What was reason for using material to cover the rear spring!?

[Ayers1]

I'm working on a late 31 town sedan and when I bought it, it was missing the spring cover under the rear seat. I thought that was an odd item to be missing but what the heck. When I started looking for a cover I found out that material was available as a cover. Did they start doing this because it was cheaper, easier, or less labor intensive? I assume there's a special frame that goes around it but I made my own.

 

[rotorwrench]

There was a formed metal cover for certain models. I'm not sure if they are still available now with so many item of reproduction that are disappearing from the market.

 

[Ayers1]

Unfortunately I haven't been able to find a metal cover. The ones that I've seen have been tack welded in or formed in as part of the floor pan. This actually has screw holes around it in a specific pattern and a lip rolled up around the hole which makes me believe it came with a fabric cover. A fellow club member says his car has one too. It's also a late 31 TS. Maybe Ford was trying something? Idk.

 

[jw hash]

it was so the seat springs would have more clearance.

 

[Ayers1]

it was so the seat springs would have more clearance.

Interesting, I would not have thought about that angle.

 

[Jim/GA]

Yes, you are correct. There is a metal frame that screws down over the fabric. This is a 1931 thing. The fabric piece keeps dust and dirt out from under the rear seat bottom cushion, but you also don't have any metal to metal contact (rattle) of seat springs. I don't think it was about saving money.

 

[Ayers1]

Thanks Jim, I'll keep an eye out for one. I was thinking money savings because of the stories we hear about how tight Henry Ford was.

 

[Steve Schmauch]

The original fabric is the same found in a white canvas sack. That is what I found when I restored my 31 TS over 45 years ago.

 

[Oldbluoval]

Or old timey tent material

 

[Ayers1]

While I was looking for a cover I found that Mike's Afordable had the cloth to cover the hole with. I assumed it would have pleats or sewn in but it was a flat piece of top material. I put it in late last night and got up thinking I put it in upside down. After reading the last couple of posts I'm pretty sure of it now. The waterproof black side should face down and the white underside should be what you see when you lift the seat.
Thanks for the information guys!

 

[Bill Cilker]

Here is a picture of the frame cover on my April SW sedan. It has a white cotton material then a piece of seat upholstery.

 

[Synchro909]

I find this thread intriguing. I have never seen nor heard of a fabric cover there and wonder why did Henry do it? The sheet metal covers I have seen are IMO, better. Is this a 1931 thing only?
Has to be because it was cheaper.

 

[Ayers1]

When I was growing up, my dad bought and sold at least a dozen A's. He restored a couple but mainly refurbished them and made sure they were safe for the road before he passed them on to the next owner. This continued after I left home so I still got to see a wide variety of styles most of my life. I feel like I am fairly knowledgeable about them but it amazes me all the details like this that I haven't run across.
@Synchro909- I know in posts above it was said for clearance purposes but it looks like it could be less expensive to use. Even if it was the last half of 31 a few pennies on 200,000- 300,000 cars would add up.

 

[Herb Concord Ca]

The cloth cover helps keep dust out of the car.

 

[Bob Bidonde]

Jim/GA has it right. The attached photos may help you. I made the rear spring cover that is in my Victoria. I used scraps of vinyl roof material. I did the sewing by hand.
The original cover was made of brown check seat upholstery material. I took it apart to make the sketch attached. The cover is attached to the floor with 4 steel straps and machine screws.

 

[Ayers1]

Thanks Bob! Maybe I didn't put it on upside down. Looks like most people have installed it vinyl side up instead of facing the undercarriage.
I'll admit I don't know everything about an A but working on this one is almost like working on a whole new model! I have found out so much that is different from the first 3+ years of production.

 

[jetmek]

This correct. Mine is the same

 

[jetmek]

Here is a picture of the frame cover on my April SW sedan. It has a white cotton material then a piece of seat upholstery.

This correct. Mine is the same