What means the quail?

[Werner]

I always notice that the quail (Wachtel) is mentioned. Does this egg-laying little bird have a special historical significance in USA or on FORD?

[Purdy Swoft]

The quail was to symbolize the sound and the speed of the quail as it took of into flight .

[larrys40]

There was a n excellent article a couple years ago I believe in the restorer magazine that said ford had tasked Standt to come up with a mascot ornament for the A. The quail was the result. I suggest to find he article as it was very interesting.
They are of course still in business today.
Larry shepard

[updraught]

Slow moving pedestrians can be identified by the sheer number of quail embossings.

[Tudortomnz]

The definitive article on Stant was in March/April 1973 of Ford Life.
Henry Ford actually suggested the quail to symbolise " ä quick getaway". The Model A was promoted as having outstanding acceleration for the era.
Ford said "A quail flushes just like a firecracker going off".
Cheers. Tom.

[Brad in Germany]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

...from the German Ford Service Bulletin:



Brad in Maryland

[JtownJoe]

Anyone out there that can translate that into English?

[DHZIEMAN]

Originally Posted by JtownJoe

Anyone out there that can translate that into English?

There is a program "Yandex" that converts wording in a photo, any language to any language! I have done the deed and here is the translation..................(Werner can probably do better than this program but.........)


Radiator cap with quail
A-18 385-B.
Introduce the quail to your customers,
by placing them on the car of the customer himself
attach. This is the best way to convince you
to what extent the appearance of the car
this tasteful cooler cap is lifted.
The flying quail, the Symbol of the
quick start. This radiator fitting
it is of extraordinary beauty.

[Werner]

Thank you for the many detailed answers. What I would like to know is whether the bird quail in USA has a special meaning? H. Ford could have chosen another fast bird, Dove, Swallow, Gull.

[Werner]

Joe, I try it:


"Show the quail-figure to your customers by mounting them on the customer's car. This is the best way to convince the customers of the extent to which the look of the car is enhanced by this stylish fine radiator cap.

The up-flying quail is the symbol for fast starting. This radiator cap is extraordinary beauty."

[37 Coupe]

I think it had something to do with Henry Ford's roots as a country boy growing up in the Michigan area. I thought I have read where he also considered the cottontail rabbit.Both are simple non exotic as is the Model A and quick on the takeoff. I think if what I have read about Henry choosing the quail is true it is one of the best decisions he had made. I remember myself rabbit hunting on our country property and occasionally kicking up a quail what a start it would give you,now today I have not seen a bobwhite quail in years.

[katy]

Henry Ford can be credited with selecting the quail as the Model A mascot. He told Irving Bacon, who worked for him. He wanted something that would depict a quick getaway the way he was advertising his cars. Bacon suggested a rabbit but Ford wanted something better than that. He suggested that a quail flushes out of the brush just like a firecracker going off. He thought a quail would be just right. So a quail it was, designed with wings down as though it was just starting to fly off.

Borrowed from: http://www.picture-worl.org/automobi...iator-cap.html
__________________

[Badpuppy]

Everyone in rural USA was quite familiar with the quail. It was and is a very recognizable symbol.

[Purdy Swoft]

While the quail radiator cap is considered to be a pretty symbol . I would always prefer the simple original radiator cap . I have never cared for fancy do dads and visible addons . I prefer hidden performance mods .

[marty in Ohio]

Purdy,
What about a round motometer? How do you feel about that?
Marty

[Synchro909]

I've heard the explanation about the Quail being chosen because it represented quick acceleration but I've also heard that the exhaust sound of a Model A was similar to the sound made by a Quail's wings.
Made sense to me!

[Purdy Swoft]

Originally Posted by marty in Ohio

Purdy,
What about a round motometer? How do you feel about that?
Marty

Marty , either the quail or the round motormeter would be fine , it would be a mater of choice. The motormeter would probably be easier to read from the drivers seat . I prefer to use the repro inside temperature gauge .I had problems with leaks around where the quail connected to the radiator when I accelerated . I finally replaced the gasket and sealed it with silicone sealer and solved the problem . I mostly prefer the plain jane look for our model A's . I did put white wall tires on our 31 tudor .

[moasew]

Have any of you seen this ornament that my Dad placed on the radiator of the 1929 Cabriolet that he restored in 1966. This car originally was purchased new by a gentleman on the assembly line so maybe had an inside track to other suggested ornaments.
The attached has a head that flips forward to allow the rest of the body of the bird to flip rearward to fill the radiator.

[alexiskai]

I know they made one similar to that for Model Ts – a bird with a hole for the motometer, and the head is a flip latch. Different design but same idea.

[johnneilson]

Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft

The quail was to symbolize the sound and the speed of the quail as it took of into flight .

We have covey's of Quail around here, they sound like helicopters beating the air into submission as they take off.....

J

[nkaminar]

Not very filling but tasty. Takes a few to make a meal. Important to pick out the buckshot.

[Gary WA]

Quail story

[KenBolton]

Those who have not experienced the sound of Qual flushing can never understand.

[rotorwrench]

Henry came up with a few symbolic accessories for his cars even though Ford didn't make them. The quail came before the greyhound but the greyhound lasted longer in the V8 era.

Quail and the larger pheasant are from the same family of ground nesting birds that are common to North America in the form that Henry knew. There are other species of the same family all over the world but there are a lot of differences depending on location. Hunting them is still a seasonal activity for those that love to hunt game birds. Ground nesting birds don't fly much farther than they have to to survive but they get there pretty fast. Even the wild turkey, still active in this part of the world, flies very fast for a speedy getaway from predators.

[1crosscut]

Originally Posted by KenBolton

Those who have not experienced the sound of Qual flushing can never understand.

When I was a kid I was riding a horse after dark in a harvested milo field. Had a covey of at least 20 quail flush directly under my horse. Quail came out from under the horse in all directions. Managed to stay on the horse but it was an exciting few seconds.

[frank55a]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Attached is a Ford engineering drawing of the Quail Cap from my collection of Ford engineering drawings.

[Big hammer]

Originally Posted by KenBolton

Those who have not experienced the sound of Qual flushing can never understand.

Sounds just like a herd of model A’s leaving work at quitting time!

[updraught]

Would have been a more exiting story if Henry had used his mistress as a model for the mascot.

[Brad in Germany]

From "Ford News":



Brad in Maryland

[jrelliott]

Had a hard time learning to shoot with both feet off the ground when a covey of Bob white quail took off. Got so excited one day pulled both triggers at the same time and did not have the gun seated snuggly. What a bruised shoulder. I really like the flying quail radiator cap. Ge a lot of comments about it. People really surprised about the thermometer in the cap.

[mercman from oz]

The Ford Model A Quail