The Ford Barn

nellis003 · 03-07-2011, 08:13 PM

Hi all,

My father and I are looking into getting this project Model A. The seller is calling it an "Opera Coupe," which is new to me as far as A's go. The slant of the rear window doesn't look right to either of us. It looks like a sport coupe that someone modified.

Does an opera couple even exist for the Model A? If so, can anyone tell if this is a legitimate one?

Thanks,
Nick

WTSHNN · 03-07-2011, 08:18 PM

It is a '29 Business Coupe.

Edited to add:
It is in the style of a '29 Business Coupe.

msmaron · 03-07-2011, 08:19 PM

many people called the "OPERA" as to the shape of the window but as above it was or is a business coupe!

nellis003 · 03-07-2011, 08:31 PM

Well, what do you know. I would have bet anything that window was an add-on.

Are these particularly sought-after or hard to find? I'd never seen one before.

Nick

Jim Mason · 03-07-2011, 08:59 PM

here's a couple pics...fwiw,jm

2manycars · 03-07-2011, 09:07 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by nellis003

Well, what do you know. I would have bet anything that window was an add-on.

Are these particularly sought-after or hard to find? I'd never seen one before.

Nick

Dont know about sought after, but they are not common around here. I think I saw 2 at last year's new england meet, with a few hundred cars. I have always liked the looks of the oval window. I would trade my roadster for one.

Ted in MN · 03-07-2011, 09:16 PM

There is a picture of a 1929 Business Coupe on the cover of the March/April 2011 Restorer magazine

CarlG · 03-07-2011, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted in MN

... the March/April 2011 Restorer magazine

Assuming that that issue ever gets here!

Dave Mc · 03-07-2011, 09:44 PM

I have one of those, also referred to as a "Doctors Coupe" they are much like a Sport Coupe but the rear Roof Bow is shorter and supported by an elliptical brace with a boot attached to the Bow

LukeDahlinger · 03-07-2011, 09:52 PM

Here's another one....

Steve Plucker · 03-07-2011, 10:01 PM

In my most humble opinion...the 1929 Business Coupe with oval windows (54-A) is probably the best looking Model A Ford "Coupe" style Ford made...I am druling over these photos.

nellis003...go for it and I hope to God you do not plan to make a frickin hot rod out of it because if you do...let me know and I will personally come get it from you!

Pluck

LukeDahlinger · 03-07-2011, 10:10 PM

Here's a few more of the same car I posted above. You really can't go wrong with Andalusite Blue. Note how different it looks in all sorts of light.

Steve Plucker · 03-07-2011, 10:12 PM

Luke...your killing me!

Pluck

Deluxe Delivery Don · 03-07-2011, 10:37 PM

Luke ,Keep sending pic's . I like to see Steve try to kill himself. Steve can I have your coupe if you do.

Special Coupe Frank · 03-07-2011, 11:00 PM

For some reason, those oval quarter windows have become known as "opera" windows, especially when they reappeared on cars in the 1970's...

pat in Santa Cruz · 03-08-2011, 12:00 AM

Before you get all excited by all the gorgeous photos of superior business coupes posted here and pay too much for the car, notice that the top on the car you are considering was done poorly. This indicates a lack of concern for good detail or poor maintenance. What other areas of this car were done as sloppily as the area of the top below the window?

Tom Wesenberg · 03-08-2011, 12:46 AM

I also noticed the poorly done top right off, as Pat mentioned. I wonder if this was a sport coupe with windows added, since it also has the added cowl lights. It would be nice if they didn't also change the trunk to a rumble seat.

Dave Mc · 03-08-2011, 01:02 AM

The 2 piece painted Belt Moulding that separates the top from Quarters and upper rear body panel is missing in that photo.always tough to find ,hopefully it's around there and goes with the car

montanajohn · 03-08-2011, 01:15 AM

Luke -- Nice coupe. Were trunk liners standard equipment on the coupes? I haven't found any in the repop catalogs, but I intend to put them in my '31 coupe. Looks like it wouldn't be a major challenge to make my own. So your coupe is Andalusite blue -- very nice to see that Andalusite is actually blue. Mine is what I would call "Andalusite Black." Only looks a little blue in a glaring summer sun.

Lycoming-8 · 03-08-2011, 03:23 AM

Luke,

Would be interested to know what date is stamped on the fire wall. I am curious as I have a Feb 29 Business Coupe which does not have the oval window and never did. It is essentially a Very Late 1928 style, or a sport coupe without the landau irons, or zippered rear window. I have seen several of the oval window style over the years, but never another of the blind quarter style. Thanks.

