windshield stanchion

B

beavercars

Senior Member
I have an early production (June, 1930) Model A deluxe phaeton. It has bronze lower stanchions. Is this typical for early production, or was this just a production option with cast iron throughout production of the roadsters and phaetons? John
 
That's why I am wondering if this was only in early production before Ford went just to cast iron or was a production option depending upon suppliers.
 
I have a Aug. 1930 ,180A but also a June 1930 ,180A and it had brass lower stanchions. Don't know if they were Bronze? A 1930 Aug. Deluxe Roadster had 1 brass top piece of top iron to stanchion and so did i on the June 1930 ,180A. Someone told me they were early replacement parts "but" i think thats alot of bull. I had potmetal outside roadster/phaeton door handles [chrome plated] and found out 6 other cars all were made in Wisc..If they ran out of parts on the line i bet a locale shop cast parts. And fast...For the judging i changed them to steel on the second 180A. [which is still in pieces.:>(
 
The early lower stanchions were indeed cast bronze. Cast bronze was easier to manufacture but did not hold up. The later stanchions were were made of steel, not cast iron. There was a forged section and a stamped section welded together. Ford had problems with breakage of the bronze type and replaced them sometime around September 1930. Additionally there was a change in all upper stanchions at the same time (Open Cab, standard open, Deluxe open). I'm not sure exactly what the change was but suspect it was the lower cup area. In some cases the old upper stanchions would work with the new steel lower stanchions but the dealers were instructed that if an old upper stanchion had to be replaced, they would have to order a new lower as well and return the old one to the Branch for credit.
 
Thanks, 180-A Fordbarners for all the responses...I thought that the bronze lower stanchions might have been used in early production. Luckily, my 180-A maintains several other early features such as the 62 and 7/8" bumbers and the "Z" shaped support for the top saddles. Thanks again, John
 
The real early 180A's have STEEL CHROME plated TOP STANCHIONS too. Bronze lower stanchions [think alittle more early then Sept 1930] late July on i would say. I'll check with the 180A Boys.Someone emailed me on a unrestored 1930 Aug. Deluxe roadster and 1 side steel and the other side bronze.So that would put that car being built somewhere in Aug.:D
 
Thanks for that info regarding the top stancions. Mine are, indeed, chrome plated steel. Can anyone tell me more about how the early production 180-A's differ from later production? So far, my phaeton seems to batting a 1000. John
 
Question Do you belong to the 180A club? Its $25.00 for 2 years with 2 issues per year. One other question does you 180A have a "OVAL" or "ROUND" speedometer? There are 3 known with "OVAL" ... Earliest is # 159-525 June 1930 then 159-540 .You will find the orginial tag on you firewall. If you don't have one i have a orginial not being used. And its early for a June car...180A's started somewhere in April 1930 and bodys were built by a lot of 50 at one time . So alot of changes were being made in between.
 
I have a question, I had a 1932 Roadster with (I believe) bronze lower windshield stanchions which were painted body color. I removed them to have them chromed (the vehicle was a hot rod) and was surprised by the weight of them. I believe the stanchions were original, but since it was a completed car when purchased I could be incorrect. Any thoughts? I still have those stanchions (never reinstalled) as I sold the car, with aluminum repros.
 
Peter: Yes, I am a member of the 180-A Body Style Group. Have been since the beginning...great information in the newsletters. My speedometer is round, and, luckily, I do have the original body tag, it is in the 15 hundreds.
 
peters180a/170b said:
Someone emailed me on a unrestored 1930 Aug. Deluxe roadster and 1 side steel and the other side bronze.So that would put that car being built somewhere in Aug.:D
Click to expand...

I get that all the time. At least 95 % of folks date their car by the engine number instead of other features that better tell the story. If that's the case then it's likely an October car like mine.
 
Just being a smart ***... Marco.... I tell them if its a Aug. car then parts was built somewhere as early as June. The parts were not made in Aug. for a Aug. car..My Aug.car has a starter and generator band cover stamped with a letter and number 2 months before Aug.and one other part Marco said to me in the past..the windshield glass date... The windshield glass was not made in Aug. for a Aug. car / so the date on the windshield glass too should be 2 months or less before Aug. So story is if you have a Aug. 1930 Roadster with 1 side steel and the other side bronze then this car was build as early as June of 1930 ..Ford had parts made months ahead of time before your car left the building. .
 
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