead (raised rounded area) on the 28-29's. There are a few other small differences, a shorter grill shell, and two piece firewall that is bolted together. You can see the bolt together firewall in your picture, and the lack of the lower body bead. Look up carnut.com and click on index of pics and look at the differences between 28-29 and 30-31 bodies, if you want more pictures. I have a 29 coupe that was pieced together from parts of a sport coupe and a standard coupe. I like the 28-29 body mostly because most people have 30-31's. Red
There are a ton of Model A resource places out there. Mac's, Sacramento Vintage Ford, Mike's Early Ford, etc. Do a Google search for Early Ford Parts and order free catalogs. There are quite a few places that sell the patch panels and stuff you'll need including the wood for the top if you decide to do something a little different with a chopped top sport coupe. Might look pretty cool. Not sure I've seen one. Anyway, google images will give you a lot of info about the body differences. Now you just need to figure out if it's a 28 or 29. I'm guess your firewall will tell you that. Scooter
Welcome to the HAMB and Model A Fords! You have a 28-29 Sport coupe. If you look on the drivers side of the firewall just above the gas tank to firewall flange you should be able to sand off the years of crud and see the date stamp when the body was built. Take your time, buy a few books get the free parts catalogs and get a plan as what you want to do with the project. Post some more photos, we like projects.
Welcome to the H.A.M.B. It looks like you have a nice project, good looking body. What are your plans for the car? Read the following: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44274 Like scootermcrad said, don't forget to leave an introduction.
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