03-07-2011, 08:18 PM	#2
WTSHNN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,413	Re: Opera Coupe? It is a '29 Business Coupe. Edited to add: It is in the style of a '29 Business Coupe.

03-07-2011, 08:19 PM	#3
msmaron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 3,600	Re: Opera Coupe? many people called the "OPERA" as to the shape of the window but as above it was or is a business coupe! __________________ Mark Maron Ill., Region MARC & MAFCA MARC JSC Member MAFFI Trustee National Facebook Admin. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MARC.group/ A7191-Sport Coupe 29 Roadster 29-Town Sedan 29-Original Special Coupe

03-07-2011, 08:31 PM	#4
nellis003 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 153	Re: Opera Coupe? Well, what do you know. I would have bet anything that window was an add-on. Are these particularly sought-after or hard to find? I'd never seen one before. Nick

03-07-2011, 09:16 PM	#7
Ted in MN Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 74	Re: Opera Coupe? There is a picture of a 1929 Business Coupe on the cover of the March/April 2011 Restorer magazine

03-07-2011, 09:52 PM	#10
LukeDahlinger BANNED Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 956	Re: Opera Coupe? Here's another one.... __________________ Wanted- Feb. 1931 Parts Price List www.vintagefordfacts.blogspot.com

03-07-2011, 10:01 PM	#11
Steve Plucker BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walla Walla, Washington USA Posts: 6,066	Re: Opera Coupe? In my most humble opinion...the 1929 Business Coupe with oval windows (54-A) is probably the best looking Model A Ford "Coupe" style Ford made...I am druling over these photos. nellis003...go for it and I hope to God you do not plan to make a frickin hot rod out of it because if you do...let me know and I will personally come get it from you! Pluck

03-07-2011, 10:10 PM	#12
LukeDahlinger BANNED Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 956	Re: Opera Coupe? Here's a few more of the same car I posted above. You really can't go wrong with Andalusite Blue. Note how different it looks in all sorts of light. __________________ Wanted- Feb. 1931 Parts Price List www.vintagefordfacts.blogspot.com

03-07-2011, 10:12 PM	#13
Steve Plucker BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walla Walla, Washington USA Posts: 6,066	Re: Opera Coupe? Luke...your killing me! Pluck

03-07-2011, 10:37 PM	#14
Deluxe Delivery Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mill Creek WA. Posts: 341	Re: Opera Coupe? Luke ,Keep sending pic's . I like to see Steve try to kill himself. Steve can I have your coupe if you do.

03-07-2011, 11:00 PM	#15
Special Coupe Frank Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Penna Posts: 2,108	Re: Opera Coupe? For some reason, those oval quarter windows have become known as "opera" windows, especially when they reappeared on cars in the 1970's...

03-08-2011, 12:00 AM	#16
pat in Santa Cruz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: santa cruz, calif Posts: 2,011	Re: Opera Coupe? Before you get all excited by all the gorgeous photos of superior business coupes posted here and pay too much for the car, notice that the top on the car you are considering was done poorly. This indicates a lack of concern for good detail or poor maintenance. What other areas of this car were done as sloppily as the area of the top below the window? Last edited by pat in Santa Cruz; 03-08-2011 at 12:36 AM.

03-08-2011, 12:46 AM	#17
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Opera Coupe? I also noticed the poorly done top right off, as Pat mentioned. I wonder if this was a sport coupe with windows added, since it also has the added cowl lights. It would be nice if they didn't also change the trunk to a rumble seat.

03-08-2011, 01:15 AM	#19
montanajohn Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 26	Re: Opera Coupe? Luke -- Nice coupe. Were trunk liners standard equipment on the coupes? I haven't found any in the repop catalogs, but I intend to put them in my '31 coupe. Looks like it wouldn't be a major challenge to make my own. So your coupe is Andalusite blue -- very nice to see that Andalusite is actually blue. Mine is what I would call "Andalusite Black." Only looks a little blue in a glaring summer sun.

03-08-2011, 03:23 AM	#20
Lycoming-8 Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 76	Re: Opera Coupe? Luke, Would be interested to know what date is stamped on the fire wall. I am curious as I have a Feb 29 Business Coupe which does not have the oval window and never did. It is essentially a Very Late 1928 style, or a sport coupe without the landau irons, or zippered rear window. I have seen several of the oval window style over the years, but never another of the blind quarter style. Thanks.