Question about non ford built bodies

[allegiant120]

Hello all, just a quick question. I have the opportunity to purchase a nice 1931 chassis with a diamond block. I would like to build this into some sort of car as i finish up my 30 model sedan, im young and it will be along time before i can afford another bodied car. Speedsters are not my thing so I would want to have something that looks fairly period. We're A models still being sold like the T where one could buy a chassis and have a wooden body built? I really like the open cab pickups, I thought it seemed fairly simple to start with a cowl and windshield and go from there. Just curious as to what was really being built in the 30s. I've attached a photo of the truck I really like. Thanks

[mcgarrett]

Martin Parry Body Company made truck bodies for Ford during the Model T era and for the Model A in 1928 and 1929 before they were bought out by Chevrolet. There were many other truck body upfitters making bodies for Ford trucks over the years. Check out this link for ideas about the style of truck you're wanting to build...
https://www.martin-parry.com/

Also, check out this site for a list of truck body builders from days gone by...
http://www.coachbuilt.com/com/index.htm

[Bob Bidonde]

The answer to your question is yes. Ford sold Model "A" & "AA" rolling chassis for custom body applications.

[rotorwrench]

The cowl on the 1928 and 1929 cars as in the AA chassis photo above in post #3, is removable from the door and windshield posts known as the A-pillars. I call it the boot cowl with gas tank when there is no A-pillars for door mounting. Ford sold them this way to a number of bus body manufacturers as well as fire truck manufacturers. The passenger car chassis was likely available this way but I've not seen too many smaller custom bodied Ford products.

If you want a wind shield and use of A-pillars with door hinges & solid windshield posts then the Coupe & Tudor A-pillar and windshield would work for you. If you want an open car the you can purchase the open car type short A-pillars with the dash rail and windshield posts of a roadster, open cab pickup, or a touring car since they all shared the same cowl. On the later 1930/31 cars its about the same thing but the cowl is different as well as the A-pillars & gas tanks.

A person can purchase a speedster body kit but it can get almost as expensive as purchasing a body. Speedsters can be made from parts and pieces of the original model As and adding custom fabricated items as a builders imagination can dream up. If you can't use steel then fiberglass or wood is an option. The sky is the limit on custom stuff if a person knows what they want to end up with.

[ronn]

period would be something like a huckster. there are many variations if you google it.

[Brad in Germany]

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Yes, especially in Europe. Here for example is a truck load of fresh 1930 Ford Model A chassis being picked up at the Ford factory in Berlin, Germany by the Kühn custom coach builders in Germany. They will be most likely fitted with custom taxi bodies.



Brad in Maryland

[nkaminar]

Here is a not Ford body. I would like to build something like this.

[allegiant120]

Thanks guys this is exactly what I was looking for. Now to get a cowl!

[aermotor]

Make sure the gas tank is solid or you may have to go a tank behind the seat and an electric fuel pump. The picture in your OP looks like a peach orchard truck common here in the south peach areas back in the days.

[allegiant120]

I actually found a drive off cowl today that would be correct for this build I do believe.