The Ford Barn

wkuehnis · 07-31-2018, 01:58 AM

Hi,

I always drove T's.
Now I have my first A.
Question: Did they always have shocks ? (I couldn't find it out till now))
Is it driveable without shocks ?

My Fordor has very bad shocks, at the backend, it very soon knocks to the bottom of the shocks.

Thanks
Willi

juke joint johnny · 07-31-2018, 02:14 AM

Yes they all had them , often they are missing !!

They drive a lot better with them .Stipe make the best original type ,
but there are cheaper options some people use MGB or tube shocks

Looks a nice car you have

denniskliesen · 07-31-2018, 02:25 AM

The first 200 Model A's did not have provisions for shock absorbers, all Model A's after that had shocks under license from Maurice Houdaille of France to Houde Engineering Corporation in Buffalo, New York.

SeaSlugs · 07-31-2018, 07:38 AM

AA's had front shocks but no rear shocks except for very special vehicles (ambulance, funeral coach, etc)

Bob C · 07-31-2018, 10:30 AM

No shocks on 1930-31 AA's except rears as noted above.

J Franklin · 07-31-2018, 10:35 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

So who is right?

Purdy Swoft · 07-31-2018, 11:15 AM

I've read that early on in model A production , Henry drove the model A across a rough field and decided that shocks were needed. The two early 1930 AA trucks that that I have owned had no shocks or the holes to mount them .

BILL WILLIAMSON · 07-31-2018, 11:28 AM

[B]A Model A with NO SHOCKS is DANGEROUS! One QUICK SWERVE & your BODY belongs to GOD![
Bill Scared/B]

Bob C · 07-31-2018, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Franklin

So who is right?

We both are. 1928-29 AA's had front shocks only, 1930-31 AA's had
no shocks except rears on ambulance, funeral coach,and I think school bus.

CHuDWah · 07-31-2018, 01:53 PM

Drove our 30 CCPU without shocks until we restored it. Was OK but it was only in a small town with good streets and light traffic and we didn't haul much in it. Definitely better with the shocks.

vtwinsideways · 07-31-2018, 04:31 PM

Shocks are definitely a good idea and will add to your enjoyment, that being said, I've been driving my jalopy pickup without for ten years, (many highway miles and many country roads way too fast,) and I'm not dead yet. When you get around to them, rebuild them or get some new. Until then, unhook the malfunctioning ones and enjoy the (bumpy) ride.

WHN · 07-31-2018, 06:07 PM

In my humble opinion the most important things you need in good operating order on any Model A are.

Good brakes.

Rebuilt front end.

Good front and rear springs.

Good shocks at all four corners.

You might not care about killing yourself but there are other people out on the road with you.

There is a real reason Henry put those expensive shocks on a very inexpensive car. Enjoy.

07-31-2018, 01:58 AM	#1
wkuehnis Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Switzerland Posts: 59	Did the A always have shocks ? Hi, I always drove T's. Now I have my first A. Question: Did they always have shocks ? (I couldn't find it out till now)) Is it driveable without shocks ? My Fordor has very bad shocks, at the backend, it very soon knocks to the bottom of the shocks. Thanks Willi

07-31-2018, 02:14 AM	#2
juke joint johnny Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: London England Posts: 908	Re: Did the A always have shocks ? Yes they all had them , often they are missing !! They drive a lot better with them .Stipe make the best original type , but there are cheaper options some people use MGB or tube shocks Looks a nice car you have

07-31-2018, 02:25 AM	#3
denniskliesen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: SoCal Posts: 877	Re: Did the A always have shocks ? The first 200 Model A's did not have provisions for shock absorbers, all Model A's after that had shocks under license from Maurice Houdaille of France to Houde Engineering Corporation in Buffalo, New York.

07-31-2018, 07:38 AM	#4
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Did the A always have shocks ? AA's had front shocks but no rear shocks except for very special vehicles (ambulance, funeral coach, etc) __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

07-31-2018, 10:30 AM	#5
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,749	Re: Did the A always have shocks ? No shocks on 1930-31 AA's except rears as noted above.

07-31-2018, 10:35 AM	#6
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,962	Re: Did the A always have shocks ? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) So who is right?

07-31-2018, 11:15 AM	#7
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Did the A always have shocks ? I've read that early on in model A production , Henry drove the model A across a rough field and decided that shocks were needed. The two early 1930 AA trucks that that I have owned had no shocks or the holes to mount them .

07-31-2018, 11:28 AM	#8
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Did the A always have shocks ? [B]A Model A with NO SHOCKS is DANGEROUS! One QUICK SWERVE & your BODY belongs to GOD![ Bill Scared/B] __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

07-31-2018, 01:53 PM	#10
CHuDWah Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Kritter Krick, Flaw-duh Posts: 1,158	Re: Did the A always have shocks ? Drove our 30 CCPU without shocks until we restored it. Was OK but it was only in a small town with good streets and light traffic and we didn't haul much in it. Definitely better with the shocks.

07-31-2018, 04:31 PM	#11
vtwinsideways Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: T(r)aylorville IL Posts: 150	Re: Did the A always have shocks ? Shocks are definitely a good idea and will add to your enjoyment, that being said, I've been driving my jalopy pickup without for ten years, (many highway miles and many country roads way too fast,) and I'm not dead yet. When you get around to them, rebuild them or get some new. Until then, unhook the malfunctioning ones and enjoy the (bumpy) ride. __________________ I get all my excercise jumping to conclusions! http://www.newporthillclimb.com/

07-31-2018, 06:07 PM	#12
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,823	Re: Did the A always have shocks ? In my humble opinion the most important things you need in good operating order on any Model A are. Good brakes. Rebuilt front end. Good front and rear springs. Good shocks at all four corners. You might not care about killing yourself but there are other people out on the road with you. There is a real reason Henry put those expensive shocks on a very inexpensive car. Enjoy.