Ford authorized sale of "imperfect" model a engines.

[Henry's Lady's Man]

Originally Posted by Phil Brown

Anyone know what "gyp" stands for ?

Without hurting any feelings of minorities, It is a reference to Gypsies being non citizens in many countries of Europe (origins from Romania) and disdained by xenophobes and ethnic purists and nationalists.
Some were known to cut the purity of salt with gypsum, of lesser value in days of yore.
Good synonyms would be counterfeit, knock-off, look-a-like, fake etc.
so getting gypped meant paying for the real deal and getting a knock-off.