Happy with my Ford A
 

Hello, I just bought 3 weeks ago a Ford AF (F for France) 1931 Tudor, in a very good original condition, just one owner before me. The car runs but before I use it I'll do a major servicing to make it reliable. There is plenty of information on your forum, and it's always nice to read
Ford AF has a smaller engine than the US model, the bore is smaller, just 125 ci.

What paint do you recommend for the rims, polyurethane or epoxy?

see you soon with more questions

Thank's

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

powder coat them

good luck with the car and welcome to the barn

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

When you get a chance post some pics of your car. We would like to see your progress from where you start.....
Good luck

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

AF31FAB...

First, welcome to the Model A Ford hobby and Fordbarn.

Can you point me to the document indicating to you that "AF" means France?

The only indication of the "AF" and or the "AAF" designation is contained in the May 16, 1928 Fargo FORD SERVICE LETTER. However the letter does not indicate just what the "F" means. It is thought that it means FOREIGN as there were about 8-10 foreign assembly plants besides those in the USA.

Check the engine number chart and see if the number lands within those sent from FORD to be designated as to be used for those foreign engines.

Also, look closely for an assembly plant code on the body of the Tudor. Go to my website www.plucks329s.org and go to Additional Studies...then go to Letters, Numbers and Codes and study the assembly plants, their codes and where they are located on the body. Your code, if it is there, might tell us some more.

Thanks.

Pluck

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

I would agree with the powder coat, I did and they are nice.

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

We have used powder coating for several Model As. They look great and hold up to the rigors of use very well.

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

Welcome and I agree with powder coating.

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

Vince's site states "The "F" in the prefix was used in England only to indicate
the small bore engine". See "British Built" in the link http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/ABenginenumbers.htm

Bob

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

I use Rustoleum, cheap, and easy to touch up.

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

Bonjour AF31FAB,

...et bien venu au FordBarn.

Peux-tu poster une photo de ta voiture?

AF désigne simplement que la voiture a un plus petit moteur, non seulement de la France.

En ce qui concern les roues, la peinture en poudre electrosttique est le mieux, a mon avis.

A bientôt,
Brad in Maryland

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

a poor picture.... I will post another in few days

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

A friend of mine has the de-rated Model A motor (as used in the UK) installed in his "A" and says it is really gutless compared to the standard "A" motor. I reckon you would get a lot more enjoyment out of your Model A if you swapped the 125ci motor for a standard 40hp motor.

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

Nice looking car! But, I thought AF was "American Ford":)

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

I just had my wheels painted Epoxy, very happy.

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

looks good!

if you can, please post photos of the engine,

thanks!

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

Thought I had read that AF stood for cars built in England specifically for export. Is your car RHD? A lot of the rhd parts are stamped AF along with the part number.

I too recommend powder coated wheels.

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

I painted my wheels 14,000 miles ago with enamel & hardener & they still look like new.

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

I've seen some nice powdercoated wheels and frames, but I'm still sticking with PPG spray paint.:)

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

Thank you everyone for your answer, another pictures the motors the Ford plate, and a copy of the manual for the AF specification

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

Very cool! Love the data plate, great car. Post many pics...

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

Could they just be bored out to make the 3.876 standard A bore from the stock 3" AF bore?

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

For the sake of history and authenticity, I'd just leave it the way it was first manufactured.

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

Noting your NICE "AF" data plate, the original engine number that was dropped into your 1930 Tudor was AF2954036.

This number was one of 10000 Omitted Engine Numbers that was sent to England for the overseas usage. Those numbers were between 2950001 and 2960000. These numbers were not used in the USA production. Part of the March 4, 1930 production numbers.

Would be interesting to know if that number is on the frame.

The 6 9 29 number I have no idea what it is.

Also, would there happen to be an assembly plant code on the subframe of the BODY?

Pluck

Re: Happy with my Ford A
 

What an interesting Model A. Vivre la difference. Please check, as Steve says, for a body number on the metal crossmember of the body floor, below the front of the drivers seat. I think these European A's were made at Manchester,England, with American body panels welded there ; they were done LHD for export & probably had some French made parts/items [check the '29 style lamps with clear lenses] at assembly near Paris. Notice the inlet manifold has the boss for the stud where the RHD distributor rod pivot is mounted. This is a good indicator that the engine came from the Manchester Plant.