If you had a question for Henry Ford about the Model A...

[700rpm]

Originally Posted by Rowdy

Why so much brown used in the interiors? Brown is not a color I like. Having a hard time convincing myself to do the interior in the original colors. Black and grey I can handle, but not correct for the 29 Deluxe Delivery. Rod

I agree, Rod. My Tudor was (and is) Andalusite blue, and is supposed to have brown check in it (and did, when I got it. Original, and a few scraps of it left). I just couldn't see that combo. I put in a gray interior.

[Rex_A_Lott]

Originally Posted by Rowdy

Why so much brown used in the interiors? Brown is not a color I like. Having a hard time convincing myself to do the interior in the original colors. Black and grey I can handle, but not correct for the 29 Deluxe Delivery. Rod

Just a guess, but as a matter of every day practicality, it showed dust/dirt less than some others...and more than likely cheaper to produce in mass quantities, because it was "neutral" it was used to match a lot of colors.
Even today, a lot of "high-dollar" cars like BMW use a lot of tan and grey interiors. But I agree with you...brown aint my favorite.

[tbirdtbird]

seriously why not more room for wrenches such as the clamshell halves on the back of the tranny? would have made production easier, too (and other places)

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by tbirdtbird

seriously why not more room for wrenches such as the clamshell halves on the back of the tranny? would have made production easier, too (and other places)

oh yea forgot about some of them spots.. also whats with the obsession of castle nuts and cotter pins. Some parts i can see where you do not want them turning at all but theres some non critical things that just make you go why...places where a standard lockwasher would do just fine.

[Rowdy]

Compared to some of the things I fix at work the Model A has plenty of room for wrenches. Rod

[Rickybop]

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What the heck does the number of "teets on a cow" have to do with how many cylinders an engine has?

[gweilbaker]

Why did you change to positive ground after the Model T?

[Rowdy]

For the time being I am going to make my seat covers out of some red artificial leather I picked up cheap several years ago. Planning on using grey for most of the interior panels. Lilely will use articicial leather for that also even though it is supposed to be mostly painted carboard. Evenually I will buy some black covers for the seat, but for now the red will have to work. Rod

[BrianBurkert]

Why didn't you use the larger Model B sized main and rod bearings four years sooner?

[FL&WVMIKE]

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

oh yea forgot about some of them spots.. also whats with the obsession of castle nuts and cotter pins. Some parts i can see where you do not want them turning at all but theres some non critical things that just make you go why...places where a standard lockwasher would do just fine.

SEA SLUGS ....................
The advantages of lock washers have been questioned by the car manufactors for years. They just do not use them in building cars today. There might be a few exceptions.
MIKE

[ericr]

Originally Posted by gweilbaker

Why did you change to positive ground after the Model T?

wasn't that to reduce corrosion on the terminal?

-Henry Ford

[BudP]

And, allegedly to reduce corrosion on the frame?

[mhsprecher]

I agree with Napa Skip. That was criminal. At the end of the day Henry, for all his brilliance, was insecure and very close-minded. It was his way or the highway. After the Model T, all of the innovation came from Edsel. Just as brilliant as Henry, I think, but with an exquisite sense of design.

[msmaron]

Sir..did you not see that the light at the end of the tunnel was with your ONLY SON....Why did you brow beat hims so bad to give him ulcers which lead to his un-timly death... He was such a great designer and has such great insight....look at your Model A Ford and your Lincoln....why did you do that to such a great man...Mr Ford!!

[dmaxweb]

Do you think Model A's will be around longer than Detroit?

[WTSHNN]

I'd ask him how he was ever able to build 4 million A's without the Judging Standards.

-Tim

[johnsor]

Henry, The frame is too light under the rear motor mounts. Also, a front of transmission casting change puting the bolts on the outside of the transmission would have allowed transmission removal without pulling the engine or rear end, just U joint. Maybe rear crossmember would be in the way, but other brands did it.

[robw]

Mr. Ford, what do you wish you had done?

[Mike V. Florida]

Lord Mr. Ford, I just wish that you could see
What your simple horseless carriage has become
Well it seems your contribution to man
To say the least, got a little out of hand
Well Lord Mr. Ford what have you done?

Come away with me Lucille
In my smoking, choking automobile.


Seriously, a lot of answers to questions here can be found if one looks back at the writings and interviews with the man. As far as the questions on the A, Ford wanted a car that the masses could afford. He wanted a reliable, inexpensive car that would roll off the assembly line using a set of standards that would give a good car to those that wanted one. If you wanted a car with more frills you bought a Lincoln. As the costs to manufacture the cars dropped so did the price to the public. (The 1925 T Roadster was the least expensive production car sold at $260)

Whitewalls cost more even then, to have specific cars with specific options was not in the plan for the A or T. Cut off switches, fuses and such were also items that would only add to the price. If wanted I can give specific quotes from the books I have on Ford but most of the questions I realize are tongue in cheek or digs on those that want to replicate the car as Ford wished it to roll off the assembly line.

[Allanw]

Originally Posted by WTSHNN

I'd ask him how he was ever able to build 4 million A's without the Judging Standards.

And then would he rather people personalised them, or left them all the same, just like everyone elses?