Help for dating this Model A

[Guest mfmarti3]

Hi all, I need your help and knowledge in order to know the age of this model. My friend told me that this is a 1927 Ford Model A, and I think that he is a liar ahahah

 

Correct me if I´m wrong but as far as I have investigated:

- It´s a 1928-29 TUDOR SEDAN (55-A)
http://htsmall.macsautoparts.com/skin/frontend/ecklers/macs_branded/images/specifications/model-a/models/1928-29-TUDOR-Sedan.jpg

 

- The front side is correct for 1928-29, but the radiator grill is not original:
http://htsmall.macsautoparts.com/skin/frontend/ecklers/macs_branded/images/specifications/model-a/models/SPEC-MDA-1928-29-front-view.jpg

 

- Correct 1928-29 Cowl Side View
http://htsmall.macsautoparts.com/skin/frontend/ecklers/macs_branded/images/specifications/model-a/models/SPEC-MDA-1928-29-cowl-side-view.jpg

 

- The lens are a 1929-1931 desing
http://www.mafca.com/photos/HL-lens.jpg

Questions:

 

- Really exist a 1927 Model A Tudor? I know this car went on sell at Dec1927 (maybe 1000 units during this year) and end in 1931 but checking all books I find 1928 to 1931 models.

 

- This is a right hand drive car so, if this part is original, where was build? In USA, Canada??? maybe can be custom?

 

- How can detect the age of this car? only checking the serial, right? where is located this serial?

 

 

Pics: The car is located in spain.

 

https://scontent-mad1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13442197_10157311710925508_3061483102440159076_n.jpg?oh=726ccb361bd165b5a65a5d6ad0ae1621&oe=57D58008
https://scontent-mad1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13423950_10157311710940508_5489606140160574440_n.jpg?oh=ed0342dd35eb97d868953c1be17104db&oe=57D4CFA8
https://scontent-mad1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13423925_10157311711450508_552279963807513893_n.jpg?oh=5b4ea20773da989539172b0e9b64989e&oe=57D48D5E
https://scontent-mad1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13413717_10157311711475508_3052694531259258090_n.jpg?oh=83f573fbb85da3135bf919cbd5125d94&oe=57D9DD28
https://scontent-mad1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13450135_10157311711630508_6460443237144793973_n.jpg?oh=108dcc5000457b58348236acd84a669d&oe=57DAD1F3
https://scontent-mad1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13442253_10157311711645508_8426391219820903416_n.jpg?oh=d54c14425f2e0d66324c1080185e9bc8&oe=57C67320
https://scontent-mad1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13450075_10157311711790508_7675028106484765218_n.jpg?oh=2f4556273024a10df4ecd887ae620f3c&oe=57E01CBC
https://scontent-mad1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13412980_10157311720640508_7739622188194891528_n.jpg?oh=2221ad6cfc355503ac700d473e94ee46&oe=57CE286E

Many thanks and br

[MCHinson]

Model As were manufactured as 1928-1931 model year vehicles. Assuming it has the original engine it can be dated easily. What is the engine serial number? Originally, the engine number was used to identify a Model A Ford. The engine number would have also been stamped on the frame rail, but you can't see it with the body installed on the frame. 

[CarlLaFong]

The car is a 28/29. 1927s were Model "T"s

[Guest mfmarti3]

Wikipedia source: "Model A first produced on October 20, 1927, but not sold until December 2, This new Model A was designated a 1928 model" sooo this means that never can be designated as 1927 model A right?

Edited June 17, 2016 by mfmarti3 (see edit history)

[Dave Mellor NJ]

Although the cars that were sold in late 27 can be called 27s they were always known as 28s,sort of like the 64 1/2 Mustangs were actually 65s. If the car is an actual 27 it will have a 4 digit ser,# or possibly a low 5 digit,like 11,000. The earliest known is 3495, I think. If any turned up lower than that it would be very valuable. The one in the pictures seems to be a 29 what with the prismatic lenses. There are some features on the early 28 or "AR" although that's a misnomer. Those features are the left hand brake (right hand on the RHD), beaver tail rear fenders,rounded corner on the front fender at the cowl, skinnier hub on the wheels,etc.

[Dave Henderson]

Engine manufacture and numbering preceded the assembly of Model A's by as much as about 2 months, so allowance for that would have to be taken into consideration.  This car has items incorrect for the body style showing, such as the door handle and tail light, and there is a distinct possibility that the engine which very often is a replacement in Model A's isn't original to the car.  Its number could possibly rule out it being original, and some additional clues such as the location of the emergency brake handle and verification of the color of the steering wheel could help pin down its year.   It does appear to have a red steering wheel, which is a '28 characteristic.
From a sheer statistical approach, the best guess is that it is a '29, because the Tudor of that year was produced in the greatest number of all Model A's made, 523,922. 

