'28-'29 Roadster vs. '30-'31 Dlx. Roadster

[Jeff/Illinois]

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[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Well, the 30/31 DeLuxe Roadster will bring more money ...HOWEVER based on my experiences, those cars cost about 15%-20% more to restore too, --so I suppose it all balances out.

Let's do some comparisons. The DeLuxe top irons & bows are more expensive to restore due to plating/etc., and the upholstery & floor covering is more expensive in the DeLuxe car ♦, ...and while it really doesn't seem like it should, it is less expensive to do the plating rather than correctly doing the stainless. For example, I paid about $450 to have a shell nickel-plated to show quality and I just paid Doug Bruce $750 for a restored '31 shell. Stainless hub caps, stanchions, gas/rad caps, clad bumper clamps, etc. all seem to require more work (time = $$) to restore.

Now the other kicker is NOS parts for a '28/29 do not seem to bring what '30/31 parts will. At Hershey this past year there were a couple NOS front fenders for a '28/29 that could have been (-or were) bought for about $1,500.00 ea. I would gladly give $2500.00 today for a factory-welled front '31 fender.



♦ (One thing to consider that might alter the mindset of the DeLuxe upholstery being more expensive would be that authentic '29 upholstery material is basically unavailable (limited original blue-grey material is available for a price) so to go after 495 points would require effort to replicate the trim scheme)

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[AJ]

I think it's obvious to most people a 28/29 roadster is more common then a 30/31. That most certainly is true of RPUs as well.
Supply & demand may be driving the cost difference too. Fewer 30/31s = price goes up.
So I'll agree with your side of the argument.

[Roadster62]

Maybe it's an East Coast thing but there are more 30-31's at local meets. I personally like the looks of the 30-31 over a 28-29 Roadster with one spare mounted on the back.

[LukeDahlinger]

I think another reason in favor of the 30-31's is room. I've driven both a 28-29 Roadster & Roadster Pickup and I damn near had to fold up like an accordion to fit. The 30-31 Open cars seem to have a bit more leg room, to me at least.

Now the 28-29 Open Cars may have more leg room with original seat cushions, but the cars I mentioned above both had reproduction seat springs and that may have been a factor.

Personal preference I like the 30-31's.

[Keith True]

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Up here in New England we see very few 28-29 roadsters.They are out there,but I only know of one that makes the cruise nights and shows.I can think of 15 or 20 30-31's,but only a couple 28-29's.On the other hand,at any fair sized show there will always be two or three DeLuxe 30's,at one small show there were four lined up.Washington blue,sidemounts,LB tops and interiors,tan tops,whitewalls,cowl lights,rumbles,all the wheels were either cream,straw,or pale yellow.It was like there was some kind of law in the 70's that didn't let you do your car in any other combo.

[HoarseWhisperer]

Hey, I have feelings, you know! lol

Actually, before I painted mine Washington Blue, I toyed with the idea of painting it black, one of only four factory colors schemes for a 31 Roadster.

I mean like, how many black 31 Roadsters do you see out there?

I was out voted on the color, but there are times I wish it was black.

[LukeDahlinger]

There's nothing finer than a all black Deluxe Roadster with Apple Green wheels.......

[Jim Parker Toronto]

I have a black 28 standard roadster and love the color, there's only one vote in my house that counts........

[ratamahata]

I think the 30´ 31´deluxe roadster got more value for his beauty body and interior, but the mechanical is the same...
But a 27AR or 28AR roadster may be cost more many than the deluxe 30´31´

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by ratamahata

I think the 30´ 31´deluxe roadster got more value for his beauty body and interior, but the mechanical is the same...
But a 27AR or 28AR roadster may be cost more many than the deluxe 30´31´

First off, what is a "27AR", ...or even a "28AR"?? I'm pretty sure you are gonna find that there really is no such vehicle that came from Ford Mtr. Co. called that.

