A 495 photos

[dean from bozeman]

I will be submitting 3 photos and comments on each. This is to share information on the earliy A's and to create an interest.

- Early Engine Number Pad


- Earliest starter with bent starter rod
- First generation motor mounts
- No rib brake light switch (totally different tabs than ribbed one)
- Earliest u-joint housing (with "T" cross section)


- Ford script on leaf spring
- Double scripted spring shackles
- no boss on steering arm
- cadmium plated pan
- arched spring perch
- early front axle
* found out that the shock links are Al Lepore early reproductions and will need to be replaced

[Pickupman]

Dean, Thanks for sharing. Love the oil pan.

[700rpm]

Dean, this is fabulous. Is there somewhere that all this is published? Magazine article, web site, booklet?

And what is your history with this chassis/car?

[glenn in camino]

Was this an actual car or just a really cool collection of parts?

[Ken Ehrenhofer]

Great chassis thanks for bringing it to San Diego. It was just one of theings that made San Diego a great meet. It was great to meet you also!!
Can't wait to see it finished?? Next year in Osh Kosh and the UP?
Ken

[Steve Ciccalone]

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Glenn, A495 is a real car. I have looked at it extensively. I own three 3 digit cars and a low four digit car. It's the real deal and I'm looking forward to seeing at Oshkosh next summer.

[dean from bozeman]

Glenn, as Steve states, A495 is the real deal. It is an actual four door phaeton and the earliest phaeton, to our knowledge, that still exists.

700rpm, I think that eventually a website will be developed. It truly is an interesting story. But for now here is just a little information.

I bought it right after the 2003 Hershey Swap meet from Charlie Bass. At that time Charlie was a Congressman from New Hampshire. Not only did Charlie save it from being made into a hot rod but he also did a wonderful job of documenting much of its previous history.

When I first bought it I was going to restore it myself. It was driveable and I was going to make it into a nicer driver. Then within a several month time period people from Illinois to California came to Montana to see it. Then it dawned on me that it was something special. I decided that it deserved a fine point restoration.

Basically, it had been worked on through the years (some of which were spent in South America). Parts were missing. It had some body work done on it previously. Bondo on several of the doors was 1/4" thick in places. It is body 260F (Rouge), the 260th Model A body made. It will take a lot of work to get it up to fine point standards but Mark Williamson of El Cajon, CA has taken on the project and has the skills to do it. Bill Sturm is delaying his retirement to fulfill a years old promise to do the upholstery and top on it.

The chassis was shown in San Diego at the MARC meet this year. I loved to stand around (somewhat in cognito) and listen to the comments. Next year it will go to Oshkosh (MARC) and Marquette (MAFCA) as a complete Model A.

There are many ways to enjoy Model A's: drivers, hot rods, show cars, fine point cars. They are all valid. They compliment our personal viewpoints. I am restoring A495 to a fine point condition because this odd duck needs to be preserved for future generations. It needs to be displayed so we Model Aers can talk about the transition from Model T's to Model A's that it represents.

Ken, I did enjoy talking to you very much. You may not realise it but you were quite a calming influence on me at San Diego after I took some comments personally and started to boil. Thanks.

Steve, I look forward to the time when A495 and your A435 will be in a show or on a drive together.

Happy Trails all!

[Bick in New Zealand]

"It is body 260F (Rouge), the 260th Model A body made"

Dean is the body stamped 260F or F260?

Just curious!

[dean from bozeman]

Bick, it is 260F.

[Wick]

Thanks for the photos,I now know what these motor mounts fit that I have. Theve been plated,I thought they were for a street rod.
Wick

[dean from bozeman]

Wick, it is great to hear that possibly another pair of these early motor mounts have survived. Some say they look like the float-a-motor mounts that have been sold to reduce engine caused vibrations. If indeed you have a pair of the early motor mounts and are thinking of selling them please contact me at [email protected]. I will put you in contact with a guy who needs a pair for his restoration.

On the other hand if you have an early vehicle that these came off of, welcome to the three digit club. Seriously there is no club or no dues. However, there is a handful of folks who are trying to preserve these early vehicles. Comments, ideas, parts, information swap, etc. are always welcomed.

[glenn in camino]

I'm glad to hear that it is a real car. Can't wait to see it done.

[Wick]

I picked them up at Hershey last year,traded a N.O.S (generator) pulley/fan for them.
I will take a photo and post it next week. I Had my hands on one of those early Spring Perchs the other day,thought it was T? Guess Ill go back and pick it in a couple of weeks.
Wick