what does AR stand for

[Popeye31]

I see AR in posts and in ebay adds what does it mean ?

[Tom Wesenberg]

"A" stands for the first design of a part, and "R" means the part is kept in stock for REPAIRS to fix cars that used the earlier design of that part, because the later design won't work. Early 1928 wheels is one example.

The way most people use "AR" it means the early 1928's without the seperate emergency brake. In other words the early Model A's with the E-brake on the left side instead of by the shift lever.

[Mike V. Florida]

There is a move on to stop using the word AR and start using early '28.

[Roadster62]

Not sure if the 1928 "AR" gets the purist as annoied as the "C" crankshaft or not, but they are definitions that I've used for over 50 years to correctly ID Ford parts. If the "C" crankshaft does not exist, drop it on the non believers foot and ask again.

[Craig Lewis]

Originally Posted by Roadster62

Not sure if the 1928 "AR" gets the purist as annoied as the "C" crankshaft or not, but they are definitions that I've used for over 50 years to correctly ID Ford parts. If the "C" crankshaft does not exist, drop it on the non believers foot and ask again.

Good point.
Now let me guess...the bruise on his foot can be any colour as long as it's black?

[kenparker]

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if you dropped a "C" crankshaft on someones foot would it not become a "gdsob" crankshaft? ken

[Jim Mason]

see Marco's site for an explanation. As for AR annoying purists...I won't get annoyed at someone calling a car an AR if I can call all the late cars with slant windows DR....fwiw,jm

[329s]

Heck, Ford was using the "AR" designation of parts even in 1931.

Saw it in the Indy Service Letters.

A-400/400-A...and so it goes....

Pluck

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by 329s

Heck, Ford was using the "AR" designation of parts even in 1931.

Saw it in the Indy Service Letters.

A-400/400-A...and so it goes....

Pluck

Right! AR is correct for parts, but not the car as a whole.

[Bob Johnson]

The problem as I see it with the term AR car is that it is undefined. Sure it is meant to designate an early 1928 car. However there is no distinct cut off point. The term just leads to confusion. I prefer using the term Early 1928 or better yet January 1928, February 1928 ......


Bob

[Brobrian]

I've wondered about this too. There are several indications that my coupe is an early '28. I've moved the e- brake and put in two- light headlights and a few other things now. But often when I had to get parts they wouldn't fit unless they were AR. The steering shaft is an example. Somehow it's different so the horn rod has to be a special length, and the shaft itself is hard to find.

[ctlikon0712]

I’ve heard Tom state this fact in many threads. I haven't researched this issue but his explanation seems the most plausible. There is many slang or commonly used terms used incorrectly, like Rocky Mountain brake drums.....

[Chris in WNC]

if you call a dog's tail a leg, how many legs does he have? still only four. calling the tail a leg does not make it one

even if you drop the crankshaft on your foot, the mythical "C" engine still does not exist.....

[Popeye31]

Thanks guys that clears up alot. so these parts are worth no more than the changed part.

[400A-64]

AR parts means nothing unless you have an early "A" that needs them. "C" engine means nothing unless you have a "B" block with a full counterwated crankshaft. It is a point of reference for most model ayers that drive some nit pickers absolutley crazey!!
My "A-400" has a vanity plate that reads "400A-64" But I sure luv my "A-400"
Bruce Davis ....having fun with my "A" friends.

[Fred]

Originally Posted by Popeye31

Thanks guys that clears up alot. so these parts are worth no more than the changed part.

Not so quick, It all depends on what you have, some yes & some no..

[al's28/33]

I read in the MAFCA newsletter once, the "R" meant that part was retired. Most parts already have the "A" designation, hence AR.

There are less AR parts out there than the common 29-30-31 parts. At least they are more difficult to find in decent shape.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by al's28/33

I read in the MAFCA newsletter once, the "R" meant that part was retired. Most parts already have the "A" designation, hence AR.

There are less AR parts out there than the common 29-30-31 parts. At least they are more difficult to find in decent shape.

Years ago when I went to the Benson Ford Research Center is the first time I learned about the "R" suffix and the blueprints point out that the part must be held for "REPAIRS", because subsequent part designs of that part can't be substituded for the earlier design. So, you could have an AR part, a BR part, a CR part, etc. depending on which design must be kept for repairs. This of course also applies for all years. So a 1931 could have some AR parts.

[Bob Johnson]

From the 1932 Parts Book;

A-190962-AR Channel (door glass) assy. - R.H. - 190A, 400A

Many of the "AR" parts are for the earlier cars but even the 400-A Convertible Sedan which was only build in the last half of 1931 had "AR" parts. So as I said before "AR" really does not mean much if anything. To make it meaningful one would have to say "Early 1928 AR" parts. But I think just "Early 1928" is enough to get the meaning.


Bob