The Ford Barn

Jackw · 05-18-2011, 07:16 AM

What are the differences between a 5 window standard coupe and a 5 window special coupe.

wrndln · 05-18-2011, 07:47 AM

I have a 28 special coupe and it is very similar to a 29 special coupe. The special coupe has the top material all the way down to the beltrail, verses just the very top flat part of a std coupe. 29 special coupes were manufactured from the beginning of 29 to the middle of 29 when std coupe production started.

Steve Ciccalone · 05-18-2011, 08:00 AM

Rusty, to slightly expand on your response, the standard coupe (steelback if you will) was produced from the start of production until 5/28 when the special coupe with the padded top was introduced and made until being replaced again by the standard coupe. I always thought this seemed like such an oddity and I don't believe I've heard an explantion of why Ford built the '28/29 coupes in this progression

wrndln · 05-18-2011, 08:15 AM

Steve,
I agree with you about be a little strange. After installing the roof on my special coupe, I for the love of Pete, can't understand how on a production line the workers could install the top on a special coupe in a reasonable time. Granted, I only installed one top and for the first time, but the work required was enormous (not a bad a a fordor) but still way more than a std coupe would be. First the wood framework had to be installed (not easy in my case), next came the 5 sheetmetal roof pieces on the back part, then the padding/top material (very tough on the rounded corners without puckers) and lastly the trim all around the top. I suppose the workers became very experienced, but it still amazes me how they could have done it on a moving assembly line.
Rusty Nelson

1931 flamingo · 05-18-2011, 06:32 PM

Were not the bodies "assembled" seperatey and then mounted on the moving assembly line??
Paul in CT

Tudortomnz · 05-19-2011, 02:11 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Someone once posted that perhaps there was some production problems to stamp the metal tops of the standard coupe, therefore the woodframe/ fabric 'special coupe' went into production. Or to save money, but being a high volume model, use of wood & fabric[ as used on low production models] would not have been so easy or economical. It would be interesting to really know.
The bodies did arrive at the assembly line finished to be mounted on chassis.

05-18-2011, 07:16 AM	#1
Jackw Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 49	29 coupe What are the differences between a 5 window standard coupe and a 5 window special coupe.

05-18-2011, 07:47 AM	#2
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,165	Re: 29 coupe I have a 28 special coupe and it is very similar to a 29 special coupe. The special coupe has the top material all the way down to the beltrail, verses just the very top flat part of a std coupe. 29 special coupes were manufactured from the beginning of 29 to the middle of 29 when std coupe production started.

05-18-2011, 08:00 AM	#3
Steve Ciccalone Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: "Live Free or Die!" Posts: 510	Re: 29 coupe Rusty, to slightly expand on your response, the standard coupe (steelback if you will) was produced from the start of production until 5/28 when the special coupe with the padded top was introduced and made until being replaced again by the standard coupe. I always thought this seemed like such an oddity and I don't believe I've heard an explantion of why Ford built the '28/29 coupes in this progression __________________ "A wet bird doesn't fly at night."

05-18-2011, 08:15 AM	#4
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,165	Re: 29 coupe Steve, I agree with you about be a little strange. After installing the roof on my special coupe, I for the love of Pete, can't understand how on a production line the workers could install the top on a special coupe in a reasonable time. Granted, I only installed one top and for the first time, but the work required was enormous (not a bad a a fordor) but still way more than a std coupe would be. First the wood framework had to be installed (not easy in my case), next came the 5 sheetmetal roof pieces on the back part, then the padding/top material (very tough on the rounded corners without puckers) and lastly the trim all around the top. I suppose the workers became very experienced, but it still amazes me how they could have done it on a moving assembly line. Rusty Nelson

05-18-2011, 06:32 PM	#5
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: 29 coupe Were not the bodies "assembled" seperatey and then mounted on the moving assembly line?? Paul in CT

05-19-2011, 02:11 AM	#6
Tudortomnz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canterbury, New Zealand Posts: 1,242	Re: 29 coupe Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Someone once posted that perhaps there was some production problems to stamp the metal tops of the standard coupe, therefore the woodframe/ fabric 'special coupe' went into production. Or to save money, but being a high volume model, use of wood & fabric[ as used on low production models] would not have been so easy or economical. It would be interesting to really know. The bodies did arrive at the assembly line finished to be mounted on chassis.