'28-'29 Deluxe Roadsters? Restore?

[southfork]

Out in the barn is an unrestored '28-'29 roadster which appears to be pretty much unmolested since it was first sold. I have had it inside for the last 33 years. I am recently retired and now have some time to either restore it, or go through the mechanicals and get it driveable. In looking closely at the roadster, I have noted some features which suggest that the Ford dealership which sold the car originally might have tried to spiff the car up as a 'deluxe' model even if Henry never made any deluxe roadsters in 1928 or 29. For example, the roadster has dual spares on the front fenders, and some kind of solid steel bracing coming out of the cowl to support the spare wheels or whatever. Also, on the right side of the dash (barely visible in the attached pic) is a fancy scripted 3-inch brass plate which says:

"Sold by Don Neher
Forson Ford Lincoln
2820 Broadway, Oakland California"

What do you expert Model A guys think? Did Ford dealerships typically upgrade some models to sell on the showroom floor as 'Deluxe' even though they might have left the factory as a plane Jane standard model? Maybe in a fancy dealership on the West Coast they did that, even though typically not.

What do you think the steel rods coming out of the cowl were intended to do?

Please give me your opinions as to whether this roadster should be restored to the way the dealership sold it originally. Sorry about the poor pic quality; it's pretty dark in the barn.
Thanks!

[southfork]

Huh, No pics? Maybe they are the wrong size to post here.

[Steve Plucker]

Southfork...

I do not know about the rods but if it has not been apart since it was first assembled, maybe we can determine just where the assembly plant it came from was and the year.

If the tag is the original tag from the dealer who sold it in 28 or 29, then more than likely it came out of the San Francisco Assembly Plant. To find the assembly plant code and number, look along the body sub-floor cross sill for which the front seat riser is riveted to. You should see, if it is a San Francisco Assembly, a group of letters of SFA and a series of numbers (sometimes they are not there).

Also, look see what the stamped gas tank date is. This is just above the steering column and above lip seperating the lower and upper firewall within the engine compartment. It is on the upper part near the corner (left side of the firewall). This feature went from about May 1928 through August 1929 (sometimes it is not there).

It would also be nice to know just what the engine frame number is as it is not known if in fact the engine in the car now is the original one that was dopped into the chassis when first assembled.

If the car does not have outside door handles, then it is a 1928...it it has ouside door handles, then it is a 1929...but here again, the dealer could of put them on.

Where is the tail light mounted? 1928-very early 1929 on the body rear cross sill, 1929 on the rear left fender. Are the running board brackets cast (1928-very early 1929) or pressed steel (1929).

Pluck

[glenn in camino]

Make it driveable and enjoy it. Unrestored cars on the road are a real oddity. You'll get more waves and attention than if it were a blue ribbon winner. I once had an unrestored 28 roadster that I drove to swapmeets. When I returned to my car there was always a note on the seat." Do you want to sell this car.... call 000-0000"

[LukeDahlinger]

Just a random thought- In an old copy of Ford Life Magazine there was a photo of a Model A Display in California from 28 or 29. It showed a Roadster all decked out with dual side mounts, colored wheels etc. You don't see many dual sidemount 28-29's that were not added by the restorer/modern day owner.

Wonder if this might be the same car? Sure it's a long shot, but stranger things have happened.

I'm too lazy to plunder in the closet and dig out my copies of Ford Life to find the photo, but I do remember seeing that picture.

[Tudortomnz]

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There was a 'Sport Rdstr' displayed new in Oct. '29 at San. Fran. Auto show, that had all 'the extras'. This may be the 'Ford Life' photo recalled by Luke.
Ford Canada also lists a Spt. Rdstr. from Aug. '29 with so many extras that we would call it a 'deluxe' today. Side mount[s], folding 'screen,trunk & rack,top boot,special colours etc. I have some photos, but too hard to put up on this.
Hope your car is one of these.

[Bob-A]

Heck yeah, a dealer good or would ad accessories to a Model-A. Depending on what was available or the customer wanted. I think I read once that Henry had no qualms about his dealers selling after market "accessories", that's add-ons not replacement parts for the up keep of the vehicle, that was a no-no. As far as the rod coming out of the cowl I would say it is for an accessory cowl light arm or such.

Bob-A

[1930artdeco]

Hi Southfork,

I can tell you for a fact that that dealer no longer exist in Oakland. As far as the 'extras' are concerened I can see a salesman going through his speel about how two spares are better than one....And the hole in the cowl sure looks like a cowl light hole to me. As long the body is is solid it sure would be nice to see her preserved and driven as is. I think you will get more compliments that way.

Mike

[LukeDahlinger]

Southfork-

Could you post some better photos? I notice your car has either cut or folding windshield stanchions. '28 & '29 Open cars did not have the folding windshield from the factory.

[southfork]

I appreciate the input thus far. Being in the barn all these years, the car is covered with dust and some odds and ends. I'll try to get better pics, but having a badly sprained ankle might delay that a bit.

I think when I browsed either through "Henry's Lady" or a Model A pictorial book by the 'Sorensen' guy a few years ago I saw a picture or two of a spiffed up new 28-29 Model A roadster parked in front of some mansion in California (palm trees around,etc). They had all the fancy assessories and a dressed up folding tops. I suspect that Ford dealerships sold quite a few early 'A' roadsters that were anything but standard.

I will try to check to see if the body has any indication of where it was made, and when assembled.

[southfork]

Also, regarding the steel rods coming out of the cowl side holes, they are of solid round stock (approx 3/8 inch or larger diameter) that someone has cut off. They are mounted to factory looking brackets on the inside of the firewall below the gas tank. By the length and strength of the rods, they wouldn't be Ford cowl light arms, but would have supported some kind of assessories.

[Yankee]

It should be restored to original options and colors. If it is restored for resale it may not bring as much as a 1930 or 1931, but will look impressive.

[chuckstinn]

Originally Posted by glenn in camino

Make it driveable and enjoy it. Unrestored cars on the road are a real oddity. You'll get more waves and attention than if it were a blue ribbon winner. I once had an unrestored 28 roadster that I drove to swapmeets. When I returned to my car there was always a note on the seat." Do you want to sell this car.... call 000-0000"

Glenn
I think have that '28 Roadster
Chuck

[Fred]

This is NOT the first time around for this car on F/B.. Same pictures !!..

[Chris Haynes]

You can restore it 100 times, but it is only original once. Fix what needs fixin' and enjoy it.

[mot]

Heres a picture of the sport roadster
Unlike the pictured car this one had very light fenders
It has the folding windshield,a chrome luggage rack sport light dual wheel wells in the fenders,cowl lights
see if you can determine the original color
tom