Model Identification Help

Without knowing the frame number, it is hard to tell if it is a 30 or early 31. It is not a slant window. You say the rear window had a hinge. Did you mean the rear seat backrest? Based on two pictures, yes it is a town sedan- garnish below the windows, shade on quarter window, door pulls on the window frame. Looks like you have some work ahead.
 
Geee Everybody has a Town Sedan! Or so it seems. Yes I have a 30 Briggs fordor with the third window, Yes I have cowl lights, Ditto on the oval light and folding armrest. Did Ford make many of the other kind?
Terry

The two things that are usually missed when someone "upgrades" a Fordor to a town sedan are; the center arm rest and dome light.

Yes it can be done but it is easier to just put in an upgraded interior and cowl lights. It's a little more difficult to obtain the correct dome light, replace the wood necessary wood for the dome light and replace the back seat backrest with one that needs the arm rest.
 
"While I love historical accuracy,"


easiest way to increase the historical accuracy will be to get some blackwall tires. :D

other than that, it looks GREAT!

welcome to the world of Model As, Gerry, have fun!
 
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I will have to find it but I do have the cover for the light. It came out of 1929 town sedan. e-mail you address and when I find it I will sell it to you. In good shap, metal will need redone and white milk glass not a thing wrong with it. It is oval not round.


Terry Rose
5084 W. 1300N.
Milford, Indiana
46542
terry_rose2002@yahoo.com
 
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I also noticed the one piece running board shield which also indicates a late 1930 if the radiator shell is original with the car.

Ron
 
thank you for your input. i have received an abundance of quality information on the early v8 forum during my build on my 41 and knew i would find the same knowledgeable expertise on the A forum. you "old-timers" are a life saver to the hobby and i look forward to picking bits of info from you as i build my own piece of ford history. i realize i have quite an ambitious project ahead of me and i'm not going to jump right on it till i've done some research(and finish my 47!). as far as the body wood, i'm a carpenter of 25 years and figure what i can't make maybe i can buy. i'm not looking to build a judging standard show car, just a reliable driver i can haul the whole family in.
 
I'm not an "old timer" I'm just a few months ahead of you. My cousin had 2 Mod AA trucks on the farm when I was a kid, but they were almost beyond repair. Other than that, I had no contact with Mod As. I was looking and a friend found one in an auction, which I won the bidding in.
Looking over the rustbucket when I got it home, I found it was pretty intact. Although it was obvious that most of the wood was rotten. If your's is like mine, your carpentry skills will be very helpful. You'll need a bandsaw and a good sander. The woodwork in the the A is more like furniture making than framing houses. The wood work in mine, in total runs about $4-5000. I have a 1930 fordor Town Sedan. Coupes and other models are cheaper. Unless you're familiar with old engines, I would let someone who knows these rebuild it. I've rebuilt a couple of dozen engines (modern) and I can do it, But....... I'm not ready to pour babbit.
Even removing the head on one of these is a ordeal. I took mine off, looked around, saw what I wanted to see and buttoned it up again, only to have it leak somewhere internally. So I'm looking at a outlay of$3000+ in that Dept. Then there's paint and bodywork, upholstery at who knows how much$$$$$$ , plus " incidentals". So I do what I can. I bought a small MIG welder for the fenders etc and a couple of belt sanders at a flea market. Good luck with it!
Terry



thank you for your input. i have received an abundance of quality information on the early v8 forum during my build on my 41 and knew i would find the same knowledgeable expertise on the A forum. you "old-timers" are a life saver to the hobby and i look forward to picking bits of info from you as i build my own piece of ford history. i realize i have quite an ambitious project ahead of me and i'm not going to jump right on it till i've done some research(and finish my 47!). as far as the body wood, i'm a carpenter of 25 years and figure what i can't make maybe i can buy. i'm not looking to build a judging standard show car, just a reliable driver i can haul the whole family in.
 
didn't mean to insult you! i sure appreciate any info (good or bad) that i can get as i can weigh the pro's and con's for myself. have extensive wood working tools at my boss's shop, and mechanic tools in my garage. as far as drive train, i was contemplating updating to a 4.3 v6. i know that will probably set off some of the die hard A enthusiasts, but their cheap (used), reliable, and can be modded ( headers,intakes and etc).my budget is tight and i can only afford so much. maybe if the economy picks up i can go original. probably won't even start on it till next year or so any-way.
 
I want to thank everyone for the inputs.

Don Turley: I plan to replace all the handles so I'll be sure to install the correct ones AND to install them correctly. The current handles are very worn and detract from the appearance of the somewhat shiny paint and new interior. I will bag, tag, and save all the items I take off.

TerryH: The pin stripe has been added to the TO DO list. I've added the wood graining to the MAYBE SOMEDAY list - in case I win the lottery, or have time to practice doing it myself - neither of which I expect to happen soon.

Brian SATX: I got your PM and when I get ready to start working on it will give you a call. I do visit the Alamo A's website every couple of weeks and was hoping to attend the A/C install but unfortunately just couldn't get the time. Did it go well?

41fred207: I'm overwhelmed just trying to figure out my A, I couldn't fathom taking on a project like yours. Good luck and please post some updates once in a while.

Chris in Jax: I've actually been thinking of getting blackwalls and black wheels.

Again, thanks to all of you.

Gerry
 
Air conditioning went well. James Taylor did a good job as usual. He also rebuilds engines. When you need it, let me know and if you have not joined us by then, I will give you his contact information. You are welcome to come to a meeting, go on a drive or attend a seminar anytime you want with no obligation. We also have a club member that is a vendor for one of the major suppliers and stocks a lot of parts right here so you do not have to wait a week or so and no shipping cost. He also does major rebuilds on most componets- brakes, trannys etc. Ray Williamson-659-1527
 
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