Town Sedan Experts Please

[bogiediver]

Curious about a 1931 'A' advertised as a Town Sedan.

The pictures I was sent - particularly of the interior - give me pause.

Posted as a Murray 160B. Wedgewood Green & Black.

Rear mount spare with accessory trunk.

The rear seat does not have side or center armrests; no pull cord on the rear of the front seat; and no dome light in the headliner (instead has two lights mounted at the foot well, between the curve of the rear door and the rear seat front).

Rubber front floor mat (supposed to be carpet??)

Appears to have the light switch installed incorrectly...

Thoughts...

[mot]

intersting upholstered dash rail
wedgewood green?
this is a car you would like to have, just in the condition its in

[MikeK]

The interior has definitely been shagged up! There was no center rear rest or front seat-back robe cord on S.W. 160's. I do like it, though, if you lost the dash rail job and replaced it with woodgrain. It may have started life as a 160A. Just two Q's to answer- are you OK with it as is, non-stock, and is the $$ a good match for the condition of the rest of it?

[bogiediver]

I'm interested in a '31 160B; Murray (preferred) or Briggs. Admittedly, I don't know as much about them as I should - hence the questions - but I'm looking and willing to learn.

Doesn't have to be perfect - but no too far off the mark, either. Especially body & interior.

Mot - not sure I understand the intention of your last line...

[160B]

When Ford built the 31 Slant Window he had Murray and Briggs build the bodies the same so parts were interchangeable. There are some telltale differences such as Briggs used d-nuts on the fire wall and Murray used caged nuts on the firewall. Also Brigg had a manufactures mark the Briggs “Bug” on some production parts, and on the front cowl. See the attached photo showing the “Bug’ on the RF cowl .


The 160A. The ford Standard Fordor had scrolled door and window handles, painted molding around the windows and painted front dash; the dome light was centered in the car with a switch on the light and a rubber mat in the driver's compartment.


The 160B. The ford town Sedan had a pull rope on the back of the front seat, simple non scrolled door and window handles, wood grained molding (with a scalloped lower frame ) wood grained front dash, the dome light was over the back window and was controlled by a sliding switch on the door post, cowl lights and carpet.


The 160C. The ford deluxe town Sedan was the same as the 160B but no rear quarter window, referred to as a blind back.

PS: the sag of outside door handle on the driver’s side could be an indication a worn out door latch mechansim

[Charles Coe]

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I thought 160A was the SW Standard Fordor, 160B the SW Town Sedan, and 160C the SW DeLuxe Fordor.

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by Charles Coe

I thought 160A was the SW Standard Fordor, 160B the SW Town Sedan, and 160C the SW DeLuxe Fordor.

That is correct.

The car pictured is a 160-A with cowl lamps added. As noted, the interior is entirely incorrect for any model.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Also looks like the spark and gas levers were painted, as well as the shift lever and parking brake. This was done to make the job quick, easy, and CHEAP.

I wonder how much time and MONEY was spent of the mechanicals?

[bogiediver]

Thanks to all for the input... confirmed my suspicions.

Also found curious the pictures provided did not have any of the engine compartment.

My search will have to continue...

Did notice the painted shifter and brake lever, relatively easy to change. Didn't notice the advance and hand throttle being painted... a bit more difficult.

Please continue with the tips and education on what makes the 160B a 160B. I know I will certainly appreciate the information and I assume others will as well.

Thanks again.

[160B]

Here is the link to this beauty only $19,900. Looks like another used car lot with a lot of sales pitch.

"In March 1931, a new three window four door sedan was introduced, the “Slant Windshield" four door. Built by Murray, they represent the top of the line in model A design. The rear quarter windows can now be open for ventilation. The custom Murray was a good looker with pop open windshield and custom door handle trim. This car is all genuine Ford steel and enjoyed a restoration 12 years ago. It still shows well, looks and drives wonderful. The Wedgwood green with black and wide whites contrast beautifully. The engine was rebuilt for unleaded fuel. This car has good chrome, paint, and lebonny interior. The custom Murray type 160B is a great addition to any collection, loaded with all options including a trunk. Complete video of this vehicle available for $50, refunded with vehicle purchase, and includes overnight shipping of video. "


http://www.volocars.com/1931-ford-model-a-murray-town-sedan-type-160b-c-3492.htm

[bogiediver]

Yep - that's the one...

Local to me and advertised as a 160B - that's what got my attention... too good to be true - and it was...

[Arlen]

Just remember in your search that on the slant windows, your not really going to notice a difference between the Briggs and Murray's. also, the slant sedans lost a lot of the fancy features you would have found in the straight window town sedans such as the rear quarter window curtains and folding center arm rest. The depression was getting worse and ford began cutting cost. If you find another, let us take a look.

[Chris in WNC]

Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras

. As noted, the interior is entirely incorrect for any model.

whitewall tires also incorrect for any model :-)

[bogiediver]

Originally Posted by Arlen

... not really going to notice a difference between the Briggs and Murray's.

Does that include the straight versus radius doors/windows?

Originally Posted by Arlen

... slant sedans lost [the] folding center arm rest.

OK - that explains it... I knew I had seen the center arm rests, but apparently in earlier models.

Thanks - these are just the type of idiosyncrasies I'm trying to learn.

Originally Posted by Chris in WNC

whitewall tires also incorrect for any model :-)

I don't really like the look of WWs either - but that would not be a show stopper if the price/location of the car is right... new tires are relatively inexpensive - emphasis on relatively, 'cause they sure ain't cheap

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by bogiediver

Does that include the straight versus radius doors/windows?

That only applies to straight windshield models. As previously noted, the S/W body parts were interchangeable regardless of who built the bodies. They all had the same arched windows

[bogiediver]

Marco-

Thanks - and the learning continues...

[Terry, NJ]

Gee I thought it was the 155 with a B for Briggs, C for Murray (1930). I don't know anything about these model designations, but I've been working under this illusion until now.
Terry

Originally Posted by Charles Coe

I thought 160A was the SW Standard Fordor, 160B the SW Town Sedan, and 160C the SW DeLuxe Fordor.

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by Terry, NJ

Gee I thought it was the 155 with a B for Briggs, C for Murray (1930). I don't know anything about these model designations, but I've been working under this illusion until now.
Terry

Straight windshield Town Sedans:

155-A - '29 Murray
155-B - '29 Briggs

155-C - '30-early '31 Murray
155-D - '30-early '31 Briggs

Straight windshield Standard (3-window) Fordors:

165-A - '29 Murray
165-B - '29 Briggs

165-C - '30-early '31 Murray
165-D - '30-early '31 Briggs

The 160 series were the "new" slant windshield models.

[1930artdeco]

The 1930 Briggs TS was a 155D model.

Sorry Marco beat me to the click.

Mike

[Terry, NJ]

Marco and Art D. Thanks for clearing that up for me. I missed the part about the windshield.
Terry