town sedan

M

meteorgray

Member
Hey Guys, What is the difference between a town sedan and a fordor sedan?
May be trading or selling my coupe for a 4 dr. Thanks, Roger
 
meteorgray said:
Hey Guys, What is the difference between a town sedan and a fordor sedan?
May be trading or selling my coupe for a 4 dr. Thanks, Roger
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Window blinds in rear seat area
Arm rest folds down middle of rear seat.


May be more but all I know. Freski
 
A Town sedan will have side arm rests in the back seat, a center folding arm rest, a dome light over the rear seat, the dome light switch will be in the passenger side, center door post. Additionally, there will be chrome door pulls on the window frames with garnish moldings under all of the window frames, fancy escutcheons around the window cranks, door handles and light switch and cowl lights.

That's all I can remember for now.
 
My Townsedan is the all steel one and heavy as all get out. Drives like a loaded dump truck, but I love it.
 
When buying a Fordor, unless its a slant, check the condition of the wood carefully. I got lucky on mine, didn't know enough about them when I bought it to even check the wood. But if the wood needs replacing it is a huge job on the Fordors.
 
As Eagle says, Watch the wood carefully! Total costs for replacement is over $5,000. (no there isn't an extra zero) This is any fordor. Some of the wood isn't even made. Go to my profile and click on the album "My A" It's a Briggs TS.
Terry
 
There is a lot of wood in the fordors. The later slant windshield ones has the least amount of wood. The town sedan was an upscale Model A, the body is a little wider and longer than the rest of the cars. The upholstery was a little higher grade. The arm rests in the rear were only on the town sedans. I like the 29 myself but the wood is a factor. Had to replace much of the wood in mine.
 
As others have said, the Town Sedan is a fancy, upgraded version of the Fordor. It is important to find one that the structural wood is in good shape. But a Town Sedan is a wonderful Model A, with what many consider the most comfortable front seat, and stylish enough to earn the nickname "the Baby Lincoln".
 
Got lucky, 70% of my wood was good, what was bad or missing I cut, shaped and installed myself, it's not hard, but it does take some time and patience.
Town sedan also has the rope on the back of the front seat.
 
Town Sedans have woodgrained dash and window trim.
Town Sedan or regular Fordor, you'll ride in comfort and enjoy either one.
 
There were differences between years, manufacturers (Briggs, Murray), straight and slant windshields.


This is from the Town Sedan Times,

S/W Sedan 160 A, B, C Differences

The Nov/Dec 2003 'Restorer' contained an article, '160 Series S/W Sedans' by Bruce Davis (See Summer 2012 TST-Jim Spawn, 'Restorer' Editor approved).

Bruce, via return April 19, 2012 email, sent the following recap:

160-A, Standard Fordor Sedan: The 160-A Standard Fordor Sedan has NO cowl lights, NO arm rests and had a Round Dome light just over the back of the front seat with an Internal switch. See the Judging Standards for color and upholstery options.

160-B, Town Sedan: The 160-B HAS cowl lights and an oval Dome light just over the rear window with the switch in the passenger side center door post. Rear arm rests were included as was upscale color and upholstery options.

160-C, Deluxe Fordor Sedan: The 160-C DeLuxe Fordor Sedan had all of the same features and options of the Town Sedan. The absence of rear Quarter windows gave the 160-C a distinctive elegant look.

All S/W Sedans had internal sun visors. Because of supply problems, some cars had one, others two.

Thank you Bruce for the article.
 
Thanks everyone, The information you all provided is terrific. This forum is so helpful, everyone is so eager to share their knowledge. Roger
 
eagle said:
When buying a Fordor, unless its a slant, check the condition of the wood carefully. I got lucky on mine, didn't know enough about them when I bought it to even check the wood. But if the wood needs replacing it is a huge job on the Fordors.
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So true Eagle, for me also a lesson that has been learned the hard way. The original wood was number one oak as is the oak in wood replacement kits. I've often thought about the nickname "Old Ironsides" for the USS Constituion as we fitted, shaped and sanded the replacement wood that acted almost like iron.
 
meteorgray said:
Thanks everyone, The information you all provided is terrific. This forum is so helpful, everyone is so eager to share their knowledge. Roger
Click to expand...

At $35 for each question answered we should be eager.:D

Just for kicks, I went to another general automotive forum and asked how to replace the thermostat on a 1991 Olds 88 with a 3.8 engine. The guy gave the wrong answer and wanted $35 for answering the question.:mad: No, I did not pay.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
At $35 for each question answered we should be eager.:D

Just for kicks, I went to another general automotive forum and asked how to replace the thermostat on a 1991 Olds 88 with a 3.8 engine. The guy gave the wrong answer and wanted $35 for answering the question.:mad: No, I did not pay.
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I have greatly appreciated your advice Tom and that of all board members who make the Ford Barn FUN and an invaluable resource for Model A owners.
 
Did all 160-B Town Sedans have a center arm rest in the rear seat? I have bought a slant window town sedan with all of the features above except for the center arm rest. Based on Mike V's response, it seems that it was not a required option for the 160-B.

And how much wider are these to other models? Saw that mentioned.

By the way, this is my first A. Should have it here in a couple of weeks.

Thanks!
Blake
 
The 160B did not come with the center arm rest and it was not an option for this model. My 160B is about 3 inches wider at the back window than my 31 Tudor. I believe the same fenders fit both but are inset more on the 160B.
 
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The 160B rear bumpers also have a different shape. It's a tighter curve for the 160B, if I remember correctly. I think Marco might have the pictures on his site.
 
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