28/29 vs 30/31

corvette8n

corvette8n

Well-known member
In my quest for a model A, I am wondering which year would be better to own?, I am looking for a summer driver and am leaning towards a rumble seat coupe, but my spouse thinks a sedan would be a better choice, more grandkid friendly.
I can do mechanical work( my 8n requires 1 hour of maintenance for every 10 hours run) and have a fair amount of tools, jacks etc and a garage to work in. I would like to display at a few local shows but probably won't go for fine points judging.
So my question is which year "A" will I be able to get parts for more easily and is any year more reliable or have factory improvements that would make it better?.
 
Any Year is good. The very Early 1928 ARs have some parts that are specific to them but for the most part, if necessary you can use components from a later Model A to keep them going. Mechanical parts in general are available and there is lots of good information out there. I think it gets down to which year you like and what is available. Try to have someone with knowledge of Model As help you look over a car before you buy it. There may be a local Model A Club that can be a big help.

For small kids or if you are going on tours, a closed car is nice. A Rumble Seat is good for around town and parades.

Just my opinion,

Chris
 
Try them on for size first. At 6'2" and 210, I am a tight fit in most '29's other than the Briggs 155B and 165B sedans. Have a real problem getting my left foot from the accelerator to the brake unless I get the trans lever out of gear. My '30 Coupe fits the best. A '28 or '29 Open Cab pickup is almost impossible for me to drive, certainly not safely. If you are somewhat smaller, you will have the luxury to fit in and drive more of them than I can. Gar Williams
 
i like the looks of the 29, a fordor car would be more practical for a family, easier to to get the kids in and out of the car, a closed car is a must for year round driving, the cars that have had the streering wheel suport moved to the dash is also a must, moved there it wont crack the bottom of the fuel tank and leak fuel inside the cab, but any model a is cool, pick one you and your wife like
 
If you're tall like me a 28/29 coupe would be best in my opinion. I'm 6-2 plus and my head almost hits the inside top of the 30 but has plenty of clearance in my 29. If you're shorter than I a 30/31 coupe may be good because of slightly wider floor width. I love the 29 and parts are just as easy to get as the 30/31. The tudor would also be a good choice in either years.
 
corvette8n,Jeff/Illinois gave some excellent advice on the 30-31 tudors.They are a year around car.The grandkids are safely tucked away in the back giggling and laughing.In the winter you can install an aftermarket manifold heater and be nice and toasty.There is also aftermarket driver side seat adjusters that can be installed.I sure like mine.
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Jeff/Illinois said:
In answer to your body style question, I think I'd go for a nice '30-'31 Tudor. The 2010 Hemmings Motor News Model A calendar pictures a beautiful '31 Dlx. Tudor for the month of July. With a Tudor, there is less chance that one of your grandchildren will accidentally tumble out of a door and get hurt. Model A doors don't take a whole lot to pop one open sometimes (especially a Roadster), depends on body alignment to frame, etc.
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I AGREE!!!!

I would also suggest a '30-31 Tudor. You can easily move the front seats back for more leg room if necessary and the doors are big and easier to get into and out of. There are no rear doors for the Grand Kids to fall out of.

I am only 5'9 and wear 8 1/2 shoes and my '31 Roadster is not easy for me to get into and out of, especially with the top up. I guess we forget people were smaller in the "Old Days".

Chris
 
Here's my 2 cents-worth...

I like the appearance of the '28-'29 best; '30 next best, '31 last best ( don't so much care for the painted radiator shell inserts).

For a family hauler, a Tudor or Fordor, or Phaeton are probably best.

For Coupes, the rear window does not roll down on '28-'29, so Rumble-Seat riders will be totally isolated.

If you're leaning towards a '28-'29 for a driver, a '29 is a bit easier on bright-work, as Ford began using Chrome trim; '28s have nickel, and that requires frequent polishing, although it looks very nice when clean.

My '28 Special Coupe is a snug fit for me, at 6' 2" / 260#...

Aside from the peculiarities of the first few months of production, the so-called "AR" models (red steering wheel, hand brake against the left cowl kick panel, multi-disc clutch), they're all about equal in terms of runability/reliability, parts avail, and so-on.

Try to find one that's "all there" and in good repair... avoid a "bitsa" or a jalopy held-together with baling-wire & duct-tape...

I've put about three-thousand miles on my mechanically un-restored '28 (82,000 miles) since January, and have had a lot of fun with it !

Good luck !
 
For a practical vehicle, all weathers, ease of entry & safe for kids, must be a '28-'29 Tudor.!
Thet look more 'antiquey' with some classic Lincoln styling over the '30-'31's.
But then, I'm biased.
 
My granddaughter loves riding around in the rumble seat, with one of her friends. Most of the time, it's just my wife and I, in the coupe.
 
I think a 30-31 can be restored for less money than a 28-29 due to the cost in plating. Pick a body style that you like, and have fun with it.
 
Tudor; great back seat area, lockable, few if any blind spots, dry in the rain, warm when it is cool and with the windshield open an inch or so plenty of cool air blows in at you leg area. Bias, yes; I run a 28 Tudor.
 
Hi
Lots of good info here! But if you are new to model a'ing. Join a club in your area. They will be more than
happy to help you with a purchase. Most clubs have a local news letter with for sale items . Find a car through them. Buy one already restored, like a older resto. Lots cheaper than buying one on the cheap needing lots of work and money.You will have lots of old retired guys wanting to come over and help you work on your car , also to help you drink up your beer
ha,ha ,ha Good luck in your search!!!
 
I like the smooth cowl line and the larger radiator shells of the 30-31. It looks more "modern" in my opinion.

Interior space in Coupes is a little bigger in the later years. The body style with the most room is the 31 Slant Window 4 door, which I think is becoming the choice body style for the people that do a lot of touring.

I have a cabriolet and it's great having the option of putting the top down, or having a closed "coupe" style car with roll up windows also. The roadsters and phaetons still feel like open cars even with the roof up and snap on windows.
 
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