Did the A always have shocks ?

wkuehnis

wkuehnis

Member
Hi,

I always drove T's.
Now I have my first A.
Question: Did they always have shocks ? (I couldn't find it out till now))
Is it driveable without shocks ?

My Fordor has very bad shocks, at the backend, it very soon knocks to the bottom of the shocks.



Thanks
Willi
 
Yes they all had them , often they are missing !!

They drive a lot better with them .Stipe make the best original type ,
but there are cheaper options some people use MGB or tube shocks

Looks a nice car you have
 
The first 200 Model A's did not have provisions for shock absorbers, all Model A's after that had shocks under license from Maurice Houdaille of France to Houde Engineering Corporation in Buffalo, New York.
 
AA's had front shocks but no rear shocks except for very special vehicles (ambulance, funeral coach, etc)
 
I've read that early on in model A production , Henry drove the model A across a rough field and decided that shocks were needed. The two early 1930 AA trucks that that I have owned had no shocks or the holes to mount them .
 
Drove our 30 CCPU without shocks until we restored it. Was OK but it was only in a small town with good streets and light traffic and we didn't haul much in it. Definitely better with the shocks.
 
Shocks are definitely a good idea and will add to your enjoyment, that being said, I've been driving my jalopy pickup without for ten years, (many highway miles and many country roads way too fast,) and I'm not dead yet. When you get around to them, rebuild them or get some new. Until then, unhook the malfunctioning ones and enjoy the (bumpy) ride.
 
In my humble opinion the most important things you need in good operating order on any Model A are.

Good brakes.

Rebuilt front end.

Good front and rear springs.

Good shocks at all four corners.

You might not care about killing yourself but there are other people out on the road with you.

There is a real reason Henry put those expensive shocks on a very inexpensive car. Enjoy.
 
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