AA Truck vs pickup

M

mleder

Senior Member
Always see many roadster pick up trucks either in old photos or now in our hobby. Was there a production issue that AA roadster versions were not made or if so very few? Just wondering.
 
Clue me in here...I know there are Open Cab body styles for pickups and trucks...but just what is a "roadster" pickup body style Mr. mleder????

Pluck
 
I'm sure you realize what he's referring to Steve. It's kinda like a400 vs 400a, vicky vs victoria, roadster pickup vs open cab.

If you're trying to instill the correct terminology, just come out and say it.
 
mleder said:
Always see many roadster pick up trucks either in old photos or now in our hobby. Was there a production issue that AA roadster versions were not made or if so very few? Just wondering.
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According to an excellent article in the July-August 1973 issue of "Ford Life" 60% of the open cabs went to the AA vehicles in 1930. They could not split the other years between A and AA. They reference "The Ford Model A As Henry Built It" but I have not researched this source.

Charlie Stephens
 
I know of a 30 AA open cab with a dump bed.The family says it has been on there since new.The top was taken off within a few weeks of new,it is hanging where it was hung the day it was taken off.If I say roadster pickup to somebody they all know what I am talking about. If I say,open cab,(I tried this) they look at me like I have two heads.Then the questions start.You mean a huckster? A ranch wagon? A C cab? Same thing with AR. I know the difference,but to the old guys here an early 28 is an AR and if you refer to it that way with them you will be fine.You can't correct an 85 year old man that has a bunch of parts and has been calling them AR's since the 40's or 50;s.An old family friend died a few weeks ago,he had A's all his life until the last 15 years or so.He had a bunch of parts for sale,and he pointed out to somebody that wanted to buy that some were AR.I tried to get the guy to the side and tell him to clam up,but he proceeded to tell old Charlie that there was really no such thing as an AR,it was early 28.He was very polite about it,but no 45 year old young punk was going to tell 85 year old Charlie AR didn't exist.When the guy got done and asked Charlie how much for the pile of parts he had picked out,Charlie stared at him for a minute and said,Go away.Charlie walked in the house and cranked Jerry Springer up so loud the windows rattled.
 
I'm curious why I always see people referring to how "Henry built the A" while Estel was running the company at the time?
 
I don't think Edsel got to run anything.Read the book,Ford,The Men and the Machines.That book was written by a Brit,and seems to be written from facts he researched.It does not seem to be written from any biased point of view.Very interesting reading,and details Edsels treatment from the time he was a child.The book explains how Edsel was given a title but no power.It appeared that old Henry was a tyrant,and Edsel was a constant target.Many books explain how Henry hounded Edsel into his grave.
 
I think that with the hard life most AA lived, and with the desirablility of an open pickup, most open cabs on AAs were either trashed or swapped onto a closed pickup chasses by the mid 60s.
 
When I talk with someone and they point out the original name used in parts lists, I fully appreciate it. I don't find that inappropriate at all. The next time I need to reference the part, I try to remember the name used in the parts list.

FYI - I have an A spare wheel carrier with an AR part number. This part is not like the original production part. It is an improved part which was developed to be sold for service. So, some AR parts exist and are not assembly line parts. This is likely true for parts in today's world.
 
First I would like to apologize to Mr. mleder for being rude in answering his post the way I did...could of been more understanding of the question and could of stated my responce in a quite different question/answer to him. Please accept my apology.

Sometimes it takes things like this to open anyones eyes about anything in general.

In some eyes, a 400A will always be an A400; a Model A will always be an A Model or even an A Bone; a Sport Coupe will be a Sports Coupe; and a Open Cab (pickup/truck) body will always be a roadster (pickup/truck) body; very early/early 1928's will alwyas be an AR; and so on down the line so one might as well accept it because it is not going to go away and it is not going to change peoples minds once they get into a frame of mind to refering to something in the non-political correctness way no matter how one chooses to educate one with the correct way.

So from here on out, anytime one uses the incorrect word, and if I decide to answer it, it will not be in a rude or offensive statement as above but in a more educational statement and answer.

Thanks to all who responded to this post...it opened my eyes and I hope it may have opened others as well.

Pluck
 
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MrTube said:
I'm curious why I always see people referring to how "Henry built the A" while Estel was running the company at the time?
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I assume that my post prompted your comment. I firmly believe that Henry was running the company at that time in spite of whose name appeared on the public organization charts. Even if you are correct, would you suggest that I arbitrarily change the title of the book that I referenced to "The Ford Model A As Estel Built It"? Changing the title would make it extremely difficult to locate the book. One final question. Who is Estel, did Edsel have a mistress that we don't know about?

Charlie Stephens
 
Charlie Stephens said:
I assume that my post prompted your comment. I firmly believe that Henry was running the company at that time in spite of whose name appeared on the public organization charts. Even if you are correct, would you suggest that I arbitrarily change the title of the book that I referenced to "The Ford Model A As Estel Built It"? Changing the title would make it extremely difficult to locate the book. One final question. Who is Estel, did Edsel have a mistress that we don't know about?

Charlie Stephens
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Charlie,
Perhaps I worded my question wrong. I was not sure what the story was and simply wanted more information.

Estel was Edsel's Sister :mad:.

With my luck "The Ford Model A As Estel Built It" is going to be an inside joke for years to come. ;)
 
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The 400A was continued into 32 as a 400B. It is very rare but a few were made with the new V8. I have seen it described as "V8400" or "400-18". What is the proper designation?
 
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