28, 29 vs 30,31 What do you like any why?

[Model A Ron]

Ok for starters I like all of them but I would like to see your opinions and why you like the 28,29 or the 30,31. To me the 28, 29s look a bit older and I like that.

Thanks
Ron

[nkaminar]

I used to like the 28-29 cars more because they looked more antique, but my tastes have changed over the last 60 years and now I like the 30-31 cars more because they look more modern. Go figure.

I feel that the 19 inch tires are a little safer and will wear longer, but that depends on the brand.

My tastes changed after owning and driving a Model T for a decade. So that may have something to do with it. The desire for the antique look has gotten out of my system.

[beefheart]

I like them all, those years of all cars in general, to me, they create a neat atmosphere when I see them, you know what I mean?

[ronn]

I like both and tended towards the 28-29 initially as NK states. However as time has evolved, what I now like better about the 30-31 are the influx of all the new and often rare body styles.


The 29 towncar is perhaps my favorite of all, but who is to argue with an A400 or 180?

[Mulletwagon]

Like them all but prefer the smoother body lines of the 30-31.

[ericr]

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I agree with the observation that the 28-29s look more antique but the body construction is better on the later models....the earlier models having that removable front cowl section is a crazy design and makes body aligmment more difficult.

I suspect that the Company studied Model "A" engineering constantly and carefully and though they would not admit it, also studied the features and designs on competing cars like Chevrolet and Dodge Brothers.

[jb-ob]

In my mind the 1928-29 Ford represents the best Model T.

Same for the 1932 Model B four cylinder, representing the best Model A.

Your mileage may differ.

[Big hammer]

I wanted a deuce coupe (50years ago) settled for a 31, I lean towards 30-31 BUT it depends on the body style. If your wanting to give me a 28-29 I'll take it any body style

[Patrick L.]

I guess I'd say the 30-31 because I own one. So I know more about them than the 28-29.
If I had bought a 28-29 then I'd probably prefer them and know more about them.

[Keith True]

I was given an early 31 in 1968,when I was 12.(I'm still driving it)So I always kind of preferred the 30-31's.I did build a 28 open cab truck,and owned a 29 coupe.Just before Christmas I bought a July 28 Phaeton,and I really like that one.What I really wanted from the time I was 12 was a 35-6 3 window Coupe.4 years ago I bought one that I had known of for 40+ years.Got it up and running,drove it around,and lost all interest in owning it.Sold it and bought the Phaeton.

[redmodelt]

My first and only encounter of owing a "whole" Model A was a 1929 Briggs Town Sedan so was kinda mixture of both the 1928/29 and 1930/31 style. If I was to get another Model A I more then likely would get the same year and body style.

[Bob Bidonde]

By 1931 and judging by the Ford Service Bulletins, Ford got the Model A the best it could be. My styling preference is for the smooth lines of the 1930-'31 A's. So I favor 1930 & 1931 Model A's for these reasons. However, the 1928 & 1929 Model A's have better choices of colors, and their interior upholsteries are fancier.

[JayJay]

I've had both, but as time has gone on I find myself more drawn to what seems to me to be the more mature lines of the 30/31 (obviously, as I have two '30s now). To me (as apparently to others) the 28/29 look a bit more "antique" - sort of like a transition between the late Ts and the later As. Having said that, I do like the lines of the 28/29 in the open cars and would definitely consider one if it happened to come my way (and I could convince the bride that we need another car).

JayJay

[slatgrille]

I prefer the 'older' look of the 28/29's. The larger tires, rounded cowl and 'form fitting' front fenders always appealed to me.

[vern hodgson]

Originally Posted by slatgrille

I prefer the 'older' look of the 28/29's. The larger tires, rounded cowl and 'form fitting' front fenders always appealed to me.

Likewise, 28-29 I like an antique to look more antique is.

[ahirt]

I like the 28's most of all - just because of the red steering wheel - makes the 28's unique!

[MickyD]

I had a friend in high school who I envied because his dad and him worked on a model a pickup (1963). From that day on I was hooked on the model A. Then in 2009 a friend of mine talked a guy out of his model a for $8000. I tried to get him to trade me that model a for a 51 Hudson, a 53 GMC pick up and a 55 chev pickup. He wouldn't budge. I saw a 28 model a roadster in 2015 and just had to have it, no matter what the price. I saw others that were in better shape but they were not roadsters. I finally got what I wanted and I love it.

