Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

Hey guys,

I was wondering what, if any differences there were between 28 and 29 grille shells and hoods for passenger cars. Open cars, if it matters. And if AR's (E28's) had a different hood or grille than standard A's in 28.

Any info would be appreciated!

Thanks!
S

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

The very early 28's have the hood lacing woven between holes in the shell like the Model T, all others were riveted. The crank hole molding at the bottom was a circle for '28, in '29 the molding contoured slightly to the bottom of the shell like a bell.

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

Great! Okay. Good info.

How about the hood? Number of louvers and placement the same? I was thinking that the louver layout was different between hoods, and maybe even more different for the AR.

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

hood louvers parallel the top line I'm sure there are pictures on the internet and the four door sedan had a moulding along the hood sides that matched the cowl and body line special only to that body.

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

There is also a difference in the hood latch clips riveted to the louver sides - 28's were rounded on the 3 corners and 29's had sharp corners. There are pictures in the Judging Guidelines showing the two styles. There is also a picture showing the early hoods with the louvers parallel to the top hinge and the later hoods in the JG's that Al described above.
Rusty Nelson

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

The V.Early hood handle has a hole @ each end of the lift handle..

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

Great info!! Thanks guys!! Anything else?

I'm mostly trying to decipher what would look correct on a very early '28, but the car will not be 100% AR. If I can get away with a standard 28 grille shell and hood, I would like to.

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

Unless you want to pay big time, the very early radiator shells with the lacing weaved into the shell are quite expensive as they don't come along often. Most I have seen on eBay are in the $500 to $1000 range. I don't know if they sell for that much or not. In fact, there is one on eBay right now for $995. I doubt it will sell for that price, but I am watching it to see what happens. Also, the hoods with the louvers parellel to the top hinge are also very hard to find. I beleive most of the early hood had 4 rivets attaching the handles verses the handles with the holes in them like Fred mentioned above. I believe only the very, very early hoods used the handles with the holes in them. I believe the information I stated above is correct, but if no, maybe someone will correct it.
Rusty Nelson

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

The later hood and shell will work fine for you. The only one that would notice will be you of course and someone that is really an early enthusiast. I happen to have one of the early cars but unless you are really telling someone what month it was built it won't matter. Get it on the road and enjoy the fun!

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

I've followed this thread from the start and I think you need too
give us some information,...please.

1. Frame number and engine number( if the engine is original to
that car ).
2. Is there a gas tank number?
3. Photo of the lower firewall,...where the hood meets the firewall.
4. Photos in general of the car, including some interior shots

With this information we can date the car...close to the month(s)
it was made.

Dudley

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

John, Maybe !! If you go around with the Left hand brake assy, some, not all, will pick up a Wrong Hood and Radiator shell real quick & you will hear about it over & over.. Same with the light switch handle & base assy..:D

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

Dudley,

I haven't posted any threads about the car yet, as it's not really a car yet.

The car of topic will ultimately be a 1927 roadster on a 1928 frame with engine number 415. Will simply be a collection of parts mostly from 1927 and 1928, but sort of building it around the #415 engine, which is why the request for AR information. Sort of the idea that the car could have started life in late 1927 with a remaining Roadster body. The car will not be a restoration, but in fact a period correct, pre-war, purpose built race car in honor of the man (neighbor and friend) who passed and had dreams of building such a car. He had an early 1928 Roadster with several AR parts, but I do not think it was an actual AR. So I'm doing it the way he talked about.

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

Is it possible to modify a later shell to look like an earlier one? Can you post photos-I'd like to learn the difference. Thanks.

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

I'd still like to see some photos of the parts...plus the frame number
and the block number, please. The early guy's like looking at the
parts,...the BIG plus is, adding another early number to the list!

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

Here's a couple of photos that might help you. The first is a '29 Model A hood showing the hood louvers parallel to the ground. The second is a '28 Model A hood showing the louvers not parallel to the ground.
Fred

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

Go to this link where Tom Wesenberg showed a closeup of the differences in the crank holes in the '28 and '29 radiator shells. It's in post number 3. It's easy to spot the bell shape around the crank hole on the '29 vs the '28 round/oval embossing.
Fred
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...radiator+shell

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

Not sure what you mean by being not parallel, is the spacing between the hood joint and the top of the louvers different from back to front?

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

Early 28 had all the louvers the same length, while the later ones grew in length gradually as they went to the rear.

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

Keep the pictures and info coming. Thanks guys!

I'll try and get some pictures of the engine. I need to get them for another gentleman here who started a thread looking to locate early engine info. The frame is not in my possession, at the moment. And i'm guessing the frame is not an AR frame. The body is in a million pieces and in storage. I have a long list of parts I still need to acquire for this project, so there's not much to see, yet. I'll certainly start a thread when it's all sitting under one roof in one pile.

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

Was the 1928-29 Fordor hood totally unique or will the other common sides fit the Fordor tops? Bob

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR
 

The hood handles on the very early hoods are also different; they are attached with open rivets just like the Model T hoods.

Ron

Re: Grille and Hood differences 28-29 A AR