[46 woodie]

Some Model As were produced in '27. The "Title" or Registration show's the production date and there are many people that own and collect "Early" Model A's. That being said there are also a few "counterfeit" early cars out there. For example, there were only five 1928 Ford Station Wagons produced by Ford in 1928, yet there are at least two dozen registered in the National Woodie Club Registry. Some parts on "early" cars are different and collectable. 

[motoringicons]

This car has a lot of non-authentic and aftermarket parts-chrome headlamp bar, reproduction headlamps, incorrect tail lights, radiator screen,  non-Ford cowl lights, etc, etc, etc.. The color is not correct. It is not a early 1928 (or AR as referred to by collectors) due to the later 1928-29 wheels and brake drums. From what can be seen in the photos, it is  not a correct restoration. The 1928-29 tudor sedans are the most common Model A body style. If you are looking for one, you will certainly be able to find a better example.

Edited June 17, 2016 by motoringicons (see edit history)

[Guest mfmarti3]

new information:

 

 

The car owner have documentation and look like this car was sold in Uruguay 31-12-1927.... this can be possible?

[Ozstatman]

I'm going from memory on this, having owned a RHD '28 Model A Tudor over 50 years ago. In the course of ownership bought a number of other Model A parts cars, one of which, on disassembly, was found to have a date faintly stamped in the lower left corner on the firewall side of the cowl/gas tank which was a 1927 date! After finding that date checked other cowl/gas tank or firewall and found more dates but none in 1927. With the lapse of time I'm not sure if it was the bottom of the cowl/gas tank or the top of the firewall below it, but it was there! Check and see if you can find a date on the cowl/gas tank or firewall but if it's been repainted might be hard to find.

[Dave Mellor NJ]

6 hours ago, mfmarti3 said:

new information:

 

 

The car owner have documentation and look like this car was sold in Uruguay 31-12-1927.... this can be possible?

when the A was introduced it was revolutionary. People were clamoring to see one and buy one, they couldn't begin to keep up with demand. I seriously doubt that they would have made and sold cars in foreign lands that early, especially RHD South American cars.

[Guest mfmarti3]

I think so, and I´m not sure if this car could be sent to Uruguay only in 29 days in 1927.... and what is the reason why this was a right hand drive car.... other question: where is located the model A ford factory in USA?

[MCHinson]

I can't read the number in your photo. What is the engine number? Are there any marks before and after the engine number?

 

Also, this site will help you understand Model A Ford engine number assignment: http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/ABenginenumbers.htm

[jpage]

On the '28's and '29's you may find a date stamped on the upper part of the firewall and it may be upside down. Some claim that this date is the build date for the vehicle and some claim that it's the build date for only the body. From the photos, it appears to me that what you have there is a '28 or '29 tudor that has been cobbled together over the years and is no way indicative of how a Model "A" would have left the factory for export, even if it was foreign built. There are a few changes on certain things on foreign built cars however and I think the changes are specific to the plants and countries in which they were built.  Most Model "A"s today are not correct or even restored correctly as there have been many halfassed attempt to upgrade mechanicals, electrical systems, incorrect color schemes and incorrect interior materials and colors and unfortunately many "new " buyers of Model "A"s get duped into thinking they are buying an original or correct car! If you just want a fun car, that may be OK, but these error detract from the real historical value in my opinion.

[rcr]

If the s/n in the photo is  185135 as it appears, it would have been manufactured June 1928 however, there do not appear to be stamped STARS before and after the number nor is there an "A" prefix and, the number 3 is not the correct font for any year.  

[1939_Buick]

On 18/06/2016 at 7:19 AM, mfmarti3 said:

The car owner have documentation and look like this car was sold in Uruguay 31-12-1927.... this can be possible?

But which part of this assembly of bits, if any, is Dec 1927?  The documentation he has may be for a Ford model T.

Ford's of this era are often assembled from random parts, as identified above

 

Uruguay was RHD drive until 2 September 1945.  Several pre was cars imported into Australia - New Zealand from Uruguay in the last decade or so.   Worth more here, as RHD, than in USA. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-_and_left-hand_traffic

Edited June 20, 2016 by 1939_Buick (see edit history)

[Dave Mellor NJ]

A lot of people don't know it but 28 RHD cars had a RIGHT hand brake lever much later than the left hand brake. I know a guy with a RHD phaeton with a right hand brake and a September date on the firewall.