Henry Ford's Model A Coupe

LukeDahlinger

LukeDahlinger

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Does anyone have good detail photos of Henry Ford's '29 Special Coupe?

The only photos I have are from an old issue of Model A News from 1962 and a couple of 3/4 shots from 2008. None are particularly detailed.

Since Ford's Fairlane estate is in the process of undergoing restoration, I doubt I'll be able to see it in September when I'm up that way for the Old Car Festival at Greenfield Village, much less be able to get behind the ropes as it's likely back in hiding storage at Henry Ford Museum.
 
Luke, can't help you with pictures but I heard it was all black and had cowl vents installed. Can't remember if it was a special or a standard coupe. I also hope someone can post some pictures.
 
Yep, solid black with red pinstripe, cowl vents, finned brake drums, interior sun visors, green mohair upholstery, a bottle holder for his favored Poland Water and probably a few other things I'm missing.
 
OK This is a first. I'm aware of Edsel's '30 dual cowl phaeton (mini Bentley) but I've NEVER seen an image of the coupe. Share, please?
 
Thanks for the links, Luke.

I'm unclear from the photos and links whether Henry's personal Model A Coupe was a
Standard Coupe (45 A ) or a Special Coupe (49 A ) ? Apparently the museum people aren't as detail-oriented as us Model A folk...:rolleyes:

Was it a special "Coupe", or a special "Special Coupe" :confused:

Either way, it seems to have received "special" treatment, in terms of the cowl vents, interior sun visors, and water bottle holder...

Can anyone get in there and sneak a peak at the date stamping on the gas tank, or take a picture of the back of the coupe through the garage window? ;)

Here's another link:

http://www.henryfordestate.org/index.html
 
I remember going to the Ford museum back in the late 70s. I was disapointed to see that almost all the cars were either modified or poor restorations. That old story about Ford saving one new car from every year was not true.
 
Glenn I don't doubt the amateur restoration part one bit. I recall reading in a 1973 issue of Model A News about Thomas Edison's Model A getting restored by the local Model A club, that may have been the case with Henry Ford's Special Coupe. The paint on the Coupe looks way too shiny to be original. Especially if you consider Ford drove that car from 1929-1942 over fields, down dirt roads etc.

Frank, Ford's Coupe is indeed a 49-A, I've have one hard copy photo showing the rear and it does have the vinyl roof carried down to the belt line.
 
"Frank, Ford's Coupe is indeed a 49-A, I've have one hard copy photo showing the rear and it does have the vinyl roof carried down to the belt line."

Very Cool indeed !
 
Photo of Henry Ford's Coupe

Here is a photo of Henry Ford's Coupe. Unfortunatly, on the back of the photo, there is no further information about this car.

HenryFordsCoupe.jpg


Was # A2659 (referenced in the text at the bottom of this photo) the engine number of his car maybe?

Fordially,
Brad in Germany
 
Re: Photo of Henry Ford's Coupe

It looks like there are possibly pull down shades for the quarter windows!

Bob-A
 
1. Brad, you have some amazing photos. Thanks for sharing them.

2. I find it interesting that Henry's coupe was pimped and therefore, in regards to judging, would be a better fit in the touring class and would get dinged if entered in the fine point class.

3. Interesting that he wanted the added comfort of cowl vents, quarter window shades, etc. on his car yet did not offer them as an option or even as standard equipment.

4. Since the horn on the photo is a later one, when were the other "options" added?

5. What "goodies" are under the hood?
 
I wonder if the "extra" goodies (cowl vents, window shades, interior visors, etc.) were appropriated from other Model A body types, such as from a '28-'29 sedan ?

As for the later horn (********?), apparently Henry's previous coupe, a 1920 T, recieved numerous up-grades through its service life, I wouldn't be surprised if the Special Coupe received similar tweaking.

Brad's photo appears to be a period "studio" photo when the car was new.

Looks like the car was wearing Firestone tires...

As for the license mounting, I think I read somewhere that '28-'29s mounted the clips / plate with the bolts above the bar ? ( This is how I have the plate on my car, and I think it looks fine...)
 
JS 18-2 "Ribbed clips that hung the plate below the bar were used from the beginning of production until May 1929. Thereafter, redesigned license clips suspended the license plate from above the bar."

Reference to the new license plate clip is also made on pg 351 of the Model A Service Bulletins book by Post.
 
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