I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

In the January 1928 issue of FORD DEALER & SERVICE FIELD there is an article on page 16 that deals with the terminology issues that the Ford Dealers are advised to pay heed to. The first paragraph of the article is telling: "The 'flivver' has gone - it's gone forever ! From now on it will be 'Mr. Ford's New Car" - it should be termed that way by all Ford Dealers."

It took the Ford Motor Company 4 years to let go (driven by the new Model B /18) of it's own name for the car : The NEW FORD.

Well, now lo these many years, the 'New Ford' is no longer new. So we are not left with that archaic monocle in naming our car, and for the last 80 years or so, have new venues of nomenclature to explore.

Our beloved flivver has been known by many names. Today as I read both the FORD BARN Forum, as well as other 'outside' literature and websites, I have found the car's nomenclature various and novel.

Some of us call it "Ford Model A"; others of us call it "Model A Ford". Still others call it "Model A", and "A Model". And yet still others call it 'A Bone'. (This all presupposes all the owners personal name of endearment - 'Betsy', 'Lucille', 'Bonny', etc.) .

It took the Ford Motor Company 4 years to let go of it's own name for the car : The NEW FORD.

At the time of the NEW FORD's introduction, even popular culture recognized that Henry's new Ford was a gound-breaking event, with hit songs such as " Henry's made a Lady out of Lizze".

In a quick look at today's contemporary usage I have found some statistics that are of interest:

"Model A Ford" - 7 usages
"Ford Model A" - 6 usages
"Model A" - 4 usages

Looking further back into the 1928 - 1938 period, viewing both periodicals and automotive journals, I have found the following:

"Model A Ford" - 22 usages
"Ford Model A" - 3 usages
"Model A" - 3 usages

The most noted Ford expert of the 1915 - 1940 period, Murray Fahnestock, called it "Model A Ford".

So what do you use to describe your Ford car from 1928-'31 (besides it's 'family name') ? Model A, Ford Model A, Model A Ford ?

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

It depends on to whom I'm speaking. Some of my friends are not car nuts, so to them I would say a 1931 Model A Ford. To those who are more car savvy, I would likely say a 31 Ford roadster, since they would know that it's an A.

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

'A' Model Ford. hehehehehe.

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

I always say to those in the know a late 30 Tudor, to the man in the street 1930 mode A ford. Probably because it all black most think its a model T and I get to hear that any color quote

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

Chief said, "call me anything, as long as you call me for supper" He always
called them A Models. Have you noticed that when you refer to a car by year only, it is automatically a FORD!
Chief also said, "Call me anything, as long as you SMILE":D:D:D:D
Buster T.:cool: (HOME ALONE FUR 33 DAYS!):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

Bill,, WELCOME BACK!!! You have been missed!

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

"My truck" that what I call it!:D

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

Welcome back Bill!:cool:

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

I've always called them Model A . In past times I've had older people correct me and say its A model , not model A. I always try and just humor such people.

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

I was a child in the 50's, and a teen-ager in the 60's. People the age of my parents and grandparents always referred to "T Models" and "A Models." That is what I called them until I became SOPHISTICATED and began to refer to my car as a "Model A." Recently I have reverted to my native tongue and started calling it an "A Model" once again. It makes my wife and children cringe.

W. Michael

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

Ford model a to "strangers" model a to those in the "know".

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

I used to call them "A models" until I came to the big city in 1950. Now my car is the "A." To estranger it is "a 29 Model A Ford," as they probably have no clue, or it is vague to them. To those in the club, it is just "the 29 roadster." (I have a deluxe delivery that hasn't seen daylight in many years, so some ask about "the delivery.")

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

Here In Australia as in many other parts of the world we have both Model A Fords (28-31) and A Model Fords (28-31?) 1 is the American and 1 is British they look simular even the engines look simular but almost nothing interchanges

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

i say
tuuuudor
not
twodoor

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

Here's a result from Google's ngram viewer on usage over time:

http://carouselorgan.smugmug.com/Oth...odel%20a-M.jpg

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

What I call my car depends greatly on how it is treating me at the time!

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

A-400 or 400-A?

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

Anything but an "AR" !!

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

Here on the Barn year and body style "29 tudor". To others, "I am working on my model A." Most seem to know what that is.

Re: I say "Tomatoe" you say "Tomato" - How do we call our car?
 

'The Coupe'