31 vs 32 Model A

[Redbird]

Many moons ago I saw my first stock 32 at the Henry Ford Museum. Sitting side by side are there any significant differences?

[Patrick L.]

yes

[bart78]

Tons of them.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

StRting with the wheelbase length differences, followed by structural differences between the frames, followed by many other details.

[frank mcdaniels]

Yea, about 30,000 dollars. Frank

[jkcrosson]

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So there are that much difference in Model As made in late 31 and early 32??? I realize there are huge differences between 31 and 32 but I think the OP was referring to Model As still being made in early 32. I could have misread his title.

[bart78]

Even then there are still a ton of differences. Two choices of engines. Two choices of coupe bodies. The frame is different. Wishbones and all that are different to make room for the V8. You could even list the changes made to the banger. There is quite a bit different.

[34pickup]

The question is... is there anything just alike between the two? Not much if any.

[Charlie Stephens]

When Ford went from the '28-'29 body style to the '30-'31 body style the lines lines got smoother. This happened again between '30-'31 and the '32. I can't think of any sheet metal parts that carried over and most of the mechanical parts were new in '32.

Charlie Stephens

[Tacoma Bob]

Just my two-bits. If you look at a 28-29 you can see they are cousins of the 27 model "T"s. In fact same pick up bed on the trucks for a short period. Thennnn Take a look at the 31 slant window sedans. Very robust with the sheet metal and a little larger interior space. You could tell this would evolve into the lines that eventually became the "Deuce".

[Bruce Lancaster]

They are just about the same, actually...the wheel bearings were entirely unchanged, it was just the rest of the bits they altered in '32.

But...if this is actually a question about post-1931 produced Model A's and AA's, that would be really interesting.

[DougVieyra]

I am not sure of what it is you are asking. Your post "Head line" asks about the '31 vs. '32 Model A. So are you asking about the Model A's built in 1932 ?

Are you asking if there is any significant differences between a Ford Model A built in December 31, 1931 and a Ford Model A built in March 1st, 1932. The Model A production run ran from October 1927 thru March of 1932. So some Model A's (1931 models) were built in the first couple of months in 1932. Are you asking what the difference is between the Dec. '31 Model A and the Feb. '32 Model A ?

Or are you asking if there was a significant difference between the late 1931 Model A and the new Ford car for 1932 - the restyled body/chassis, Model B (improved 4 cylinder); or the Model 18 (the new V-8) ?

The December '31 Model A and the February 1932 Model A (recognized as a 1931 model) were/are the same. Whereas the 1931 Model A and the new model B / 18 were significantly different in a great many ways.

- Doug Vieyra

[jkcrosson]

Originally Posted by DougVieyra

I am not sure of what it is you are asking. Your post "Head line" asks about the '31 vs. '32 Model A. So are you asking about the Model A's built in 1932 ?

Are you asking if there is any significant differences between a Ford Model A built in December 31, 1931 and a Ford Model A built in March 1st, 1932. The Model A production run ran from October 1927 thru March of 1932. So some Model A's (1931 models) were built in the first couple of months in 1932. Are you asking what the difference is between the Dec. '31 Model A and the Feb. '32 Model A ?

Or are you asking if there was a significant difference between the late 1931 Model A and the new Ford car for 1932 - the restyled body/chassis, Model B (improved 4 cylinder); or the Model 18 (the new V-8) ?




The December '31 Model A and the February 1932 Model A (recognized as a 1931 model) were/are the same. Whereas the 1931 Model A and the new model B / 18 were significantly different in a great many ways.

- Doug Vieyra

Thanks Doug. I think you said it better than me. I thought he was asking differences in model as made in early 1932.

[gwhite]

Originally Posted by Tacoma Bob

Just my two-bits. If you look at a 28-29 you can see they are cousins of the 27 model "T"s.

Absolutely not true. There is also a myth that the A frame was designed to fit the T body (in case Ford wasn't able to complete the job) but this too is a myth. The 1928 Ford was a brand-new car (pretty much from the ground up).

Originally Posted by Tacoma Bob

In fact same pick up bed on the trucks for a short period.

Beds are quite different; early 26 T beds have the front stake pocket at the front corner, mid-1926-27 beds have them set back about 10". Model A beds have a different flange on the bottom of the bedside, lack a provision for the battery box in the front header, and do not have a reveal for the wheel well (Model A's use a flange for fender mounting). Tailgate hinges are also slightly different.

[Redbird]

I was just asking about the exterior differences. If you see a 31 and a 32 deluxe coupe coming at you down the road and are not an A owner, are there major differences? I have never seen them side by side.

[Bob C]

Still not sure if you are asking about a Model A built in early 32
or the new 32 ( as in Model B, or V8). Here are a couple pictures
of 1932 Fords.

Bob

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Redbird

I was just asking about the exterior differences. If you see a 31 and a 32 deluxe coupe coming at you down the road and are not an A owner, are there major differences? I have never seen them side by side.

There were 14 body styles of the 1932 ford.

[DougVieyra]

RedBird: ". . . If you see a 31 and a 32 deluxe coupe coming at you down the road and are not an A owner, are there major differences?"
__________________________________________________ ________

In that context (not an A owner) RedBird, I would say that they are very similar (Model A vs. Model 18). The main, most notable difference would be the Radiator Shell; then would be the '32 wheels with big hub caps, covering the lugnuts. Otherwise the NEW 1932 Ford Model 18 (& B) would, at a quick glance by an uninformed novice, be pretty much the same as some of the late '31 Model A's - slant windshield, no outside visor.

Of course, it gets a bit muddy once you see a Model A with the later V-8 wheels.

- Doug Vieyra

[Mike V. Florida]

Let's see if I remember this correctly,

In 1932 there were 4 models available at different times throughout the year, Model A, Model B, Model 18,

The A as mentioned above until the end of March 1932.
The B Four cylinder throughout the year and into 1934.
The model 18 V8 March of 1932 until 1934.

Feel free to correct me if I have this wrong.

[DougVieyra]

I count 3, not 4, different models for 1932. The Model 18 designation is specific to the 1932 year.

Due to nagging difficulties in both engine development and production, the V-8 did not make it to the market place until mid-to-late spring of 1932. (and it was a horrible engine, with many 'bugs' to be worked out).

The 1933 & '34 was a Model 40.

A great many old timers referred to the 4 cylinder '33 & '34 engines as a Model C; although in some more formal circles it is sometimes referred to as a Model B. Very few '33 & '34 cars had a 4-cylinder, with most of the numbers being represented by pick-up trucks. The Model C designation helps distinguish the '33 & '34 from the much more familiar 1932 Model B.

- Doug Vieyra

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by DougVieyra

I count 3, not 4, different models for 1932. The Model 18 designation is specific to the 1932 year.

Due to nagging difficulties in both engine development and production, the V-8 did not make it to the market place until mid-to-late spring of 1932.

The 1933 & '34 was a Model 40.

Yes, 3 it was a typo.

[Redbird]

Thank you for the differences.

John

[Bob Bidonde]

Model As assembled in 1932 were assembled from Model A production parts, so there is no difference.

[todd3131]

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

Model As assembled in 1932 were assembled from Model A production parts, so there is no difference.

Ah finally the answer to the original post. I have both a 31 and a 32v8 roadsters and there is very little interchangeable between the two I have always wondered about model a built in early 32