The Ford Barn

Bick in New Zealand · 03-02-2012, 01:55 PM

Just venting a pet hate of mine. Recently at a local rally I was amazed that I and a couple of others were the only ones out of 20+ Model A's that did not have stoneguards on the front of their cars. Back in the day were these for protection or just emulating the bigger more expensive cars? In 40 years of Model Aing I have yet to see a Model A stopped because of radiator damage to the front caused by flying debris. Maybe they would be better to fit them to the back, where all the damage happens! The Model A radiator and surround is a thing of beauty why cover it up? On a side note I have only ever seen one original here, a rare beast.

HoarseWhisperer · 03-02-2012, 02:13 PM

Did it look anything like this one, Bick?

I know it's a matter of personal taste, but I preferred the "naked" look too, and now the stone guard is wall decoration in the Garage Mahal.

real550A · 03-02-2012, 02:24 PM

I'm with you, Hoarse...can't beat the simple beauty of a naked '31!

Purdy Swoft · 03-02-2012, 02:34 PM

I really don't care what anybody does to their car. For my part, I hate the looks of stone guards. The model A radiator shell is a thing of beauty and the stone guard hides it. One guy said that he liked stone guards because they hide flaws in the radiator shell. I say you could probably find a decent radiator shell for less than a stone guard will cost. I feel that gaudy exterior accessories detract from the original beauty. I'm not a purist, I do love period correct accessories , added to the engine to improve driveability , such as higher compression heads, performance cams and dual updraft carb. setups but mostly draw the line at that point.

Jordan · 03-02-2012, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoarseWhisperer

Did it look anything like this one, Bick?

I know it's a matter of personal taste, but I preferred the "naked" look too, and now the stone guard is wall decoration in the Garage Mahal.

want to sell it??

BashawT · 03-02-2012, 02:55 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I've always liked the look of the stone guard....Just comes down to personal taste.

HoarseWhisperer · 03-02-2012, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordan

want to sell it??

Sorry, no Jordan.

I don't want to be responsible for someone else covering up their beautiful rad shell.

The stone guard will remain "wall art",.......

......unless some Sheik happens to offer me triple what it's worth.

*tic*

Bick in New Zealand · 03-02-2012, 03:18 PM

'Did it look anything like this one, Bick?'
Was a long time ago, memory tells me mesh was finer. Do remember it was made by 'Goble Manufacturing'
That plate on your roadster should be here, most of our A's were built in Ontario, and NZ well what more can I say!
Cheers

Gary/IA · 03-02-2012, 03:47 PM

I prefer the "naked" look also.

That being said, in the are were I live in the midwest, many of the secondary roads are surfaced with 3/4" crushed limestone. It is quite common when traveling the paved hiways to meet trucks hauling this rock. It is also common to lose a windshield by a flying rock either from the truck or kicked up by a vehicle you meet. This will make you think seriously about using a stone guard.

As you can see in the picture I reduced my chances of a rock through the radiator by 50%.

HoarseWhisperer · 03-02-2012, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bick in New Zealand

'Did it look anything like this one, Bick?'
Was a long time ago, memory tells me mesh was finer. Do remember it was made by 'Goble Manufacturing'
That plate on your roadster should be here, most of our A's were built in Ontario, and NZ well what more can I say!
Cheers

Yeah, I've had people ask me if I'm from New Zealand, even though it's an Ontario plate.

I am unable to find any manufacturing markings on this stone guard. I'm aware there were some of the finer mesh ones from the period made by Globe Machine out of Cleveland, Ohio and the Otwell Company out of Detroit.
I'm wondering if this one could have been made by Skinner Manufacturing of Oshawa, Ontario. They produced parts and accessories (including the Lyon metal Tire Cover) for many of the cars before being bought out by Houdaille Industries.

This stone guard is unique in that it mounts with spring hooks that thread through the radiator fins and tubes. No visible clamps, etc.

Cost a fortune to re-plate, but it was in good shape with no dents.

Wish I could have joined the New Zealand tour last year. Some of our friends were there.

Cheers!

pdora · 03-02-2012, 04:19 PM

One of the reasons I finally gave up on Harleys is the bolt-on junk which, for many owners, constitutes customization. The Harley design is sublime, a thing of beauty in and of itself (with the exception of that bastard softail which pretends to be something it is not, but that is a rant for another day). I began to notice a correlation between adorning the human body with tattoos and tarting up these beautiful machines with chrome geegaws. Much money can be made off the urge to improve upon perfection.

The model-A design is also sublime. Admittedly, Edsel borrowed freely from luxury cars both foreign and domestic, but his attempt to provide an upscale look at a common price was a triumph.

