160 A or B

Steam Engine Pete

Steam Engine Pete

Senior Member
I just purchased a slantwindshield Fordor sedan about a month ago. I was wondering how to identify whether it is a 160 A or B. It is a great running original car other than a poor paint job. I have tried to research it but find conflicting information.

I am really excited to own this car. It is a blast to drive. Put almost 400 miles on it in the last 3 weeks. I had a 31 Tudor sedan and an AA in the past but sold them to satisfy my steam engine and tractor addiction. I always regretted it and am thrilled to own this car.

Thanks,
Pete
 
You have a wonderful car. If it has originally-installed cowl lights, it's a Deluxe town sedan, a 160-B. The 160-A is the standard version. There are other details between the two also. The 160-C was the two window, or "blind back" sedan. Both Murray and Briggs made bodies for them. The later (May? '31) S/W's had the indented firewall.
 
Thanks for replying. It does have original cowl lights, they have not been added on. I suspected it was a B but was not sure. It does have the indented firewall.

I just got done doing some mechanical and electrical work on a 28 Tudor Sedan for a guy and that is what got me going on cars again. I also have a 25 TT truck, 31 Chev truck, 29 International six speed special and a 1929 International six speed special fire truck. I enjoy driving them around but a car is much nicer to drive.

Thanks,
Pete
 
If the dome lamp is just over the front seat back and it is round , it's a Standard Fordor,160-A. If the dome lamp is oval and over the rear window it is a Town Sedan 160-B. The Standard Fordor didnot have rear arm rests,The Town Sedan DID have them.
Bruce Davis 160abc@nccn.net For any other questions. The Deluxe Fordor is a blindback..no quarter windows.
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This post thread has helped me understand that I too have a 1931 160-B Town Sedan. I bought the car about three weeks ago and am currently replacing the brake linings and roller tracks (knew this when I bought it). The previous owner set it up as a touring car and it runs and drives great. Can't wait to finish the brakes (waiting for new cast iron drums to arrive) and get back on the road. I find the manifold heater works well so cold weather driving won't be uncomfortable. Congrats on getting your car!
 
It definitely is a 160B Town Sedan. Cowl lights, dome lamp above rear window(I am missing the lamp and the switch) and it does have rear arm rests.

Thanks for the information.

Pete
 
Thought I would post a picture of my new "A" on a beautiful, warm, sunny December day in ND.

IMAG0632.jpg


The weather is so nice the wife and I will have to go for another drive today.

Pete
 
the 160B also has the widows peak lower window garnish and it would have been wood grained along with the dash. The 160A has maroon dash and garnish, and the lower window garnish is straight, without a widows peak. I like the patina on your car. Slants are great cars, no frame wood so they stay straight, more leg room, lower steering column for more comfortable seasting. I hope it brings you as much joy as my 160A has brought me.
 
Pat, thanks. You just described the interior of my car.

I do have a question for everyone that may display my A ignorance. I have single bulb headlamps and cowl lights. How many positions should my light switch have? 2 or 3? I just fixed another A that obviously had a 3 position switch but mine only seems to have 2. I have brights and dims but no park light circuit. I am confused and maybe missing something obvious and would appreciate any information I can get.

Thanks,
Pete
 
Your light switch should have 4 position, OFF, HIGH, LOW, and PARKING LAMPS.

If you truely have a 1928-early 1929 switch for the fluted headlights, you are lucky because they are much harder to find and worth more money.
 
I had a 31 slant window Town Sedan that did not have an indented firewall. It was Briggs built. My Murray bodied Town Sedan does have the indent.
 
Tom,
I do only have 3 positions. Off, one to the left and one to the right of off.
What all needs to be changed to get the 4 position switch?

Thanks,
Pete
 
Steam Engine Pete said:
Tom,
I do only have 3 positions. Off, one to the left and one to the right of off.
What all needs to be changed to get the 4 position switch?

Thanks,
Pete
Click to expand...

HeadlightSwitch.jpg


Flutedswitch-1.jpg


The top picture shows parts used with the 4 position switch, which is used with Twolite headlights (high and low beam plus parking lamps). I show two covers because the first style had the shallow cover. Later switches had the deeper cover. Check the J/S for the date change. The contact plate using 9 brass contacts is the most common one to be found.

The parts shown in the bottom picture are used with the fluted headlights, which only came with single bulb headlighs and parking lamps, and have 3 positions, OFF, HEADLAMPS, and PARKING LAMPS.

Pete, you'll need the correct contact plate and the correct switch body.
 
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tmiller6 said:
I had a 31 slant window Town Sedan that did not have an indented firewall. It was Briggs built. My Murray bodied Town Sedan does have the indent.
Click to expand...

Our mid 31 Town Sedan 160B is Murray bodied car that does not have the indented firewall. It also has the roll down rear quarter windows with scrolled window mouldings.
 
Mother-in-laws birthday today and had to go out to eat with the in-laws. I was not too thrilled about it since it was supposed to be 50 degrees outside today. Too nice to be inside. My wife suggested we take the A. Made a 100 mile round trip to have a meal and then made a 40 mile side trip to visit some other friends. Drove 45-50 mph the whole time and no trouble. Even had to open the windshield a little bit to offset the manifold heater output. Wouldn't normally expect to do that on December 18 in ND.

Love my mother-in-law but this is the first time in 22 years that I thoroughly enjoyed her birthday. Thanks to my wife's suggestion and our Model A.

Pete
 
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