[Model A Ron]

Originally Posted by MickyD

I had a friend in high school who I envied because his dad and him worked on a model a pickup (1963). From that day on I was hooked on the model A. Then in 2009 a friend of mine talked a guy out of his model a for $8000. I tried to get him to trade me that model a for a 51 Hudson, a 53 GMC pick up and a 55 chev pickup. He wouldn't budge. I saw a 28 model a roadster in 2015 and just had to have it, no matter what the price. I saw others that were in better shape but they were not roadsters. I finally got what I wanted and I love it.

Share a photo with us!!!!!!

[Kevin in NJ]

From a practical stand point by late 31 some bodies were slightly changed in their steering wheel and seat position. For tall people slant bodies may offer more comfort.

28-29 roadster pickups are not for tall people!!!

As for aesthetics that is truly for the beholder. I personally like the slants. The A I would love to own is a nice original 160C.

[Jack Shaft]

28/29's had a high amount of forged parts..by 30/31 to lessen production costs Ford began redesigning part to use stamped steel. Pound for pound, the 28/29's were better quality cars.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Jack Shaft

28/29's had a high amount of forged parts..by 30/31 to lessen production costs Ford began redesigning part to use stamped steel. Pound for pound, the 28/29's were better quality cars.

I suspect the cost cutting measures Henry found himself forced to make when the depression began to bight is the reason behind the later As being cheapened.
My vote is for the earlier style.

[Oldbluoval]

I’m with Bob B......
I’m a 31 person. Lots of unique body styles in 31 and I love the slants. 68c, a400 and the 160 series are the best model a sedans built. And the 180a .... lots of show (a true beauty) but a very problematic body and top!
IMHO

[Flyboy1st]

Nothing beats the look of a nice 1929 Standard Coupe, old looks but performs as good if not better than the 30/31 style.

[Lona]

To me, the 28-29's represent the end of an era where most cars looked like they were influenced by carriage design....... primitive, angular, with tall tires and a high stance..... no flowing lines. The 30-31's hint at the explosive modernization in automobile design that took place during the 1930's when cars began to look streamlined and more like works of art. Both have their place in the eye of the beholder.

Glen

[Oldbluoval]

And then came 33’s and 34’s! Oh yeah this is the Model A forum!

[Synchro909]

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Originally Posted by Oldbluoval

And then came 33’s and 34’s! Oh yeah this is the Model A forum!

You could count the number of '33s and '34s in this whole country on the fingers of one hand - and they are likely more recent imports. No Fords were sold here in 1931 and, I believe, in 1932. It's nearly the same again now if you don't count those little rebadged Asian cars. A few Mustangs are sold but they're not well regarded.

[Richard in Anaheim CA]

I own both but favor my 28 Tudor. I can almost imagine being the one with both Henry and Edsel standing next to it in that famous picture.

Someone favored his 28 for the red steering wheel. I like that too but maybe more so the mushroom shift knob, the "tuna can" tail light, those reverse curve bumpers, the coupe pillar cowl. I like the 21 inch wheels but for some time have been running 19's while waiting to powder coat the 21's. (You would be surprised how good the 21's look on my '31 Slant)

The old girl has been driven by this old man over 100,000 miles in 49 states and if both of us last long enough we're driving to #50 Alaska, and home of course. She's 93 and I was 84 yesterday.

Richard
Anaheim CA

[al's28/33]

The 28's set the bar. I love how the front fenders follow the top curve of the wheels and the radiator shell is the little brother of the affluent Lincoln.

[barry022]

All 4 years are great. Even Will Rodgers admitted he never met a Model A he didn't like.

[skeazle]

I guess I prefer the '30 and '31 but mostly the '30 Tudor cause I have one ans she's a beauty.

[ModelAMike1930]

I like the 30-31 body style the best I have 2 of them a 1930 coupe and a 1930 pickup.

[blindenlaub]

I prefer the 28/29 cars for the reasons others have stated. I also like the appearance of nickel plating vs. chrome or stainless steel, and the parabolic shape of the 28/29 headlights.

