Side Mount Spares vs. Rear Mount

I really do not like the side mounts at all. But then with my body style, I don't have much choice. I much prefer the rear mounts on all the other body styles. It's not just the wrestling the tire out of the fender well, it's just that they are always in the way of working under the hood. Dual side mounts are just double the trouble.
 
I'd rather change the tire on my coupe than fight Dad's spare out of the well on his truck. But then again..........I would rather fight his spare out than score a hernia from replacing a tire on my AA.
 
I like my double side mounts, makes my little Model A seem like a big Lincoln!, yes they are difficult to get out and in the way of working on the engine, but any car can have the spare bolted on the rear end.
 
If I was going to be practical, I probably would have a rear mount spare like my modern Jeep, and a trunk instead of a rumble seat.

But then again, I don't buy old cars to be practical.

I love the uniqueness of the era and frankly I don't have much trouble removing the side mount, even with a metal tire cover.

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and Jeff, despite you asking Model A greats, I thought I would respond anyway. :D
 
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I had no choice on my 180A , Factory left side fender mount.But i did have a choice on the right side .Car came with both sides and i canned the right side and put a plain fender on. If it was up to me [rear] .Had a standard roadster with a trunk . Liked the trunk but not the spare in back. Always had to work over it or to the side. Dual side mounts i don't like the look [sorry] but that's me. Only on much larger cars...
 
My 29 sport coupe has the rear mount, and I like it. Can't imagine working around the side mounts when trying to quick check something on the left side of the engine.
 
I've got both sides, came to me that way, too expensive to change. The look grows on you. Haven't had a problem removing, and they're firestones with not too much air in them. Flats are what AAA is for. JMO
Paul in CT
 
I have a side mount. I can lift the wheel out easily with one hand.
I can't imagine being without a trunk. It will hold 4 cases of beer and 3 bags of ice.
If your car is put together right, there is no reason to get under the hood.
My spare doesn't interfere with anything under the hood anyway.
 
For as much as we use our spare tires, either one. My coupe is a standard model with trunk not a rumble, and rear spare. the trunk is handy and if necessary the rear spare is too.
 
My 29 Sport Coupe has the rear mounted spare. I personally like the look of side mounts but I'm not about to cut holes in one, or two, really nice original Ford fenders. Now if I were to come across an original welled fender, and the price wasn't through the roof (not likely), I'd be tempted to give her a try.
 
You left out the third option, dual sidemounts with a rear spare!

Yes, I have seen that. At the World Meet a guy showed up to get his car fine point judged and was asking what we thought. The car had just about every accessory you could put on an A. The honeycomb radiator was neat too.

My cabriolet has a rear spare and black wall tires- so factory like.
 
Dad's '31 Roadster has dual sidemounts because he like the look, I think a rear mounted spair looks better. Bob
 
I have a rear mount and a side mount, and I think I would spend half the day removing half my trunk rack to remove the rear spare, so its only there for two flat emergencies, which, fortunately, I haven't experienced.
 
The sidemount is more attractive, in my opinion and the rear mount more practical.
I am not partial to either and like them just the same.

FLW said form should follow function- he was wrong.... his homes didn't function all that well!
 
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