Interesting dual-horn '31 radiator shell

[alexiskai]

I encountered this setup on a '31 35-B I saw this weekend. An aftermarket shell with excellent plating (or SS, I can't tell) and holes for a horn conduit on both sides. It was paired with a replacement radiator that had the overflow tube coming down the passenger side. The second horn looked like it was wired with some sort of vintage Delco-brand splitter mounted on the frame inside the engine bay.

[d.]

interesting, but no Model A left the factory with 2 horns.
the 30-31 radiator shells were stainless steel, with the exception of the commercial vehicles which were plain steel, painted black.

[mercman from oz]

dual-horn '31 Ford Model A

[Synchro909]

FWIWE, no Model As were imported into Australia in 1931. By 1930, the depression had hit and sales were almost non existent, never the less, Henry sent a shipload of cars without bothering about orders. The dealers were expected to accept and pay for them but he didn't allow for Australian law which said that if it wasn't ordered, it didn't have to be paid for. He learned his lesson and didn't send any in 1931. I was still possible to buy a brand new 1930 model in 1933. In an attempt to sell a few cars, 4 sedans were built with fabric bodies and sent around dealerships hoping an order would materialise. None did but eventually, they were sold. I think one survives. IMO, the one of a kind would be a valuable car, if it does in fact survive.
Clearly, this car is a more recent import so who knows where that extra horn was fitted. I'd think it was done in the US.

[alexiskai]

Possibly there's some confusion, this is a car I saw in Asheville, NC. Very much the US.

Originally Posted by d.

no Model A left the factory with 2 horns

Oh yeah, I know it's an aftermarket mod. I just thought it was interesting that at some point, somebody sold (or modified) this shell that was equipped for dual horns.

The history of Model A mods is, to me, just as worthwhile as the history of the factory product. Often the only evidence left of a particular attempt is some unidentified rusty part, or some ephemera like a box or advertisement. I find it interesting because the story of the factory car is about what Ford wanted to do with the car, while the story of customizations is more about what individuals wanted to do with the car, or wanted the car to represent.

These modifications also become the history of individual cars. Knowing about when a certain modification was produced, like those ubiquitous beehive front motor mounts, can tell you something about the story of your own car.

[Harpkatt]

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Just looking at the local craigslist and found a Shay listed that has 2 horns. Maybe this is where the dual horn comes from?

https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/...311311077.html

EDIT: a 2nd look shows they may be mounted to/beneath the headlights

[redmodelt]

All you would have to do is use a hole punch and add a 2ed horn then wire it up.

[old31]

yep, anyone can add another horn. They are trying to make it look like a Packard, or Caddy or....

I use a step drill to drill the shell.