[Model A Ron]

Originally Posted by Richard in Anaheim CA

I own both but favor my 28 Tudor. I can almost imagine being the one with both Henry and Edsel standing next to it in that famous picture.

Someone favored his 28 for the red steering wheel. I like that too but maybe more so the mushroom shift knob, the "tuna can" tail light, those reverse curve bumpers, the coupe pillar cowl. I like the 21 inch wheels but for some time have been running 19's while waiting to powder coat the 21's. (You would be surprised how good the 21's look on my '31 Slant)

The old girl has been driven by this old man over 100,000 miles in 49 states and if both of us last long enough we're driving to #50 Alaska, and home of course. She's 93 and I was 84 yesterday.

Richard
Anaheim CA

Richard
Happy belated Birthday and love your story of over 100,000 miles and 49 States. You will need to share some photos of Alaska when you make it up that way.

Any chance you or someone else can post the famous photo of both Henry and Edsel?

Ron

[Model A Ron]

I was watching some youtube videos and one said the Model A was made until March of 32.......anyone have a 32 Model A or were they branded as 31's

[ronn]

Ron- I once owned a 1931 title that was titled in 1932.
it stated 1932 model A

[Model A Ron]

Originally Posted by ronn

Ron- I once owned a 1931 title that was titled in 1932.
it stated 1932 model A

I was thinking they did it like that. Ford stopped all production in March of 1932 and came back with the Model B and the V8's.

Ron

[Jim M]

29 is my favorite - probably because my barn find is a 29 Roadster. The 29 seems to have some improvements over the 28's but still are very similar. They ALL are great but I still like the earlier ones.

[Model A Ron]

Originally Posted by Jim M

29 is my favorite - probably because my barn find is a 29 Roadster. The 29 seems to have some improvements over the 28's but still are very similar. They ALL are great but I still like the earlier ones.

I love my 29 Phaeton but I would like to find a 2 tooth steering box for it.....mine came with a 7 tooth before they changed over to the two tooth box.

Ron

[Keith True]

I have a nice 28 Phaeton that had a 29 2 tooth box put in it.That seems to be the only real deviation from the early features on that car.If it hadn't already been done I probably would have done it myself.Whenever I find an early 2 tooth column,I grab them.I think I have two of them right now.

[Model A Ron]

Originally Posted by Keith True

I have a nice 28 Phaeton that had a 29 2 tooth box put in it.That seems to be the only real deviation from the early features on that car.If it hadn't already been done I probably would have done it myself.Whenever I find an early 2 tooth column,I grab them.I think I have two of them right now.

Keith
I sent you a private message.

Ron

[Detonator]

That beautiful curved line on the cowl sides of the 28-29 does it for me. I've had a couple including an RPU -- and indeed, it was tiny. I'd consider a 30-31 roadster next, because you can get down inside them.

[Gene F]

28. I was lucky enough to get one when I was 34.

[Gene F]

I lucked out because when I was 34 I got a Model-A. I always wanted one, because my Grandfather had one when he was the County Truant Officer. His was a 29 coupe. Mine is a 28 (March) Tudor. I bought it in 1994, and brought it home in pieces. I prefer the 28 -29, so I guess I lucked out. They are all great cars in my opinion. I sure would like to have one of the General Electric Specials, but they sure are hard to find.

My favorite is by far the Model-A that is driven. Ocassionally I'll pass one, sometimes when I'm in mine. If I go to a car show and there is a kid with their Dad I have been known to put em' in the front seat and take their hand and toot the horn. Best fun ever!

Remember, my favorite is by far the Model-A that is driven.

[dr.j]

A 28 Tudor with black tires and no added extras like side spares, wind wings, trunk etc. Just a plain ole 28 basic Tudor.

[Mulletwagon]

Yep, "Model As", the continuing story of an iconic automotive design, the men who keep them running and the women who love them - the Model As that is.

[Russ B]

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I’ve had 4 different !929 body styles, one a Briggs body. The 28-29 Briggs body one piece cowl and flush fitting doors have a beauty that did not come back to Ford designs until the 1932 models. The more primitive A pillar and cowl of the other 28-29 styles have their own strong character. I love both designs.

[rich b]

'28-'29 are cute; that says it all.