When I bought my Model-A two years ago, the first thing I did was lose the stone guard. Next I have to do something about the naugahyde interior which is suspect is not original.

heneste · 03-02-2012, 04:46 PM

I have a stone guard on mine just for protection for the rad as well as preventing some people from trying to get the rad emblem off.
I do prefer the look of them without the stone guard on though.
I have only seen one Model A at the Stirling Ontario swap meet that modified the stone guard so that it sat between the rad shell and the radiator itself. It didn't hide the rad shell design and still offered protection.

2manycars · 03-02-2012, 05:04 PM

I prefer the model A with no accessories, or very few. I do have a motometer. I think the stone guard looks like a pontiac. It strikes me funny that after 20 years of fords on deplorable roads without a stone guard, folks decided it was a good idea on a model A. My father used to call such accessories "gilding the lilly". I prefer the model A in it's beauty from simplicity. Form follows function.

Louis · 03-02-2012, 05:27 PM

I think most will agree that chrome stone guard's, do go good with curb feeler's and fender skirts

.

To each his own

.

Rene R · 03-02-2012, 05:36 PM

Yes, to each his own, personal taste and all that. But I'm interested to see that in this thread at least, the naysayers are in the majority.

My opinion aligns with most already stated: I feel it seriously detracts from the beauty of the original design. When I bought my '28 Fordor the very first thing I did after the car was delivered to my driveway was to grab my tools and remove the stone guard and headlight eyebrows that had been installed by the previous owner.

CarlG · 03-02-2012, 05:45 PM

Blue dot tail lights are another detraction! (in addition to the fact that in some states they are illegal)

Louis · 03-02-2012, 06:05 PM

Glad you brought that up Carl,
As many of you know, I have been leading the way for a bill to be pass'ed here in GA. that would outlaw blackwall tires with black wheels on all model A ford's [28-31] it's called the W/W law.
It is very close to passing, I have a lot of support here in the state, And If the voters here in Ga. agree in nov 2012,... All "A" model's in the state of Ga. will look like mine, And that's my opinion

.

1931 flamingo · 03-02-2012, 06:23 PM

The stoneguard on my avitar was given to me, sooo how could I say no.
Paul in CT

HoarseWhisperer · 03-02-2012, 06:27 PM

lol Louis. Whitewall law?

No headlight-brow law for safety reasons?

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-02-2012, 06:28 PM

If I had the skills, I would build a skinny, flat black stoneguard shaped like the exposed profile of the radiator! That shape is a classic art form.
Please don't jump on my case, but stone guards on 'A's" remind me of an old Chev. We do have freedom of speech, don't we?? Bill W.

03-02-2012, 01:55 PM	#1
Bick in New Zealand Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napier New Zealand Posts: 931	Stoneguards Just venting a pet hate of mine. Recently at a local rally I was amazed that I and a couple of others were the only ones out of 20+ Model A's that did not have stoneguards on the front of their cars. Back in the day were these for protection or just emulating the bigger more expensive cars? In 40 years of Model Aing I have yet to see a Model A stopped because of radiator damage to the front caused by flying debris. Maybe they would be better to fit them to the back, where all the damage happens! The Model A radiator and surround is a thing of beauty why cover it up? On a side note I have only ever seen one original here, a rare beast. __________________ 1928 Roadster (CA67) 1931 Deluxe Coupe RHD 1931 Victoria RHD Model A's don't leak oil they just mark their territory.

03-02-2012, 02:13 PM	#2
HoarseWhisperer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,470	Re: Stoneguards Did it look anything like this one, Bick? I know it's a matter of personal taste, but I preferred the "naked" look too, and now the stone guard is wall decoration in the Garage Mahal. __________________ I know a lot of things; I just can't remember them all. 1928 CCPU 82-A 1931 Roadster 40-B Dlx (Canadian)

03-02-2012, 02:24 PM	#3
real550A Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Branch, MN. Posts: 161	Re: Stoneguards I'm with you, Hoarse...can't beat the simple beauty of a naked '31! __________________ Mike B. Model A's and Porsches since 1957

03-02-2012, 02:34 PM	#4
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Stoneguards I really don't care what anybody does to their car. For my part, I hate the looks of stone guards. The model A radiator shell is a thing of beauty and the stone guard hides it. One guy said that he liked stone guards because they hide flaws in the radiator shell. I say you could probably find a decent radiator shell for less than a stone guard will cost. I feel that gaudy exterior accessories detract from the original beauty. I'm not a purist, I do love period correct accessories , added to the engine to improve driveability , such as higher compression heads, performance cams and dual updraft carb. setups but mostly draw the line at that point.

03-02-2012, 02:55 PM	#6
BashawT Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Pere, WI Posts: 290	Re: Stoneguards Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I've always liked the look of the stone guard....Just comes down to personal taste.

