'28 and '29 Ford Differences?

S

sandmountainslim

Member
What are the differences in a '28 and '29 Model A?

As I understand it the '28 had a red steering wheel and the '29 had black and the '29 roadster had outside door handles but the RPU remained identical both years.

Which was the higher production model between the two early A's?

Thanks for any info.
Wp
 
only early 28s had the red steering wheels, later ones did not. Early ones had a different parking brake as well, opposite side I believe.
 
on early 2door sedan rear body panels are bolted later are welded early e brake is on left next to door post taillight mounts on back body sill if you look on the lower left of the gas tank under the hood you will find date it was assembled on most 28/29 an on and on and on
 
I'd still like someone to explain the EARLY cowl on the 28 vs 29. The Bonneville racers clain the early 28 had a better areo feature, I'd like to see a photo of the differance.
 
The hood lip for the cowl on early cars was alot less, also the rivit flange on the firewall is reversed. Rod
 
lesismore said:
only early 28s had the red steering wheels, later ones did not. Early ones had a different parking brake as well, opposite side I believe.
Click to expand...

My 9-27-28 Phaeton still has the original red steering wheel, and every time I get in the car after a humid night I'm reminded it's an original wheel by the red all over my hands and clothing. :)

All 28's had fluted headlights plus the first couple months of 29.

As Don mentioned, the J/S is a great book to own as it's packed full of information, much of which is hard to find anywhere else.
 
Hey guys, my 28 sedan has a black steering wheel, someone on here pointed out to me that ALL 28s had red ones, is mine incorrect, or is he mistaken, I was told early 28s had the red ones, and later ones from that year went to black.
 
One thing Henry did was to use up all his stock regardless of the model year, that's why so many mid year differences on his cars. Today the manufacturers take any leftovers from the previous model year and make them spares to be used on the correct model year. This is what I have been told. If I am wrong, I'm sure you guys will straighten me out.

Jack
 
sandmountainslim said:
'28 and '29 Ford's

Which was the higher production model between the two early A's?

Thanks for any info.
Wp
Click to expand...

The information I have list the total production for 1928 as 713,578 units

the total production for 1929 shows 1,715,100,,a little over 1 million more 29's were produced. HRP
 
I have a December '27 Tudor that had a '29 drive train installed somewhere in its history. All of the original AR brackets, mounting holes, etc. are still under the chassis, and every body detail is pure early '28. I haven't lifted the body yet to check the frame number, but I met one of the previous owners who told me it's somewhere in the 2000's.

One of the tells between '28 and '29 is the shape of the front fenders, but you almost need a '28 and a '29 sitting side by side to spot difference. (I did.) The inner front fender skirt on a '28 is concave as it meets the hood shelf. On a '29 the skirt is convex in the same place. The illustration in Judging Standards doesn't really show the difference.

- Bruce
 
One tidbit I found on ebay was interesting.

Said an early crank handle has the crank locating lugs at 90 degrees to the handle.

It was changed to being in line with handle, to stop it digging into floor when stored (this sounds debatable) , AND to stop it falling out of hole, unless it was turned at 90 degrees to pull out, (sounds feasible).
 
I have a Jan. '28 roadster. At least with these and all '28 open cars, they did not have outside door handles and the skins were not punched for it.

The latches are different due to this as well. I beleive the side curtain irons maybe different for a '28 as well, but don't quote me on this.

Early '28 (AR's) did have the parking brake on the left and the subrail will have an oblonged hole stamped into for this purpose.

Someone said the "eyebrow" on the front fenders are different on a '28 vs. '29 but I couldn't see it.
 
Tim, do your doors have a dovetail in addition to the latch? Early open cars had no dovetail and the latch was different. Bruce, can you post a photo of your body? I'm particularly interested in the body rivet at the bottom of the the coupe piller. Tim, the reference is not to an eyebrow at the front of the fender as in early '30 but to the with of the fender apron.
 
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