1930 Australian Sports Phaeton
- Thread starter Incognito-A
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mercman from oz
Well-known member
mercman from oz
Well-known member
Australian 1930 Ford Model A Phaeton, as illustrated in the original Sales Brochure.
Incognito-A
Senior Member
Australian 1930 Ford Model A Phaeton, as illustrated in the original Sales Brochure.
Yes, that is the “New” Phaeton, the new for 1930 Standard Phaeton also known as the “Improved A.” The Sports Phaeton was a higher trim level and came with cowl lights, side mount, luggage rack, double seat backrests, foot rests in rear, and special colors. Look carefully at the picture in my original post and read the text.
Information from the Canadian Model A Ford Foundation.
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Synchro909
Well-known member
I a word, no. I know of at least one other in this city, let alone elsewhere in the country
I have read threads about the rarest Model A body styles and most of you guys seem to think the town sedan with the open top over the driver is it. It was only 2 days ago, I was talking with a guy who must have the rarest. It is a car that, according to the records, does not exist. Model As assembled in Australia had a number of unique differences - components designed and made here. I have posted here before that almost no cars arrived here in 1931. The slant windscreen sedan was a model never sold or assembled here but this guy has one with all of the Australian differences. It has never been restored so I believe it to be "the real thing". The theory on how it came to be is that an American manager at the time fancied something exclusive and the SW was it so he had one sent out and assembled here with the local differences. Amazingly, it survives - and in original trim.
I could prattle on for ages about such things but I'd better stop.
Incognito-A
Senior Member
Please prove me wrong, I would love to connect with anyone that also owns a real Sports Phaeton! I have posted around all the forums I can think of and no luck yet.
updraught
Well-known member
Could be one here.
https://www.theuntouchables.net.au/1930modela.html
To get the lingo right, it is an "improved A Model tourer".
As the advert says, we were part of the British Empire, before being dumped for the EU, and "tourer" was on the British adverts at the time.
https://www.theuntouchables.net.au/1930modela.html
To get the lingo right, it is an "improved A Model tourer".
As the advert says, we were part of the British Empire, before being dumped for the EU, and "tourer" was on the British adverts at the time.
Incognito-A
Senior Member
I think technically all the 1930 models were called “Improved” to differentiate from the 28-29 designs which were still being imported into1930.
Being a step above the Standard Phaeton, the “Sports Phaeton” featured as standard equipment: cowl lights, side mount, luggage rack, two tone double cushion upholstery, robe rail, foot rests, and unique colors.
The car you linked to might very well be a Sports Phaeton, it has most of the features visible. Unfortunately the key thing I’m interested in, being the seats and upholstery, has been replaced.
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Synchro909
Well-known member
Is a 2 door Phaeton a sports Phaeton? I notice that the pictures shoe 4 door cars.
Incognito-A
Senior Member
Two door Phaeton is known as a Deluxe Phaeton. Totally different model.
updraught
Well-known member
>>I think technically all the 1930 models were called “Improved” to differentiate from the 28-29 designs which were still being imported into1930.
That's correct. That's what the older generation here called the 1930 model. Not sure where that came from. They also used the term "A Model" rather than "Model A".
A sport tourer is a tarted up standard tourer, due to the low numbers and local content. Not sure how it differs from the Canadian "sport"?
That's correct. That's what the older generation here called the 1930 model. Not sure where that came from. They also used the term "A Model" rather than "Model A".
A sport tourer is a tarted up standard tourer, due to the low numbers and local content. Not sure how it differs from the Canadian "sport"?
rackops
Senior Member
Most likely, no.
As I like to say when I rain on the parades of AACA members when they make claims of "there are only two in existence" (or whatever)...it's impossible to say because no one has explored every inch of every garage, barn, paddock, warehouse, storage unit, shipping container, micro museum, etc., etc., to create an inventory of what exists and what doesn't. Being part of several groups that scour Google Earth photos for random stuff...we're finding things all the time that weren't supposed to exist...and particularly not where things should have existed.
Finally, keep in mind that the vast majority of the Australian/New Zealand collector community isn't on social media. Having spent the last few years hanging out with the bunch on the Aussie A forum of Facebook, you'd think that every Model A in Australia has been rodded. Then, seeing photos of the latest national meet, there are a LOT of non-rodded, and even fine-point, Model As in Australia...but their owners aren't on (or aren't active) on social media for whatever reason.
Hope that helps!!
Dave
Incognito-A
Senior Member
Most likely, no.
As I like to say when I rain on the parades of AACA members when they make claims of "there are only two in existence" (or whatever)...it's impossible to say because no one has explored every inch of every garage, barn, paddock, warehouse, storage unit, shipping container, micro museum, etc., etc., to create an inventory of what exists and what doesn't. Being part of several groups that scour Google Earth photos for random stuff...we're finding things all the time that weren't supposed to exist...and particularly not where things should have existed.
Finally, keep in mind that the vast majority of the Australian/New Zealand collector community isn't on social media. Having spent the last few years hanging out with the bunch on the Aussie A forum of Facebook, you'd think that every Model A in Australia has been rodded. Then, seeing photos of the latest national meet, there are a LOT of non-rodded, and even fine-point, Model As in Australia...but their owners aren't on (or aren't active) on social media for whatever reason.
Hope that helps!!
Dave
I’m certainly hoping you are right! I don’t want to have the only one left. I need the seat cushions, robe rail, and footrests…or at least some patterns to duplicate. You are spot on about the social media. I’ve scoured the net and only found a couple possible Sports Phaetons, none showing the original seats.
Looks like I’m going to have to join all the Australian clubs.
Synchro909
Well-known member
Or at least make contact with them and ask to place an advertisement in their newsletter - "Information Wanted"
Incognito-A
Senior Member
New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria require bank transfers with membership application…
Western Australia won’t accept any form of payment until a paper application has been approved…
South Australia has no membership information or application of any kind on their website…
Tasmania has no club that I can find…
Any suggestions on sending an EFT from the USA to Australia?
rackops
Senior Member
Those are easy through most banks (used to do it a lot in my previous life...). Might be easiest though to befriend an Australian who you can pay once and then they can help you out?
Also, here are a lot of photos of the last National Meet. Might be worth going through and seeing if you can find one of these cars?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2286256461593076/user/100007252952586
Incognito-A
Senior Member
Looks like I can do it through PayPal/Zoom. A couple of these clubs require a nomination from a current member.
Anyone a member of Queensland AU or Canterbury N.Z. chapters?
Anyone a member of Queensland AU or Canterbury N.Z. chapters?
Brad in Germany
Well-known member
Incognito-A
Senior Member
Here is the Sports Phaeton shown in an Australian Ford Model A brochure (sorry, there are not more details provided in the brochure):
Brad in Maryland (USA)
Nice illustration, appears to be a 28-29.