03-02-2012, 03:18 PM	#8
Bick in New Zealand Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napier New Zealand Posts: 931	Re: Stoneguards 'Did it look anything like this one, Bick?' Was a long time ago, memory tells me mesh was finer. Do remember it was made by 'Goble Manufacturing' That plate on your roadster should be here, most of our A's were built in Ontario, and NZ well what more can I say! Cheers __________________ 1928 Roadster (CA67) 1931 Deluxe Coupe RHD 1931 Victoria RHD Model A's don't leak oil they just mark their territory.

03-02-2012, 03:47 PM	#9
Gary/IA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ellston, Iowa Posts: 247	Re: Stoneguards I prefer the "naked" look also. That being said, in the are were I live in the midwest, many of the secondary roads are surfaced with 3/4" crushed limestone. It is quite common when traveling the paved hiways to meet trucks hauling this rock. It is also common to lose a windshield by a flying rock either from the truck or kicked up by a vehicle you meet. This will make you think seriously about using a stone guard. As you can see in the picture I reduced my chances of a rock through the radiator by 50%.

03-02-2012, 04:19 PM	#11
pdora Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Rutledge, Georgia Posts: 184	Re: Stoneguards One of the reasons I finally gave up on Harleys is the bolt-on junk which, for many owners, constitutes customization. The Harley design is sublime, a thing of beauty in and of itself (with the exception of that bastard softail which pretends to be something it is not, but that is a rant for another day). I began to notice a correlation between adorning the human body with tattoos and tarting up these beautiful machines with chrome geegaws. Much money can be made off the urge to improve upon perfection. The model-A design is also sublime. Admittedly, Edsel borrowed freely from luxury cars both foreign and domestic, but his attempt to provide an upscale look at a common price was a triumph. When I bought my Model-A two years ago, the first thing I did was lose the stone guard. Next I have to do something about the naugahyde interior which is suspect is not original. __________________ Peter A. Dora -- Rutledge, GA (AE4XH)

03-02-2012, 04:46 PM	#12
heneste Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ottawa,Ontario, Canada Posts: 271	Re: Stoneguards I have a stone guard on mine just for protection for the rad as well as preventing some people from trying to get the rad emblem off. I do prefer the look of them without the stone guard on though. I have only seen one Model A at the Stirling Ontario swap meet that modified the stone guard so that it sat between the rad shell and the radiator itself. It didn't hide the rad shell design and still offered protection.

03-02-2012, 05:04 PM	#13
2manycars Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 2,732	Re: Stoneguards I prefer the model A with no accessories, or very few. I do have a motometer. I think the stone guard looks like a pontiac. It strikes me funny that after 20 years of fords on deplorable roads without a stone guard, folks decided it was a good idea on a model A. My father used to call such accessories "gilding the lilly". I prefer the model A in it's beauty from simplicity. Form follows function.

03-02-2012, 05:27 PM	#14
Louis Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Marietta GA. Posts: 647	Re: Stoneguards I think most will agree that chrome stone guard's, do go good with curb feeler's and fender skirts . To each his own .

03-02-2012, 05:36 PM	#15
Rene R Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 77	Re: Stoneguards Yes, to each his own, personal taste and all that. But I'm interested to see that in this thread at least, the naysayers are in the majority. My opinion aligns with most already stated: I feel it seriously detracts from the beauty of the original design. When I bought my '28 Fordor the very first thing I did after the car was delivered to my driveway was to grab my tools and remove the stone guard and headlight eyebrows that had been installed by the previous owner.

03-02-2012, 05:45 PM	#16
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,120	Re: Stoneguards Blue dot tail lights are another detraction! (in addition to the fact that in some states they are illegal)

03-02-2012, 06:05 PM	#17
Louis Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Marietta GA. Posts: 647	Re: Stoneguards Glad you brought that up Carl, As many of you know, I have been leading the way for a bill to be pass'ed here in GA. that would outlaw blackwall tires with black wheels on all model A ford's [28-31] it's called the W/W law. It is very close to passing, I have a lot of support here in the state, And If the voters here in Ga. agree in nov 2012,... All "A" model's in the state of Ga. will look like mine, And that's my opinion . Last edited by Louis; 03-02-2012 at 06:16 PM.

03-02-2012, 06:23 PM	#18
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,393	Re: Stoneguards The stoneguard on my avitar was given to me, sooo how could I say no. Paul in CT

03-02-2012, 06:27 PM	#19
HoarseWhisperer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,470	Re: Stoneguards lol Louis. Whitewall law? No headlight-brow law for safety reasons?

03-02-2012, 06:28 PM	#20
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Stoneguards If I had the skills, I would build a skinny, flat black stoneguard shaped like the exposed profile of the radiator! That shape is a classic art form. Please don't jump on my case, but stone guards on 'A's" remind me of an old Chev. We do have freedom of speech, don't we?? Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"