1930 Deluxe 2dr Phaeton.

B

bob p

Well-known member
I just bought a 1930 2dr phaeton and have a question about the top bows. If you could call me or give me your number and I will call you. It would make it a lot easier. It is hard to explain in writing. 507 458 6778, Thanks, Bob.
 
John, who lives in CT has one for sale

give him a call 860 767 3072

car is listed on MAFCA
 
Are you truly speaking of the wooden bows or the top irons? I restore top irons but don't consider myself an expert on the bows. Jim (whose last name currently escapes me and is a furniture maker) used to make nice wooden bows if he still is around.... number was (773) 406-1123
I would try articulating here as many(like me) don't really like telephones!
Also, pics for reference to a question really help.
 
Besides the typical earmark feature changes between 1930 and 1931 Model A's, the 1931 Deluxe Phaeton added a side curtain snap approximately in the middle of each door's moulding because the 1930 side curtains had flapped in this area. The added snap stopped that. This shiny silver snap makes it easy to tell a 1931 from a 1930 DP in old photos if the side splash apron or radiator shell insert cannot be seen.
To illustrate, a local friend has a Ford dealership. A book about is family's car dealership history since the early last century has a photo of one of his relatives sitting in a Deluxe Phaeton, but only from the middle of the door up. I told him that was a 1931 Deluxe Phaeton. "Just HOW did you know that?", he asked. I pointed out the shiny side curtain snap beneath the driver's elbow hanging over the top of the door. He was impressed. Sometimes it's the little bits of knowledge and trivia like this that can make us look like geniuses, when we're really not :)
Marshall, early and late 1931 Deluxe Phaetons
 
Bob P -
By the way, join the Deluxe Phaeton special interest group and get as many back issues of the club's newsletter as you can. It's a very well-done newsletter that is chocked full of good information about this body style, including many articles on top irons and bows that you will find beneficial. You won't be disappointed!
Marshall
 
Bob P, give me a ring at 434 960 1927 or pm me your number. I am pretty sure I can answer your question.

And Marshall, the mid door snaps were added in February of 1931. There are a lot more eccentricities that give exact dating away...like the first three months were supplied with the standard black jack knifing trunk rack...then they were an option, then the deluxe trunk rack, which is different from the deluxe rack on the roadster, was issued. Other models of fords had the trunk rack installed by the dealer and the 180A trunk rack was preferred because it pivoted in its bracket about three inches up from the bottom...Did you know that the first months production of June 1930 had the oval speedometer...I've seen two of these that are not in the registry and now I own one. Anyway, you give me a call too...I have some funny things to tell you.
Don Swofford
 
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Thanks for the additional info, Don. Good stuff! I wasn't aware that the snaps weren't introduced until February, 1931. I guess now I'll have to modify my little speech to say that BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY, 1931, the third side curtain snap was added to each Deluxe Phaeton door. Those poor schmucks who bought a January, 1931 Deluxe Phaeton without that additional snap! They never knew what they were missing. :)
Marshall
 
Oddly enough, it appears, though I have not finished the research, that there were letters from dealers complaining about the flapping rubbing off paint and in come cases, the middle snap was added...now, here is another oddity and a rumor I am working on...both the 190A and the 180A had 1931 styled radiator shells with the panel at the top, and at that early date, painted black...we believe...researchers are still out on that one.
Back to the snaps...Bill Sturm who has restored a number (I heard as many as 13) Deluxe Phaetons, has loads of original but worn fabric from interiors believes that the middle snap did not have a fixed place. The snaps in the back had to have blocks added below the belt rains to allow the person installing the snaps to have something to buck against...
 
My early Victoria Coupe (#4554) was built in November, 1930, even though it's considered a 1931 model, as were ALL Victoria Coupes. And mine is early enough that it can be still be called a Victoria COUPE. Ford dropped the word "Coupe" from the name sometime in 1931, if I remember correctly. Mine has the upper insert in the radiator shell and the remnants of paint indicate it was black, although there is no way of telling what color the body was originally. I understand that all Victorias - except the little-photographed prototype - came from the factory with the so-called "Deluxe" radiator shell, which eventually became the "standard" shell for passenger cars in 1931 - but not right away in 1931. It's been a while since I immersed myself in Victoria research or restoration, so I hope I am quoting the facts correctly, albeit not exactly adhering to the poster's Deluxe Phaeton question. The two body styles, however, do share some commonalities, including all wood framing and low production numbers. The DP wins out there, though, by far.
Marshall
 
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