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.

 

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