Canadian vs US Car

[160B]

I read somewhere that the Canadian radiator badge is black rather than blue. The reason I ask is that I have a black badge on my roadster that I bought at a swap meat years ago.

RG & JS section for Canadian Model A’s Area 15 page F-8

From early 1928 through January 1929, the Canadian radiator shell emblem was extremely dark blue vitreous enamel that appeared to black in color. The edge and the script were nickel plated.

In January 1929 the vitreous enamel of the emblem was eliminated. This style continued until late 1930. A chrome finish was added in 1930.

With the introduction of the 1931 style radiator shell, a stamped stainless emblem was used. The recessed areas of the emblem were either plain or painted black. All 1931 Canadian radiator shells were a three-piece design with the upper and lower insert painted black.

 

[Mad Mac]

RG & JS Canadian Model A's page F-2 Area 1

Engine numbers for Canadian engines start with a "CA" series and then a three letter designation CAQ, CAW, CAR, CAT, CAY, CAU, CAI, CAO, CAP, CAS, and CAD.

So is mine a rare one? It is CAA

 

[160B]

notice that the serial numbers are the C plus the top row of the typewriter keyboard. also check my site for some more pictures

So is mine a rare one? It is CAA

Let see if we can get Jim Mason to chime in on this.

The RG & JS list the C plus the additional two letters and then show the production period for that designator. Note the JS & RG do not list the CAA.
ie

CAP series February 9, 1931 thru April 1, 1931
CAA not listed
CAS series April 1, 1931 thru June 2, 1931

 

[darrylkmc]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mad Mac View Post
So is mine a rare one? It is CAA

I have never heard of or seen CAA Canadian Engine numbers either.
Could you post a photo of the Engine Number?

Attached is a copy of the Canadian Engine Number Production from MAFCA Website with a couple of notes that I added in Red.

Darryl in Fairbanks

 

[Farrell In Vancouver]

Have you really got an engine out of a AA Truck?

 

[darrylkmc]

Have you really got an engine out of a AA Truck?

Farrell certainly has this correct, I had not considered the AA aspect.

Here on Ford Garage, Vince Falter specifically lists CAA as a serial number prefix:

http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/ABenginenumbers.htm

A CAA number would place production within the first 150,120 Model A's produced in Canada.

Darryl in Fairbanks

 

[Tudortomnz]

I know of an AA steel cab truck, CAA 1474, which is an early vehicle.
The Canadian '28 '29 trucks usually used different cabs, but this is the US cab & was a working truck in the Hororata area of the Sth Islnd.
Herman Smith, the late Ford Canada Archivist, also mentions CAA stampings in one of his articles, I think in Ford Life magazine.
I have never come across another CAA Canadian engine block here in NZ.

 

[Mad Mac]

I have never come across another CAA Canadian engine block here in NZ.

Here is the engine number of my Canadian made 1929 open-cab pickup. It may not be the original motor for this NZ truck.

 

[CarlG]

That looks like it may have been a restamp at some point in time. There isn't the star at each end, and the numbers/letters are not lined up like they should. Kinda looks like the botch job someone did on my diamond block engine!

 

[Bick in New Zealand]

The Canadian Service Bulletin States:

"Commencing with engine number CA10728 a stronger clutch spring, compression pressure 490 llbs was installed, and this engine was prefixed CAA. All truck engines will in future be fitted with this stronger clutch spring, and all truck engine numbers will be prefixed CAA. A special series of numbers for trucks will not be used."

 

[Mad Mac]

OK, so:
(I) What is the significance of my block having 4 letters (CAAQ)?
(ii) Why doesn't it have the stars or asterisks at each end?
(iii) Is it unusual to have crookedly positioned numbers like that?

The first letter (which must always have been a "C") has been over-stamped with another "C" so it must just have been shoddy workmanship.
Comment?
Mac

 

[darrylkmc]

OK, so:
(I) What is the significance of my block having 4 letters (CAAQ)?
CAQ, CAAQ Engines were produced after 8-31-1929 and before 11-4-1929 # 1 through # 10,000
As in the US the single A designates Model A, AA (In Canada CAA) designates a heavier Truck Clutch Engine. See Post #26 earlier for a link to Vince Falters Ford Garage for complete explaination
(ii) Why doesn't it have the stars or asterisks at each end?
Your Engine appears to have had the Boss for the original number ground off and restamped, otherwise it would have a cast, not smooth, finish, maybe a replacement engine. Apparently whoever stamped it didn't have the Star stamp or didn't bother to use it.
(iii) Is it unusual to have crookedly positioned numbers like that?
Restamps can have any number of variations


The first letter (which must always have been a "C") has been over-stamped with another "C" so it must just have been shoddy workmanship.
Comment?
Mac

At least it has a number.

I included your photo and a photo of my engine stamping for comparison, I rubbed soapstone onto mine to highlight the numbers.


Darryl in Fairbanks

 

[Mad Mac]

Thanks for that

 

[Tudortomnz]

Mac, a Factory stamped engine will always have a star at the front & end of the letters & number.
Not so usual to see a re stamp here in NZ, as a changed engine posed no problems in the old days for officialdom.

 

[30_Deuce]

My 29 has Robinson screws in the trim piece that goes across the body just under the windshield. ( I think there is a better name for this but it escapes me now ) I have been told that the car is a Canadian model as it came from far northern Maine. It does not have a date stamped on the gas tank under the hood on the drivers side like my friend's 29 roadster. I wonder, are there other clues to it being a Canadian car ? The engine is definitely US and it is a very late ( March 1937 ) stamping. Thanks for your thoughts on this. Bill

I was told by the previous owner of my 1930 Tudor that it was a Canadian car. Not until I found this thread did I think it actually was! My car has Robertson head screws in this panel, and in the door jambs as well.