There are technical differences among the four years of the Model A production.
Listed below are some of the details that distinguish one year from another.
|
|
1928 |
1929 |
1930 |
1931 |
|
Head Lamps |
Nickel, “acorn” |
Nickel, “acorn,” “Twolite” |
Stainless, parabolic,
“Twolite” |
Same |
|
Head Lenses |
Vertical flutes |
Vertical flutes with prisms |
Same |
Same |
|
Tail Lamp(s) |
Nickel, cylindrical, “Duolight,” forged
bracket |
Nickel, cupped, “Duolamp,” pressed steel bracket |
Stainless, cupped, “Duolamp,” pressed steel bracket |
Same |
|
Radiator
Shell |
Nickel, low & rounded, 13/16” wire holes, teardrop tab on crank hole cover, blue enamel emblem |
Nickel, low & round-ed,
15/16” wire holes,dumbbell tab on crank hole cover, blue enamel emblem |
Stainless, high, painted panel insert at bottom only,
blue enamel emblem |
Stainless, high, painted panel insert at bottom and at top, pressed stainless emblem |
|
Bumpers |
Nickel, reverse curved
ends, round head on center bolt* |
Nickel, reverse curved ends, oval head on center bolt* |
Chromium, slight bow, all bolts capped with
pressed stainless* |
Same |
|
Cowl |
Reverse curved with coupe pillar, exposed fuel tank |
Same, (except for Briggs & Murray bodies) |
High,
tapered smoothly into hood, concealed fuel tank |
Same |
|
Steering Wheel |
Red plastic, dished |
Black plastic, dished |
Black plastic,
flat, large hub |
Same |
|
Dash Panel |
Nickel, heart-shaped, oval speedometer |
Same |
Same, (mid-year change to 1931 style) |
Stainless,
oval, ribbed center, round speedometer |
|
Wheels & Tires |
21 x 4.50 |
Same |
19 x 4.75 |
Same |
|
Running Boards |
Separate, ribbed rubber,
zinc trim |
Same |
Integral with splash apron, pyramid rubber, stainless trim |
Separate, pyramid rubber, stainless trim |
|
Splash
Aprons |
One piece |
Same |
Two piece |
One piece |
*Note that all bumper bolt heads had the depressed portions painted the same shade
of blue as the porcelain enamel radiator emblem regardless of body color.
Source is from Henry’s Fabulous Model A Ford, by Leslie
Henry. Clymer Publications. 1978, p. 39.