Why so many "Coupe" body styles?

[M2M]

There was a Coupe (Standard and Deluxe), Business Coupe and Sport Coupe. Why so many 2 seat closed body styles? What's the specific customer each one was aimed at? How are these body styles ranked in the hobby today in terms of desirability?

[George Miller]

How about the special coupe.
When I was growing up coupes or Roadster were the ones young people wanted. Four doors were a no no, Gram pa car. tudors maybe they would have been your Dads car.

[Purdy Swoft]

The special coupe was probably the best looking of all and has been said to have been Henrys favorite.

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft

The special coupe was probably the best looking of all and has been said to have been Henrys favorite.

What exactly was 'special' about it?

[John S]

A "leather" covered roof instead of steel, otherwise it's the same as a '28-9 standard coupe.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

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Actually, it was the Fad of the day. Coupes were popular with the typical Ford buyer, --especially with the new fad of fashionable drivers, ...Ladies. Ford was strongly pushing these cars in advertising to Businessmen and Ladies.

Think about this. Only about 5 years prior to the Model-A being introduced was a Ford closed car even accepted in the market place. Then during the Model-A era, very few people wanted an open car because they were cold during the winter and wet during rain storms. The tops also did not weather well. Therefore the time had come for a Coupe or Sedan. What better way to market something than to offer different styles for your different clientele (Traveling Salesmen who were wanting something basic and affordable, A Businessman who was looking for something with some Class, and Ladies who were wanting their independence by driving something Elegant.).

Also understand that during the Model-A era, the Model-A generally sold to a lower incomed family. In smaller towns, the Ford dealership network was likely better than Chevrolet or Dodge, but more families preferred to buy a Chevrolet during the Model-A era than those who bought Fords. It was just because it was a more advanced automobile with somewhat nicer upholstery fabric, a 6 cyl. engine, and more color options. Part of the other nonsense was Chevrolet was priced very closely to a Ford, thus Henry advertised his was cheaper but when you factored in buying the bumpers and the spare tire, the price was very close.

[bluesman31]

"during the Model-A era, the Model-A generally sold to a lower incomed family"

This makes sense, but it is something I have never understood in reference to their being so many coupes around now. If it was the lower income families buying the model A's, wouldn't they buy the most practical vehicles such as pickups and larger sedans? Coupes seem the least practical, and more sporty. I wonder if the reason there are so many coupes around now is that they are more sporty? I assume that is the reason many more were saved from the crusher over the years?

When looking at production numbers Ford sold around 2.0M Sedans and around 1.4M coupes. I am surprized by the number of coupes, they must have been cheaper? Today 2 door convertible are not usually entry level, lower income buyer cars.

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by bluesman31

Coupes seem the least practical, and more sporty. I wonder if the reason there are so many coupes around now is that they are more sporty? I assume that is the reason many more were saved from the crusher over the years?

I can see that. Possibly seen as the "fun" car back then or the church going car so they were upkept nicer and cared for VS the work every day pickup or the 4 door/2 door.

Probably same reason we have so many 1960-70's mustangs, camaros, chevelles, etc floating around today. Fun cars that were kept around and upkept nicely but completely impractical for everything but being sporty.

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

. . . but when you factored in buying the bumpers and the spare tire, the price was very close.

Extra for the spare?! Seems that the poor old spare has always been a target for cost-cutting by vehicle manufactuers. These days we whinge about cars supplied with space-saving spares instead of "real" ones!

[Vin-tin]

Originally Posted by Hoogah

Extra for the spare?! Seems that the poor old spare has always been a target for cost-cutting by vehicle manufactuers. These days we whinge about cars supplied with space-saving spares instead of "real" ones!

Just be glad you even get a spare these days.
My daughter's new SUV "sport" came with no spare tire at all. It uses "run flat technology" tires.

[Purdy Swoft]

Originally Posted by 31 Model A

What exactly was 'special' about it?

That was just the name given to it by Ford .

[Purdy Swoft]

The coupes were more of a sporty personal car than a family car .

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by Hoogah

Extra for the spare?! Seems that the poor old spare has always been a target for cost-cutting by vehicle manufactuers. These days we whinge about cars supplied with space-saving spares instead of "real" ones!

id rather have a doughnut anyday! Nowadays alot of car companies give you a can of fix o flat and a 1-800 number...sure you can buy a doughnut... for a price...

[DougVieyra]

All the sedans (except the Tudor) had LOTS of wood to deteriate and cause many problems. Coupes and open cars did not. However, production numbers for open cars reflected that the buying public much preferred a closed car (talk to today's members in N. Dakota, Minn, Mich, Maine, etc.) to an open car. The coupe gave both protection in winter and minimal problems with structural elements.
Today, the sedan fits the demands of a family, while the coupe fits the sense of 'style' that the single or childless couple prefers. Again. the coupe has very little wood problems compared to the sedans.

[Brobrian]

When I got my '28 Special Coupe running, in '88 my grandmother said she didn't want a ride in it. She said it was an Upitty-college-kid's car. According to her, ordinary people choose more practical models. Just one old lady's perception, but if she was right then the model appealed to a different segment of the market.

[M2M]

I like the look of the coupes with two oval windows...how rare are they?

Also, without a rumble seat how much luggage can you fit in the trunk?

[Shorty]

Why not?

[Rowdy]

I have always liked having four to choose from in 28-29. Ford reduced the number to 3 in 28-29 and the Standard and Deluxe looked basicly the same from the outside, so IMHO there were only 2 styles, but one had some added features and nicer interior. Rod

[Binger]

The Special coups have LOTS more wood in them. In the middle of working on mine.

[Tudortomnz]

There appear to be lots of different Coupe models, especially in 1928'29, but really they were based on the same metal panels & doors, only the tops were different.
Ford was always offering the most models to attract the most buyers.
Coupes were aimed at more affluent single men or women [ or older couple] or the Businessman. When the cars became older& 2nd hand, Coupes appealed to younger drivers, a bit like the Roadsters.
There were only really 2 Coupe versions in 1930'31 [ based on the same body] , the Std & Deluxe 5W Coupe & the fabric top Sport Coupe.
A Special Coupe top would be a lot of work to restore, but a properly done '28 '29 Sport Coupe/ Business Coupe top must be a nightmare.