I brought home these two model A's today, one coupe and one sedan. Paid $400 bucks for both of them...going to build the coupe, the sedan is pretty beat, may keep all the good parts and junk the rest. Not a whole lot of sheet metal left on it. I know they are both '28-'29's but how can I tell to figure out which year it is?
Wow!!! Great score. Don't junk the sedan....it looks better than some I've started with!!! I'm sure someone would buy the body for $400 bucks and build it. There is a ton of good metal workers on here that could make that look new again. I think on some of the A's like on the model T there is a plate under the dash on the back of the firewall. I've found a few VIN plates but never been able to read any of them. Not sure if that helps. Other than that I have no clue how to tell the diference.
I wouldn't consider scrapping any of what you have at this point! Both look to be in pretty doable shape, better than some I have had a hand in saving. A couple of things to look for when pulling things apart are cast fender and running board braces, and a slot in the drivers side subframe for a parking brake. Both are indicators of early '28 construction. If that sedan has hinge pockets and a latch recess in the jambs, you might just have a real sedan delivery... Pretty damn rare without the side window filler panels. Just need to find an "A" pickup ('28 or 9) drivers door to complete.
After looking again at the coupe pictures, if that is on the original frame, it is a '28. Oh, and don't put the sedan top pieces on the coupe, they won't fit, At least not with out a lot of reshaping.
yeah, after looking at the sedan a little more theres a lot of usuable parts...it had crossed my mind to put the sedan roof on the coupe, hell it has all the original wood roof beams in it. chances are i will try to find some roof pieces above the doors so i can keep both cars complete. the sedan did have a door on the back, not sure if it was a homebuilt job or not, the wood has been notched for hinges and a latch on the passenger side wood but the cut in the metal is pretty crude looking. as for the mustang i'm sure someone could get that thing cheap but its also beat to hell. i will probably build it similar to my essex, maybe even a little more traditional. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=553903&highlight=my+29+essex
Serial number on the frame will tell you the year (and the month) if you can find them and read them.
Do you mean the sheetmetal is thin? Looking at the pictures I'd say there's more sheetmetal on the sedan.
'28's had the tail light bracket mounted to the bottom of the rear portion of the body (not on the fender) ...a picture would help here...fender pics don't really help as they could have been changed over the years...d32
thinking a bit...always a prob...a buddy has an early '29..and if I remember ...has the early brackets...FordBarn...if you're interested or serial number..
Sweet deal! Damn I would pay $400 just for the coupe body... Well maybe even $500... Well, you get the point - glad a HAMBER got it! RGG
killer score, there's nothing wrong with either of those bodies and the roof is already filled in the sedan, good cowl posts, lots of $$$ in parts there, your a bodyman, you can do it
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