Model AR

[TradModelA]

Why is a early model A called an "AR"? I know what the differences are i just cant find out what the significance of the "R" is. Were these low production or fairly common? Thanks.

[Charlie Stephens]

When a part was revised and no longer used in production the suffix was revised to the next letter and an “R” was added to indicate this part was no longer used in production but needed to be stocked to repair vehicles that had already been delivered. I don’t know if the “R” stood for repair or replacement but either makes sense (or maybe something else). The largest single group of changes occurred early with the replacement of the brake system. These early cars that utilized a large number of parts carrying the suffix “AR” were generally referred to as “AR” cars by the people in the hobby (but not by Ford). Although not as common, parts with the suffix “BR” exist as well as parts that were introduced later in production.

Charlie Stephens

[Ken Ehrenhofer]

Charlie is correct and it was a mistake in the early 60's by Model A Restorers to use that term. We should not use it any more and refer to cars built in 1927 and about the first 6 months of 1928 as "early 28's". Of course now we have a new region and I believe it is called the "27ers". This is a fun way of referring to this group who either own or are interested in those extremely early cars.
Ken

[mot]

this may have had a little to do with the nomenclature

[Jim Parker Toronto]

Thanks, MOT! if Henry called them AR's, why can't we? (boy this is really stir things up..)

[Charlie Stephens]

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Originally Posted by Jim Parker Toronto

Thanks, MOT! if Henry called them AR's, why can't we? (boy this is really stir things up..)

Jim,

Henry called the part AR (because the suffix to the part was AR), not the car.

Charlie Stephens

[TradModelA]

Found my old post from years ago, funny I know own one of these early 28 cars. However, mine is a mix mash of 28 and 30 parts , visually appearing as all 1928. The date on the gas tank is 6/ 1928. Does this make the cut off to be early?

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[redmodelt]

The AR's also used different wheels and the parking brake handle was next to the cowl.

[Tom Wesenberg]

With a June 1928 I would think you have the separate parking brake and later style 21" wheels, and if so then this would be considered a later 28 Model A.

[TradModelA]

I have the brake handle on the left by the cowl and 21inch wheels. How do you ID the early wheels? Mine have the center cap that says made in USA.

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[Pinesdune]

It's the thickness of the hub in the center, the early wheel is about 1 1/8" the later is about 1 3/8", the larger Center allows clearance for the larger rear brake drum that encases the ebrake, the early 28's ebrake engages the cars 4 wheel brakes.

MrTexas was kind enough to send me info on the differences between the early and later cars, if you want a copy, just PM me and I'll send a copy your way


Looking for the front bumper emblem that has "Ford, Made In Canada"

[Bob Johnson]

Did You Know that some of the parts unique to the Convertible Sedan (400A not A-400) Had the AR suffixes. Does that make all 400As AR cars?

Bob

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Bob Johnson

Did You Know that some of the parts unique to the Convertible Sedan (400A not A-400) Had the AR suffixes. Does that make all 400As AR cars?

Bob

Since the "AR" designation commonly used as the "early 28", and was never officially used by Ford to designate those cars, I would think not.

The "R" in this case most likely is used to designate Ford Factory "Replacement" parts.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by norseg

Does that make all 400As AR cars?
royal 1688

No not at all.

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

With a June 1928 I would think you have the separate parking brake and later style 21" wheels, and if so then this would be considered a later 28 Model A.

My Canadian built, Australian assembled phaeton is June 28 according to the stamping on the firewall. It originally had the early style parking brake and the early style wheels (however it now sits on a '29 rolling chassis).

Canadian production may have had a later changeover to the later features?

[Pinesdune]

Originally Posted by Hoogah

My Canadian built, Australian assembled phaeton is June 28 according to the stamping on the firewall. It originally had the early style parking brake and the early style wheels (however it now sits on a '29 rolling chassis).

Canadian production may have had a later changeover to the later features?

In the Restoration Guidlines it states that any production change over dates to new parts usually took effect up to 3 months later in Canada

[Ronnie Lawson]

What is the definition for the AR 3.pdf
There is no such model as Model AR to begin with.
Read the attachment for what an AR is.

[Clem Clement]

AR:
Always Rusting
Always Rattling

[todd3131]

Until I started reading this web site a couple of years ago I had never heard the term early 28 which isn't a Ford term anymore than ar is or deciding to call them 400 a instead of a400. Who decided that this is wrong and to change the nomenclature? It seems to me someone has way too much time on their hands to change something that works just fine.

[dave in australia]

Originally Posted by Hoogah

My Canadian built, Australian assembled phaeton is June 28 according to the stamping on the firewall. It originally had the early style parking brake and the early style wheels (however it now sits on a '29 rolling chassis).

Canadian production may have had a later changeover to the later features?

Genarally, the change over date is about 6 months after the USA change over for Australian A's.