When I started in the old car hobby and then the business, the most desireable rear Model A rear spring was the A-5560-C low crown 7-leaf spring used under 28-31 Roadsters. Originals with original clamps have AC stamped in one of the clamps. An easy $75-100 any time you found one on a junk chassis or rearend or in a pile at a swap meet, and no end of customers. Now nobody even knows what I'm talking about. Some other Model A spring stuff: Tudor rear springs differ from all other because they do not have the reverse arch in the main leaf from the top crown to the spring eye. It is a straight line. These are 10-leaf springs with AA stamped into the original clamp. 8-Leaf springs with AB stamped into the spring clamp are found on Phaetons, Coupes, Sport COupe, Cabriolets and Victorias. 10-leaf springs with AD stamped clamp are found under Town, Sedans, Fordors of all styles and Sedan Deliveries. 10-leaf springs with AE stamped clamp are found under Panel Deliveries, Pickups(open and closed) and Station Wagons. The only difference between the AD and AE springs is the #2 leaf which is .260-.270 thick on the AD spring and .300-.310 on the AE.
Very good to know...I am going to be springin' the '30 roadster pretty soon. Does that mean the roadsters sat a tad lower than the coupes? What kind of experience do you have with after market and/or new repro ones...say from Speedway or Sac. Vintage Ford?
The question is simple, what spring are they selling, do they show a specific application or just "Model A rear spring"?
www.a-spring.com is the only outfit I know of reproducing the roadster spring. Supposedly it's pretty close to original.
great spring info. i thought something looked different about my tudor spring. comparitively to a fordor/ and coupe
Great Post: Had no idea as to all the details! I ordered a Model A spring for my 34 chassis ( quick change rear ) - from Posies. I received it last week -- opened up the box today. It is an 8 leaf spring, with a "Hollywood Roll and Taper" style -- with hidden poly buttons between the springs. I had to special order it as I wanted it to match my front spring. Posies makes both a narrow and a wide Model A rear spring. I have no idea as to if they have different options for number of leafs. I will say, that they have been very professional on the phone, know what they're talking about and have great service. It is nice to order a custom part, be quoted a delivery timeframe and have the part arrive as promised ( without a call to chase them down ). Posies has treated me very well -- woudl highly recommend them to anybody who is looking for a "new" spring for their rod. Dale
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