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Old 09-09-2016, 09:16 AM   #1
guyrube1
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Default 1931 roadster dash panel

Does anyone know if a brass plated dash panel was ever offered as an option from the factory, or is the one I have just someone wanted the brass look on a Model A roadster?
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Old 09-09-2016, 09:25 AM   #2
Don Turley
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Default Re: 1931 roadster dash panel

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Originally Posted by guyrube1 View Post
Does anyone know if a brass plated dash panel was ever offered as an option from the factory, or is the one I have just someone wanted the brass look on a Model A roadster?
There were some 1930-31 instrument panels made of brass, but they were nickel plated, not left as just plain brass. No original panel was brass plated.
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Old 09-09-2016, 11:26 AM   #3
Charlie Stephens
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Default Re: 1931 roadster dash panel

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Originally Posted by guyrube1 View Post
Does anyone know if a brass plated dash panel was ever offered as an option from the factory, or is the one I have just someone wanted the brass look on a Model A roadster?
I wonder if someone just polished an original brass panel?

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Old 09-09-2016, 12:42 PM   #4
guyrube1
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Default Re: 1931 roadster dash panel

So maybe the nickel plating has worn off and someone decided to just polish the brass instead of re-plating. Good to know that they did make a brass dash panels from the factory.
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Old 09-09-2016, 10:58 PM   #5
Mike V. Florida
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Default Re: 1931 roadster dash panel

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Originally Posted by guyrube1 View Post
Does anyone know if a brass plated dash panel was ever offered as an option from the factory, or is the one I have just someone wanted the brass look on a Model A roadster?
Read the last line;

The new design commercial bodies introduced in
June 1930 utilized the round speedometer panel.
• June 1930 through August 1930 the panel was
steel and finished in bright nickel.
• September 1930 through the end of production Butler
nickel was specified for 50%. of production.
• January 1931 through February 1931 - A brass
panel was optional. (Otherwise same as above).
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Old 09-10-2016, 10:14 AM   #6
guyrube1
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Default Re: 1931 roadster dash panel

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so if I can get a brass one it might be more authentic since my car was built in mid 1931
Thanks for the info
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Old 09-10-2016, 05:06 PM   #7
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Default Re: 1931 roadster dash panel

That is a beautiful dash panel. I will have to break into my piggy bank and call you
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Old 09-11-2016, 12:49 AM   #8
Mike V. Florida
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Default Re: 1931 roadster dash panel

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Originally Posted by Don Turley View Post
Yes, but it won't be authentic if you leave it as exposed brass. It was originally nickel plated. I have a restored one for sale in the FordBarn Model A Swap Meet page.
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=129705

Dan Bixby has one that has not yet been re-plated.
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=204181
Don help me understand the standards and statement,

"January 1931 through February 1931 - A brass
panel was optional. (Otherwise same as above)."

Why would someone want an optional brass panel if they were all plated?

And what does it have to do with commercial vehicles?
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Old 09-11-2016, 09:47 AM   #9
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Default Re: 1931 roadster dash panel

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Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida View Post
Don help me understand the standards and statement,

"January 1931 through February 1931 - A brass
panel was optional. (Otherwise same as above)."

Why would someone want an optional brass panel if they were all plated?

And what does it have to do with commercial vehicles?
Mike, I think that the word "optional" is confusing in this case. The purchaser of a new Model A did not have the "option" of choosing a steel panel or a brass panel. He got whatever happened to be on the vehicle. It's just that in January - February 1931, some of the panels were made of brass rather than steel. The brass ones got plated, just like the steel ones. The statement "Otherwise same as above" is a reference that the brass ones were finished (plated) just like the steel ones, not left plain. If you look at the photo in Dan Bixby's ad, you can see that most of the original plating is gone, but there is still some remaining where the ignition switch cover plate was and also in the insert areas that were originally painted black.

In the restoration process, if you send a brass panel and a steel panel to be plated, you will see that the brass one turns out better. This is because in the preparation process, it is easier to polish the brass ones than the steel ones. Over the years, the steel ones develop pitting that is more difficult to remove. Once the panel is installed on a car, you will not be able to determine a brass one from a steel one, unless you test it with a magnet. A magnet sticks to steel but not to brass. Therefore, except for use on a judged car, the brass one could be used from June 1930 until May 1931 and appear the same. In May 1931 the design of the panel was changed to include a distinct line around the ribbed area. Since the brass ones were only produced in January - February 1931, there are no brass ones of the later 1931 style.

There was no distinction between passenger and commercial instrument panels. Commercial vehicles used the same panels as passenger cars.


I have a restored one for sale in the FordBarn Model A Swap Meet page.
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=129705

Dan Bixby has one that has not yet been re-plated.
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=204181

Last edited by Don Turley; 09-11-2016 at 01:01 PM. Reason: additional details
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Old 09-11-2016, 09:58 PM   #10
guyrube1
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Default Re: 1931 roadster dash panel

thanks, I will use the brass one and have it replated
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