The Ford Barn

southfork · 06-09-2013, 11:52 AM

I have seen lots of pictures of Model As having side-mounted spare tires on this and other forums. Most side-mounted spares seem to be on commercial vehicles, and then, usually on the driver's side fender. What applications typically or always came from the factory with a passenger-side side mount spare?

Or, could a buyer order up a new Model A with dual side mounts, or with just a passenger side side mount? Maybe dealers could give you what you wanted?

Part of the reason I ask, is that I have an unrestored '29 roadster with dual side mounts, and factory-looking support rod brackets bolted to the inside of the firewall. These brackets held steel rods that went to the left and right sidemounted spares respectively. I haven't seen that feature on another car.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 06-09-2013, 12:17 PM

Are the side-mount brackets riveted to the frame rail? Most dealers did not have riveting capability. My guess based on what you have described it it is aftermarket.

southfork · 06-09-2013, 05:38 PM

The side mount arms themselves are where Henry Ford put them in 1929 and are riveted to the frame. What is bolted on is another set of brackets that attach to the inside of the firewall. Steel rods attach to those firewall brackets and then extend through the "cowl light hole" and out toward the upper portion of the spare tire to help stabilize it (I think). Part of this stabilizer function is conjecture, since the steel rods that come out the cowl light holes have been nipped off just outside the roadster body. They are in the right place to be stabilizers for the top of the dual spare tires though. Is this clear as mud???

Bob C · 06-09-2013, 05:49 PM

How about a picture??

Joe K · 06-09-2013, 05:55 PM

No stabilizer rods on my left mounted spare (29 CC pickup.)

Nice dent in the door though. But that seems to be OEM.

Joe K

Tom Wesenberg · 06-09-2013, 06:22 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Sounds like another JC Whitney money maker to help stabilize the top of the spare tire so the worthless side mount mirrors don't vibrate quite so much.

southfork · 06-09-2013, 08:40 PM

The firewall brackets were probablyfrom an aftermarket supplier alright, but I'm thinking that maybe the spare tire/mirror stabilizers were installed by the dealer, rather than the backyard mechanic, as right welled fenders and spare tire arms were not available except from Ford. I'll try to get a picture.

Per the brass dash plate, this 29 Roadster was sold new at the Ford dealership in downtown Oakland, CA, and might have been dressed up some before being sold.

06-09-2013, 11:52 AM	#1
southfork Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Idaho Posts: 416	Factory Side-mount Spare - left Side or Right? I have seen lots of pictures of Model As having side-mounted spare tires on this and other forums. Most side-mounted spares seem to be on commercial vehicles, and then, usually on the driver's side fender. What applications typically or always came from the factory with a passenger-side side mount spare? Or, could a buyer order up a new Model A with dual side mounts, or with just a passenger side side mount? Maybe dealers could give you what you wanted? Part of the reason I ask, is that I have an unrestored '29 roadster with dual side mounts, and factory-looking support rod brackets bolted to the inside of the firewall. These brackets held steel rods that went to the left and right sidemounted spares respectively. I haven't seen that feature on another car.

06-09-2013, 12:17 PM	#2
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,972	Re: Factory Side-mount Spare - left Side or Right? Are the side-mount brackets riveted to the frame rail? Most dealers did not have riveting capability. My guess based on what you have described it it is aftermarket. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

06-09-2013, 05:38 PM	#3
southfork Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Idaho Posts: 416	Re: Factory Side-mount Spare - left Side or Right? The side mount arms themselves are where Henry Ford put them in 1929 and are riveted to the frame. What is bolted on is another set of brackets that attach to the inside of the firewall. Steel rods attach to those firewall brackets and then extend through the "cowl light hole" and out toward the upper portion of the spare tire to help stabilize it (I think). Part of this stabilizer function is conjecture, since the steel rods that come out the cowl light holes have been nipped off just outside the roadster body. They are in the right place to be stabilizers for the top of the dual spare tires though. Is this clear as mud???

06-09-2013, 05:49 PM	#4
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 9,360	Re: Factory Side-mount Spare - left Side or Right? How about a picture??

06-09-2013, 05:55 PM	#5
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,612	Re: Factory Side-mount Spare - left Side or Right? No stabilizer rods on my left mounted spare (29 CC pickup.) Nice dent in the door though. But that seems to be OEM. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

06-09-2013, 06:22 PM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Factory Side-mount Spare - left Side or Right? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Sounds like another JC Whitney money maker to help stabilize the top of the spare tire so the worthless side mount mirrors don't vibrate quite so much.

06-09-2013, 08:40 PM	#7
southfork Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Idaho Posts: 416	Re: Factory Side-mount Spare - left Side or Right? The firewall brackets were probablyfrom an aftermarket supplier alright, but I'm thinking that maybe the spare tire/mirror stabilizers were installed by the dealer, rather than the backyard mechanic, as right welled fenders and spare tire arms were not available except from Ford. I'll try to get a picture. Per the brass dash plate, this 29 Roadster was sold new at the Ford dealership in downtown Oakland, CA, and might have been dressed up some before being sold.