The Ford Barn

Brad in Germany · 08-20-2010, 03:39 PM

Any bus experts out there who can confirm for me if the bus in this photo is on a Model AA chassis?

If so, what year (30 or 31)? Any other info?

The photo is of a bus that was used in Lourdes, France to haul pilgrims to the holy shrine.

Fordially,
Brad in Germany

raprice · 08-20-2010, 03:50 PM

Probably not. Just looking at the fenders and hood, it doesn't look like a Ford to me.
Rog

Brad in Germany · 08-20-2010, 03:58 PM

Here is another photo of a similar bus. Note the extension on the gas tank filler.

Ford wheels?
Ford hood?
Ford radiator shell?
Ford lights (but shifted forwards due to the custom fenders)?

Fordially,
Brad in Germany

2manycars · 08-20-2010, 05:16 PM

Those are early Budd wheels, with the small hole that ford used up to about 35 or 36, when ford went to full floating rear axels. Note the protrusion in the center of the rear wheel, which is where the axel nut goes on, like a model A car. Also note the headlamps and radiator shell, and hood, which are all model A. I would say it is a 30 or 31 Ford, or possibly later with left over model A parts. The Budd wheels were first used by Ford in 1930. Nice custom body and fenders.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 08-20-2010, 05:19 PM

The one other thing that kinda messes with your eyes is that it appears the front axle is out in front of the radiator a tad.

dlshady · 08-20-2010, 06:39 PM

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Kinda looks like maybe some re-worked rear fenders on the front too, or is it just me?

Deron

rollingsculpture · 08-20-2010, 07:07 PM

those bud wheels with the reinforced rim came out in april 1931 svs bullitin pg 552

Roadster62 · 08-20-2010, 08:28 PM

Great coachwork, the fenders look a lot like Type 40-43 Bugatti style. There is a lot of work in those double flaired rear fenders. Thank you for posting the photo, looks like a 30-31 Ford chassis to me.

Doug in Maryland · 08-21-2010, 06:40 AM

I'd have to agree with rollingsculpture. Those wheels are 1931 or later Budds - the reinforcing ring around the center is the tell. The other thing to look at is the angle of the notch in the snap ring. After May of 1930, the angle of the notch was changed to be less than 90 degrees. Doing so helped keep the tire iron from slipping out when you tried to remove the ring. The hub caps also look to be Ford AA caps

I'd have to say that it does look like an AA chassis (131 inch), but it's difficult to tell for sure.

Doug

Special Coupe Frank · 08-21-2010, 09:12 AM

The coachwork ( bus body, cowl, front fenders ) looks "European"...

The wheels, hub covers, hood ( sides at least ), radiator and wheel-base (131" ?) look like AA Ford to me.

08-20-2010, 03:39 PM	#1
Brad in Germany Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Potomac, Maryland Posts: 911	Is this a Model AA bus (Ford chassis?) (see photo) Any bus experts out there who can confirm for me if the bus in this photo is on a Model AA chassis? If so, what year (30 or 31)? Any other info? The photo is of a bus that was used in Lourdes, France to haul pilgrims to the holy shrine. Fordially, Brad in Germany

08-20-2010, 03:50 PM	#2
raprice Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Elwood, NY Posts: 299	Re: Is this a Model AA bus (Ford chassis?) (see photo) Probably not. Just looking at the fenders and hood, it doesn't look like a Ford to me. Rog

08-20-2010, 03:58 PM	#3
Brad in Germany Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Potomac, Maryland Posts: 911	Re: Is this a Model AA bus (Ford chassis?) (see photo) Here is another photo of a similar bus. Note the extension on the gas tank filler. Ford wheels? Ford hood? Ford radiator shell? Ford lights (but shifted forwards due to the custom fenders)? Fordially, Brad in Germany

08-20-2010, 05:16 PM	#4
2manycars Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 2,732	Re: Is this a Model AA bus (Ford chassis?) (see photo) Those are early Budd wheels, with the small hole that ford used up to about 35 or 36, when ford went to full floating rear axels. Note the protrusion in the center of the rear wheel, which is where the axel nut goes on, like a model A car. Also note the headlamps and radiator shell, and hood, which are all model A. I would say it is a 30 or 31 Ford, or possibly later with left over model A parts. The Budd wheels were first used by Ford in 1930. Nice custom body and fenders.

08-20-2010, 05:19 PM	#5
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,513	Re: Is this a Model AA bus (Ford chassis?) (see photo) The one other thing that kinda messes with your eyes is that it appears the front axle is out in front of the radiator a tad. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

08-20-2010, 06:39 PM	#6
dlshady Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 538	Re: Is this a Model AA bus (Ford chassis?) (see photo) Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Kinda looks like maybe some re-worked rear fenders on the front too, or is it just me? Deron

08-20-2010, 07:07 PM	#7
rollingsculpture Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Takoma park md Posts: 271	Re: Is this a Model AA bus (Ford chassis?) (see photo) those bud wheels with the reinforced rim came out in april 1931 svs bullitin pg 552 __________________ Rust and roll will never die

08-20-2010, 08:28 PM	#8
Roadster62 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ridgefield, Ct Posts: 3,441	Re: Is this a Model AA bus (Ford chassis?) (see photo) Great coachwork, the fenders look a lot like Type 40-43 Bugatti style. There is a lot of work in those double flaired rear fenders. Thank you for posting the photo, looks like a 30-31 Ford chassis to me.

08-21-2010, 06:40 AM	#9
Doug in Maryland Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 100	Re: Is this a Model AA bus (Ford chassis?) (see photo) I'd have to agree with rollingsculpture. Those wheels are 1931 or later Budds - the reinforcing ring around the center is the tell. The other thing to look at is the angle of the notch in the snap ring. After May of 1930, the angle of the notch was changed to be less than 90 degrees. Doing so helped keep the tire iron from slipping out when you tried to remove the ring. The hub caps also look to be Ford AA caps I'd have to say that it does look like an AA chassis (131 inch), but it's difficult to tell for sure. Doug

08-21-2010, 09:12 AM	#10
Special Coupe Frank Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Penna Posts: 2,108	Re: Is this a Model AA bus (Ford chassis?) (see photo) The coachwork ( bus body, cowl, front fenders ) looks "European"... The wheels, hub covers, hood ( sides at least ), radiator and wheel-base (131" ?) look like AA Ford to me.