special vs standard coupe

[gridleak]

How do I tell the difference. What do I have? Pictured is my 29.

 

[silversink]

If the top material comes all the way down to the belt line in the back it's a special, if not its a standard

 

[racer32]

Does that apply to 30-31 as well?

 

[Purdy Swoft]

No, Ford didn't make the special coupe in 30-31

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Also, the sun visor should be covered with roof material.

 

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Also, the sun visor should be covered with roof material.

HMM! My June '29, 45-B, so called, "Standard" coupe has a vinyl covered visor, is thet "WRONG"?
Someone did an excellent job covering it & if you think I'm gonna' RIP it off, YOU'RE NUTS!!!!
I knew a guy that engaged the help of an OLD TIME vinyl top craftsman & covered his "STANDARD" coupe top to pass off well for a "SPECIAL" top. YES, he also used the "SPECIAL" belt rail! Bill W.

 

[29er]

"Henrietta", my '29 Special cou-pee, is topped with "long grain cobra" roof material. Cartouche also sells "short grain cobra" and "colonial".

Does anyone know what Henry originally used to cover the "Specials"? I'm not familiar with the judging standards regarding this point. What's acceptable?

Mike

 

[gridleak]

Is the fact that the top covering doesn't go down all way on the standard the only difference?
Seems like a puny reason for designating a different model.

 

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Is the fact that the top covering doesn't go down all way on the standard the only difference?
Seems like a puny reason for designating a different model.

No, Gridleak, the back of the roof on a special has almost all wood construction!! I've never seen one with the roof covering off. Lots of folks are skeptical about buying one, as maybe all the wood is ROTTEN! A special can be converted to a "standard" by grafting on the WHOLE roof from a "standard", same goes for converting a sport coupe to a "standard" Bill W.

 

[Gary/IA]

As others have stated, the Special coupe will have the top material down to the belt rail as noted in this picture. I like your color combination.

 

[Marco Tahtaras]

It looks like a little clarification is in order here.

1. The answers were geared toward the simple question of "how to tell" the difference between the 45-A Coupe and 49-A Special Coupe. It's worth noting that they weren't made simultaneously but instead the Special Coupe replaced the Coupe from approximately July 1928 through June '29 (dates subject to memory accuracy ), at which time the 45-A Coupe was brought back.

2. I believe Tom's comment regarding the covered visor was simply a reaction to gridleak's pic. The visor was covered on all Coupe models, Tudors, and Closed Cabs in '28-29.

3. The 49-A special Coupe was NOT simply a Coupe with a "landau top" stuck over it as was commonly done in the 1970's. It had a little more wood with simpler steel panels to fill the gaps between the wood. Additionally there is nail-on belt moulding at the base of the roof back covering which wrapped around to the top of the door belt moulding. This had a separate snap on cover hiding the nails which made the moulding appear solid. This two part moulding was shared with the 50-A Sport Coupe and 54-A Business Coupe.

4. It's also worth mentioning that from the belt line down, the rear quarters and other structures are fully compatible/shared with ALL '28-29 Coupe models.

 

[Barney]

Hi,
What is truly original? Short or long grain? Mine has long grain.
And the Visor is covered with the same material, is that right? My Visor is only painted in black.
Greetings from Switzerland
Barney

 

[Fred]

They also have tack strips around both rear windows & one over the top, Which is very hard to find in any condition.. It also has No painted rear widow frame as the standard Coupes did..