How to tell the actual Year of Commercial Model A's

[Fullraceflathead]

I thought I read somewhere (Can't find it now) that the Commercial Model A's didn't change years with the beginning of Jan. I thought they changed years in May or sometime later than the beginning of each new year.
Is there any way to verify this?
I have a 1928 or so I believe, Roadster pickup. The engine dates it to November 1928, IF it's the Original engine. No the frame numbers never been seen. I'm putting this back into the California DMV System soon (Good luck!, I know).
I was told it was a 1928 by the last owner, he had it since the '60's.
It was originally an abandoned Model A found out in the Desert in the early '60's. The history before this is long gone. It was registered in California up untill the '80's. It was parked until I bought it last year.
Could this still be a 1928 or most likely a 1929? The Pink slip from the '60's is lost and it was listed as a 1929. With the high volume of Model A production in late '28 and early '29 I can't see how this engine sat around for too many weeks before being used. This also assumes it's the original engine.
I'd like to hear some thoughts on this if someone can help.
Thanks,

[1931 flamingo]

I would think if you have last owner's name they could verify year OR run the engine # by them to see what comes up.
Paul in CT

[Marco Tahtaras]

It's on the border and could go either was. Is there a visible date on the gas tank? That could push it later possibly. There is virtually no difference between an Open Cab pickup built in November 1928 and one built 3-4 months later.

It's worth noting that in those days California used the "Date First Sold" for the year on the title.

[Bob C]

You are probably thinking of the 1930 model year. The P/U and AA used
the 28-29 sheet metal until mid year.

Bob

[Fullraceflathead]

I stripped the paint on front left side of the cowl/gas tank to see the Date Stamp. Mine has none.

[Chris Haynes]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by Fullraceflathead

I stripped the paint on front left side of the cowl/gas tank to see the Date Stamp. Mine has none.

Possibly an Early '30. Of course the frame number will nail it. Another thing to look at is the floorboards. The Early '30 has a different bolt pattern than the '29. Late Early '30's used a twist lock gas cap instead of screw on. What are the date codes on tranny and rear end, if they are the originals.

[Fullraceflathead]

Engine is dated Nov. 1928, Trans is a AA 4 Speed the was retrofitted, casting date on it is 2-13-31.
I think it is an early '29 if not late '28.

[Chris Haynes]

Have you checked the floor board bolt pattern? '28 and most '29 have date code on firewall. Late '29 and Early '30 do not.

[RonC]

Make a table listing part changes on the left and date changes across the top from the judging standards and service bulletins and service letters for as many parts of your truck as you can. You should be able to date it within 3 months if your truck is mostly original.

[Charlie Stephens]

Another confusing thing is that when a change was made for passenger cars the extra parts were used on commercial vehicles until they were exhausted. The serial number on the frame is probably the best source to determine a year. Keep looking for the VIN (serial number). The DMV will probably want to see it (or have it verified). Sometimes it takes polishing and acid etching to get the VIN visible.

Charlie Stephens