In my experience, an early '28 roadster that is in equal restored condition to a DeLuxe Roadster may not necessarily be more $.

Also, I feel you are incorrect about the mechanical being the same. 7tooth steering vs. 2tooth gear boxes, multiple disc clutches vs. diaphram pressure plate, different brakings system, rear end gear ratio, etc.

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[Fred]

Are you kidding ?? Its all Different, EVEN the frame !!..

[ratamahata]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

First off, what is a "27AR", ...or even a "28AR"?? I'm pretty sure you are gonna find that there really is no such vehicle that came from Ford Mtr. Co. called that.

In my experience, an early '28 roadster that is in equal restored condition to a DeLuxe Roadster may not necessarily be more $.

Also, I feel you are incorrect about the mechanical being the same. 7tooth steering vs. 2tooth gear boxes, multiple disc clutches vs. diaphram pressure plate, different brakings system, rear end gear ratio, etc.

.

Yes your are right!! the mechanical is not the same. Well when I said AR its refer to early 28 different brakes system left hand parking brake, equalizer multi piece bar brake system, etc...
I my opinion is more value an early 28 than a 31... not in money!! but i think is more value in history.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by ratamahata

Yes your are right!! the mechanical is not the same. Well when I said AR its refer to early 28 different brakes system left hand parking brake, equalizer multi piece bar brake system, etc...
I my opinion is more value an early 28 than a 31... not in money!! but i think is more value in history.

Well you said it cost more, ...so I assumed that meant it referred to money. My apologies.

So are you saying Ford called the cars with left emergency brake AR's?

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[ratamahata]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Well you said it cost more, ...so I assumed that meant it referred to money. My apologies.

So are you saying Ford called the cars with left emergency brake AR's?

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I think Ford didn´t called AR, I saw in this forum a people called AR and saw in the Mikes A fordable catalog!!

1928 AR Brake Drums
Used only on the very early cars. Both front
and rear are the same.
A1125AR 1928 AR Price Ea. $ 129.95

[Purdy Swoft]

It is fairly common for the early 1928 cars to be reffered to as AR models by model A people. Its like the C crankshaft, police head and many others, only a technicality but some will continue to hammer these referances.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Purdy, I agree that back when I was a kid in the 60's growing up in the Model A clubs, the term 'AR', along with "A Model", Model C engine, A400, Sports Coupe, 5window Coupe, Touring Car (in lieu of Phaeton), and like words were often used because people were not educated regarding the proper names & definitions. During that same time period, I can remember hearing Model A club members speak about having a "gay time" at the club meetings or functions. I feel certain the definition of that word today would not apply to those Model A club events that we all partook of back then!! I'm not saying that the use of either word back then, --or now is wrong however I just pointing out that the definition has changed with different generations, and not everyone knows what a Model C or an AR is since those are inaccurate names & descriptions.

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[Purdy Swoft]

I think that we see referance to AR cars and C cranks here on the ford barn, nearly on a daily basis. I think that you and most others know what I mean.

[ratamahata]

I'm sorry if I talk to inappropriate words! I am new to this and copy many others say!!
I think they know more than me!! The model A ford is MADE IN USA...

[dean from bozeman]

Ratamahata, the AR terminology is commonly used. There are many who prefer the ve28 (Model A's built in 1927) or e28 (Model A's built in 1928). I have a ve28 and an e28. I take no offense at them being referred to as AR's. When you said 27AR and 28AR I knew exactly what you were talking about.

My 90 year old dad says, "Call me anything you want but don't call me late for supper."

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by ratamahata

I'm sorry if I talk to inappropriate words! I am new to this and copy many others say!!
I think they know more than me!! The model A ford is MADE IN USA...

I think you are doing fine. I know what you mean, and you can translate to English much better than I can translate to Spanish.

[Purdy Swoft]

ratamahata, no need to apologise. I knew exactly what you meant. My post was not aimed at you, it was in your defence.

[ratamahata]

Ok guys i´m fine!!