Quick intro and question regarding serial number and model year

[Zax40]

Hi, my name is Zachary. Been on the Ford Barn for a while. I have a 1940 Deluxe Tudor Sedan and a 1953 Customline Tudor sedan.

I just picked up a Model A Roadster project. The previous owner got it around 80% finished and decided to sell it. He told me it was a 1929 chassis and motor with a 1930 tub. I ran the serial (*30425X*) and it came back with a build date of August 1928.

Would a build date of August 1928 really be considered a 1929 model? Or should I register it as a 1928 when I finish getting it finished and road worthy.



** (The X in the serial is to obscure the actual serial)

[daveymc29]

*30425X* doesn't look right to me, unless the X is reall a number that you couldn't read? Since the engines and such sat around a while before being assembled into a car, perhaps it could be a 28, but then I'm no authority either, but if I had a 30 body on the build, I would register it as a 1930.

[Zax40]

The X represents a real number.

Georgia is pretty lenient on registering vintage vehicles. But they do have a state trooper inspect it. It looks like a 30 to someone who is familiar with Model As. But it's highly doubtful the trooper will be. If he somehow has the capability to run the serial number and it comes back as 1928 it may complicate things. But it may very well have been built in August of 28 and sold as a 29 model.

[burner31]

Back when, engines were changed on Model A's like some people change their morals today, often and without thought.

[Bob C]

I would check the frame number and go with that. If it has a 1928-29 front cross member then your going to have problems lining up the 1930-31 radiator hood and cowl.

[Smokedtires]

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Zax where did you run your numbers to decode? I've been searching for a location to decode mine.

[Chuck Dempsey]

Welcome to the 'Barn, and good luck with your project.

[Fhane]

What does the title say and does that match the engine number?

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by Smokedtires

Zax where did you run your numbers to decode? I've been searching for a location to decode mine.

Here's a couple of lists.

https://www.mafca.com/data_eng_production.html


http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/ABenginenumbers.htm

[A Model A]

Anytime someone is trying to determine the date of a vehicle you should use the totality of the parts on your car to determine the year.

To find out more about what an engine number means check out this video; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv7JNE9bQ0k

[nkaminar]

Go with the frame number, stamped on the port side (left side, driver's side) near where the left door would be. Take a photo of it to show the trooper. Make sure it matches the VIN on the title. If the VIN on the title does not match the frame number then you have problems.

As far as putting a 30-31 body on a 28-29 frame you may have other problems.

[mhsprecher]

Sounds to me like he does not have a title for it.

[Zax40]

No titles for vintage vehicles in GA for vehicles 1962 and earlier.

I thought the engine serial was considered the main serial on Model As. The link Bob C shared to the Ford Garage serial number info page even states that.

The body is already mounted on the frame. Is there a way I can get to the frame serial stamping without completely removing the body tub?

[WHN]

You’ve really got a car made up of many other cars.

Does it matter if it’s registered as a 28 or 29? From a value point of view, it’s going to be a bastard. Not that it will not look nice and drive great, but it will never be a restored original numbers matching car.

I would think your worry should be getting it rebuilt and than registered.

Good luck.

[1930artdeco]

Welcome and pics would help quite a bit.

Mike

[rotorwrench]

I have a 1929 Ford that has a motor in the 1931 range but it had no stars or A prefix in the stamping. The frame number under the left side cowl matches the title and is of mid 1929 origin. You never know what you will find on these old cars. I've since been into the motor and found that it has an early crankshaft in it so the engine was likely stamped by a shade tree mechanic anyway.

Ford's change over for year models pretty much started in late November of the previous model year in the model A era. If completed in late December then it's generally a new year model. Engines were stamped after they completed the run in process on the big electric motors. The engine number was stamped on the frame after it was dropped in and bolted up. Engines were put into special shipping racks and shipped by rail to the many assembly plants so there can be delays on some of these cars for completion. In 1927, 28, and 29, it's hard to tell on numbers close to the new model year but in 1930 it's not so hard to tell a difference due to the body changes beginning in that model year. A lot depends on where it was assembled.

As was mentioned, there are some subtle differences in the frames over the 4-year run. A person has to look for these characteristics. The front and center cross members had some differences due to running changes. The original steering gearbox & column assemblies had differences too. A person just has to know where to look.

You will have to unbolt the body and lift it but the running board apron on that side will also have to be removed. Some electrical connections, carb connections, Floor boards, and the steering column clamp would have to be disconnected or removed to lift the body and have a look. There is no other way.

[Smokedtires]

Thank you Bob C

[CHuDWah]

Originally Posted by Zax40

The X represents a real number.

Georgia is pretty lenient on registering vintage vehicles. But they do have a state trooper inspect it. It looks like a 30 to someone who is familiar with Model As. But it's highly doubtful the trooper will be. If he somehow has the capability to run the serial number and it comes back as 1928 it may complicate things. But it may very well have been built in August of 28 and sold as a 29 model.

The Model "A" Instruction Book (i.e., the owner's manual originally supplied with the car) says, "The engine number is also the serial number of the car." If that number translates to 1928, it seems to me that makes the car a 1928, at least for registration purposes. Arm yourself with the instruction book (original or reprint) and a list of engine numbers/dates. That may satisfy the trooper enough to bless it. But 30-31 bodies are obviously different from 28-29. If he/she is familiar with Model A, you may have a problem getting it registered. Whatever, get the paperwork legal before investing much time, effort and money in finishing the car.

[rotorwrench]

The date Ford recorded was the day the engine passed the run in test not the day the frame was stamped. A December motor could be completed in a car in January of the next year. A person has to go by characteristics when the engine build date is close to the new year.

[Zax40]

Originally Posted by CHuDWah

The Model "A" Instruction Book (i.e., the owner's manual originally supplied with the car) says, "The engine number is also the serial number of the car." If that number translates to 1928, it seems to me that makes the car a 1928, at least for registration purposes. Arm yourself with the instruction book (original or reprint) and a list of engine numbers/dates. That may satisfy the trooper enough to bless it. But 30-31 bodies are obviously different from 28-29. If he/she is familiar with Model A, you may have a problem getting it registered. Whatever, get the paperwork legal before investing much time, effort and money in finishing the car.

This is pretty much my plan. I have to get lights installed and working before I have it inspected. I don't really expect any issues. I have been though this process a couple times before. But all the previous vehicles had the VIN or serial clearly shown on the body somewhere. I don't really care what year the registration shows. Just trying to keep the inspector from having anything to question.