Wind Wings

Klattu1929

Klattu1929

Senior Member
I've done searches on wind wings, pretty much all I ever get is installation info on installation problems. My 29 phaeton has the top irons and bows, but the covering material is long gone. So I drive it with no top, here's my question; are wind wings worth installing, do they provide enough benefit to warrant the cost and work involved with installing them. Plus with hearing aids wind noise can be pretty annoying.

I know opinions can be alot, ask about oil, ohhh mmman. Just looking for some open car folks that drive with the top down and would like to hear about their experience. thanx
 
Well, go back to the source: FoMoCo. For the '26-27 Model T "Sport" Roadsters and Tourings, windwings were standard equipment. They were dropped when the 1928 Model A came out, but - they reappeared on the 1929 open cars. That's pretty good evidence that they work and were popular. Customers must have let Ford know that they missed the Model T windwings that weren't included with the '28 Model A's.
I have driven different open cars cross-country and I can attest that windwings do help deflect air and bugs. They are not a substitute for not having a top, but they do help. If nothing else, they make the otherwise Plain-Jane 1928-29 open cars (compared to the 1930-31 open cars) look more "complete". Look at the factory photos of '28-29 open cars in "The Model A Album" published by Floyd Cymer in 1960. Compare the 1928 open cars' look to the 1929 open cars. It may be subtle, but those windwings really do add some pizzazz in addition to being practical.
Marshall
 
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I've had them on all my open cars.They are on my July 28 phaeton,but I changed them to plain glass.The ones on it had little weeds tattoed on them,didn't care for the fancy look.Now they're resting in the shed waiting for whoever buys the phaeton.I have them on my 30 open cab truck,and I can run down the road in a driving rainstorm,and never get a drop on me until I come to a stop.I put that truck together in 04,and still haven't put the snaps in the side curtains.My 30 standard roadster was the same way.Without the wings the yellow jackets,wasps,and hornets seem to get sucked right in.I seem to get stung on the left side of my neck,arm,and my back.I sold that car years ago with the side curtains unfinished too.
 
A bit confused as I have had extremely different info from several owners. It was my understanding that 'wing wings' were ONLY on open cars...but I have seen them on Fordors and Tudors as well in Germany and their owners insisted that they were common on closed cars as well. What is the truth? While they look interesting as a finishing touch on closed cars, I can not imagine that they serve much purpose.
 
Klattu,
I may be in the minority but I welded up the mounting holes my Dad put in the 60’s. The glass moved around and scratched the top of the doors. One eventually fell out and shattered. I have been driving it for 40 years and don’t miss them. BTW, let me know if you still would like the seat spring dimensions.
John
 

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Personal preferences aside, you own a 1929 Phaeton. Windwings were standard on 1929 open cars. Therefore, if you want to keep your car authentic, windwings should be present. They were simple, plain unadorned 1/4" glass panes, no fancy etchings. That's more of a modern restorer thing. Your windshield posts should already be drilled to accept the mounting brackets. Do you have them? If so, why not get a pair of windwing glasses cut locally in SAFETY GLASS and mount them? Drive around and see if you like them or not. If for some reason you don't like them, the brackets and glasses could be sold through this website. I'm sure there are guys who'd be interested in them.

Alternately, is there someone locally with an open Model A that has windwings? Persuade him to drive you around with and without the windwings in place. That will give you a real-life basis for judging windwings' benefit.

As far as windwings on closed Model A's goes, I have seen contemporary ads for those as aftermarket additions. They did not come from the factory that way, nor were they even an option. Maybe Ford dealerships installed them for customers or they could be purchased at auto parts stores. But once again, they were not an item that could be ordered from the factory on closed Model A's (USA production).
Marshall
 
Things I learned about stanchions;
-They don’t come out unless you remove the lower side curtain pin.
-Ford used top material to shim and pad between body and stanchion
- Had to enlarge clearance hole in body for side curtain pin to get windshield to have consistent gap.

Question: How do you tell a happy Roadster/Phaeton Driver
Answer: By the bugs between their teeth.
 
Dimensions on the front and rear springs would be great, I put my spring construction on hold hoping for some dimensions. Been running back-up light wiring, some extra ground wires and power for the backlight in my water gage. Also built some new front flooring. Good winter projects. Nice job on welding up the stanchions.

As for the wind wings I have no parts and would have to start searching for brackets and should be able to use the glass pattern from the service bulletins. Stanchions are drilled, so if I find some usable brackets I'm going to give the wings a try. Thanx for all the input, there is a heck of a lot of knowledge on this website.
 
My 30 four door has etched wind wings and I just love them. Not only do they deflect the wind for the front seat passengers they also add style and elegance to the car. If you put them on and don't like them take them off and resell. Simple.
 
Specially-made windwings on the 1929 Town Sedan I finished this year. Not originally available on closed cars, but they are Oh! so practical besides being beautiful. The only other cosmetic liberty I took was adding a simple Moto-Meter WITHOUT wings.
Marshall
 

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they do work, deflecting wind from the side and help cut down some noise. hey, it's an open car so there's gonna be noise and wind no matter what.... you have to try and see for yourself whether or not they work for you. I like mine.
 
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