Identifying Year Of Model A Frame
 

I was recently given a bare Model A frame, just rails and crossmembers. How do I identify the most likely year or production period of the frame? No discernible numbers on left frame rail. I own a complete late 1931 Tudor Sedan. Doing a visual comparison the bare frame and my car's chassis look the same. Any further information? Thanks.

Re: Identifying Year Of Model A Frame
 

As a very rough guide 28/29 frames are drilled for both LHD and RHD steering box 30/31 are drilled one side only depending on what side drive it had when built .

John in Suffolk County England .

Re: Identifying Year Of Model A Frame
 

Thanks for the good easy to remember information .

Re: Identifying Year Of Model A Frame
 

One of our contributors has a research study on the frames. You can find it here.
http://www.plucks329s.org/

Re: Identifying Year Of Model A Frame
 

John,
You just answered a question that I've had for some time. A friend has a '29 and when we were under the car a few weeks ago I noticed holes in the frame on the passenger side that matched the holes on the driver's side for the steering gear. I later looked at my '30 and didn't see the extra set of holes. Were all '28's and '29's made that way?

Re: Identifying Year Of Model A Frame
 

http://www.plucks329s.org/pdf/frame/..._Assembly2.pdf


Steve Plucker has a great write-up on the evolution of the frame.

Re: Identifying Year Of Model A Frame
 

The radiator pad height is an easy way to distinguish 28-29 from 30-31.

Re: Identifying Year Of Model A Frame
 

That just made me realize that my 30 Fordor has a 28-29 cross member. Might partially explain why the hood alignment is off.

Re: Identifying Year Of Model A Frame
 

For Marty , there would have been a change over period so no doubt some early 30 vehicles could have both sides drilled until stocks were used up . I do have a frame with the 30 front cross member and drilled both sides also has the early handbrake cross shaft but with the holes punched for the later shaft it has the factory blanking plates . But these frames are rare I think .

John

Re: Identifying Year Of Model A Frame
 

I’ll try to read the original model (mfg) numbers, once I have the body off. If, need be I will redo the original VIN - ID, take photo, then reinstall the body.

Re: Identifying Year Of Model A Frame
 

Thanks for the info, looks like what I have is 1930 frame. tried various methods to get numbers come up on left frame rail, but no luck.

Re: Identifying Year Of Model A Frame
 

Not asking in terms of a points judging car correctness but value wise is it diminishing to have a later Model A on an earlier frame or chassis? Should one walk away from a say very early amatuer restoration that put a nice 1931 roadster body on what appears to be an early 1930 frame,mayby a late 1929 one with correct front crossmemember? Is this something that should be disclosed on buying or selling or just the way things were done on some Model A restorations? I know some people look at everything like a vintage Corvette that has to have all numbers matching which on a Model A made difficult if not impossible with Fords early on engine exchange program.

Re: Identifying Year Of Model A Frame
 

37 coupe- many will disagree, but I find no value difference in a diff frame. esp a driver.



with a corvette- the difference is huge.............