What came original?

[1928forda]

Hello all,

I have owned my for for 20 years now, and am just now trying to sort out what was original on the car when it left the dealer. Doing a vin search, my car was built 21 March, 1928.
Parts in question are:
Mesh grille
Door handles
Wind deflectors (didn't come out until May 1928)
Rear luggage rack
What are correct front bumper clamps? ( mine has solid nickel without blue top and bottom on both sides and round ford in middle without made in USA)
Rear bumper clamps? ( mine are nickel with ford script in blue in middle)
Radiator cap (mine has flying bird)



Any insight greatly appreciated!
Also, how do I attach photos of car it keeps saying upload failed...

[Karl]

Get a copy of the Judging standards it's all in there. I would look it up for you but my JS are at a friends currently. Maybe someone else could help you. I'm sure the radiator stone guard is not original -Karl

[1928forda]

Also, how do I tell if mine is us or Canada?

[glenn in camino]

On your list, door handles are original except on roadsters and phaetons.

[1930artdeco]

Welcome tot he Barn. A lot of what you describe are accessories from the era and later. As far as the picture goes, it may need to be resized to a smaller file size.

Mike

[1928forda]

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Mine is a phaeton, so I guess handles are not original either. Luggage rack is also an accessory?

[Steve Plucker]

1928forda (Mr. Denison?),

First of all why not join a local Model A Club? Second, you should get a copy of the MARC/MAFCA Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards. There is a wealth of information in this publication.

How did you determine that your car was built March 21, 1928?

Pluck

[1928forda]

Originally Posted by Steve Plucker

1928forda (Mr. Denison?),

First of all why not join a local Model A Club? Second, you should get a copy of the MARC/MAFCA Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards. There is a wealth of information in this publication.

How did you determine that your car was built March 21, 1928?

Pluck

using the vin search on modelahouse.com

The car is in Cal for winter storage now, so I will check engine number when i see it next!

[1928forda]

photo

[Fred]

Originally Posted by 1928forda

Hello all,

I have owned my for for 20 years now, and am just now trying to sort out what was original on the car when it left the dealer. Doing a vin search, my car was built 21 March, 1928.
Parts in question are:
Mesh grille
Door handles
Wind deflectors (didn't come out until May 1928)
Rear luggage rack
What are correct front bumper clamps? ( mine has solid nickel without blue top and bottom on both sides and round ford in middle without made in USA)
Rear bumper clamps? ( mine are nickel with ford script in blue in middle)
Radiator cap (mine has flying bird)



Any insight greatly appreciated!
Also, how do I attach photos of car it keeps saying upload failed...

The only thing I see on your list that would be correct is the rear bumper clamps, but they could be the later reproductions with out seeing them.. And now seeing it, the wheels should be black..

[700rpm]

Nice car! And welcome. I concur on the Restoration Guide and Judging Standards. Even if you never plan to be judged, all your questions about what is correct for your car are in there.

Also, join a club. Great fun and the best people in the world.

[1928forda]

more photos

[J Franklin]

Is the engine original to this car, or a replacement? Canadian cars used a type of body/trim fastener similar to a phillips head. I had an early '28 Some say AR, with all the early features and it was Canadian. The upholstery was black.

[1928forda]

have to check engine... i do believe its original, but could be mistaken!

[1928forda]

How do I tell if engine is original? From my understanding, the vin for the body can only be seen by removing body from frame. I got my build date by searching the vin I have on my insurance. Assuming this vin matches engine, how do I know if it matches frame, or if engine was replaced? I have been reading that engines were produced some 3 months before attached to a frame. If this is the case, wind deflectors could be original as they came in May...

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by 1928forda

How do I tell if engine is original? From my understanding, the vin for the body can only be seen by removing body from frame. I got my build date by searching the vin I have on my insurance. Assuming this vin matches engine, how do I know if it matches frame, or if engine was replaced? I have been reading that engines were produced some 3 months before attached to a frame. If this is the case, wind deflectors could be original as they came in May...

The quickest way to see if the engine is not original is to check the number stamped on it. If it is not in the range got the year of your car it is not original. If the number is correct it still may be a restamp and the font of the stamps need to be checked as well as the condition of the number pad as it should NOT be smooth and should look like the rest of the block.

Now me go back to the original post, "...original on the car when it left the dealer. " The dealer could have put just about anything on the car when he received it. Do you really want to know how it left the factory, what is an accessory?

[Jordan]

check the date stamped on the fire wall.

[J Franklin]

Is the emergency brake handle by the drivers side? Does it have separate emergency brake bands/rods?

[1928forda]

So cross reference engine number build date with firewall stamp and see if they are within range of each other.. Sounds good.
I'm going to be plating parts on the car soon, and I'm asking what is original to the car because if it's not, im not paying to plate it. For example, the front bumper clams I will just replace with the correct ones vs plating. Im fine with accessories on the car so long as they are time correct. So I will leave the wind deflectors on. Was the luggage rack an option in 1928? It's in good shape but salt water air has gotten to it!
The parking brake handle is behind the shifter, and is the squeeze, not button. Is this what you are asking?

[DougVieyra]

Fred - Post # 10 : "The only thing I see on your list that would be correct is the rear bumper clamps, but they could be the later reproductions with out seeing them.. And now seeing it, the wheels should be black.."
_______________________________________

I heartily agree with Fred, post # 10.

I also have a '28 Phaeton - it is the same colour as yours - Duchess/Niagra Blue. I have a set of the correct black wheels for it, as well as a set of the optional grey wheels for it. I had the black wheels on it between 1979 and 1985, while I was entering it into Blue Ribbon - Fine Point judging at the National Level. Since then I have Grey wheels on it, as I much prefer the color combination.

Also, you would be much more self-sufficient if you were to educate yourself about your '28 Phaeton - by buying a set of the MAFCA / MARC "Restoration Guidelines". You've come this far with your car, why not spend a few more dollars and have at your finger tips, a vast accumulation of knowledge, representing thousands of hours of diligent research by scores of experts in the field for Model A authenticity.

- Doug Vieyra, Eureka, Calif