Model A "Term"

kbinde2

Senior Member
I've seen it written, heard it in conversation... what does "AR" mean in the Model A world.? Does it cover a particular Month/Year manufacture period.?
Thanks.
kb
 
I've seen it written, heard it in conversation... what does "AR" mean in the Model A world.? Does it cover a particular Month/Year manufacture period.?
Thanks.
kb

Hey kb,
Not an expert, but I've come to think of the earliest '28 model A (parts) when I hear that term.
 
AR I thought AR referred to weapons not Model As

Assault Rifle, early 1928.:D

"A" stands for the first design of the part, and "R" means it must be kept for repairs, as the next design of the part that replaces it can't be fitted correctly to the earlier models.

Early wheels are a common part that many use to determine what they refer to as an "AR" model. The early brake system without the separate parking brake used wheels with a narrow hub, and these can't be properly exchanged with the wider hub later wheels.

The part could also be a "BR", "CR", "DR", etc. depending on how many design changes were made to the part.
 
I've seen it written, heard it in conversation... what does "AR" mean in the Model A world.? Does it cover a particular Month/Year manufacture period.?
Thanks.
kb

It is a usually used term for the earliest '27-'28 model A's. Oct '27 until June '28 are the dates given in the Restoration Guidelines.

There is a whole section in the Guidelines covering the time period.

As mentioned, the term "AR" really has to do with a part designation and not a car designation. There is an effort going on to change people vocabulary from "AR" too early '28 or "E28" when talking about these cars.
 
Assault Rifle, early 1928.:D

"A" stands for the first design of the part, and "R" means it must be kept for repairs, as the next design of the part that replaces it can't be fitted correctly to the earlier models.

Early wheels are a common part that many use to determine what they refer to as an "AR" model. The early brake system without the separate parking brake used wheels with a narrow hub, and these can't be properly exchanged with the wider hub later wheels.

The part could also be a "BR", "CR", "DR", etc. depending on how many design changes were made to the part.
the AR in lets say AR-15 stands for the company that made it: Armorlite Rifle.

the other posts explain the AR in regards to model As. I personally think its when they were forced to go to a separate parking brake system mid 28.
 
Ford, in its “Parts Price List for V-8 and 4-Cylinder Cars, 1928 - 1932,” Effective December 20, 1932, added “AR” to part numbers, i.e., “A-1012-AR,” for use on the “A” chassis.

A note in the front off the price list says: “NOTE: - Codes A, B, 18, AA and BB, under heading “Code” designate where parts are used. For example: A-1012-AR is used on “A” chassis; B-1012 is used on “B” and “18” chassis; B-1139 is used on “A,” “B,” and “18” chassis.”

Is it possible that owners of early Model As who bought parts for their 1928s associated the “AR” parts suffix with early cars?

Does anyone know how long the “A” chassis was in production?
 
The term definitely comes from the initial Model A part number scheme.

My feeling is it's just early collector 'slang' or 'jargon' used to denote the very earliest Model As with their notable differences, like red steering wheels, multiple plate clutches, unified brake system, etc.

Kinda like the Mustang collectors when they refer to '64-1/2 Mustangs, which is a term Ford never used publicly, but which was used internally in their Service and Parts Bulletin pubs.
 
The perfect license plate for an "AR" Model A:)
 

Attachments

  • 20170422_075157.jpg
    20170422_075157.jpg
    46.8 KB · Views: 8
On Bonhams Auctions web page they explain AR as:
Although Ford never actually cataloged a "Model AR," everyone knows what it is: a very early 1928 Model A, with several notable differences from cars built from mid-1928 through the end of production in 1931. The designation results from an "R" suffix on parts that are particular to the early cars, but in frequent Ford fashion the convention is confusing. The suffix means "Replaced," and it was applied only after those early parts had been superseded. Moreover, the superseded parts were incorporated at different times, so there is no one definition of what constitutes an "AR." Early cars had a red steering wheel, and the hand brake lever was located to the left of the driver. Another feature was a five-brush "Powerhouse" generator, distinctive because of its short length and wide diameter. The entire braking system was redesigned in March 1928, and the hand brake was moved at that time. In contrast, steering wheels were changed from red to black quite late in the year.
 
And here I thought AR, when relating to the firearm, stood for the name of the manufacturer Armalite and 15 was the number of the design. I've always thought of Eugene Stoner as being on par with John Browning in gun design.

I hated the early models of that weapon, but, it has become over the years one of the greatest guns ever.

To keep this with the Model A theme, an AR15 in a Model A just wouldn't be right would it. Now a Thompson typewriter would fit right in I think.

The AR15 in government/military version was selective fire. The civilian version was/is semi only.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top