model A's more popular than 32's?

Honestly, I like 'em both - equally. I think the answer to the original question depends upon how you define "popularity". If popular = most common/most frequently built, then hands down it's the A. If popularity = iconic, then it's the deuce (can anyone seriously question that?).

Me, I like Model T's (the first hot rods) on A rails w/deuce grilles. Guess that means I'm confused

 

Open and close doors on an 'A', then a '32. Overall structural integrity, and style...
Then the grilles/shells.
How many Deuces have you seen with Model A shells on 'em? LOL

 

I agree, but that's a false-dichotomy. Hot rodders typically sought to 'update' their cars, not 'back date' them. I would also suspect that the popularity of the deuce grille had as much to do with the mass 'upgrade' to the flathead V8 (if not more) than it did for 'styling' (let's not forget that the '32 radiator was pretty much a 'must' in the 30's, 40's, and early 50's if you ran a V8 - and it was virtually a bolt-on to the A chassis).

 

How many A's have you seen with T grills.?
I like the look of the A with a 30/31 grill it adds to the shape of the A.
It just seems like every car built now has a deuce grill shell.

 

Lets face it,the Model A was manufactured for 4 years the Deuce was a one year body style.

A good Model A coupe body can be obtained for about a 4th of what a good to fair Deuce 5 window coupe body can be purchased and that difference can have you a nice running and driving Model A or just a Deuce body sitting in the corner.

I've had my far share of both cars over the years and I think both are still extremely popular and they both have ardent fans.

I had a old friend & fellow club member who is not with us anymore (William Saylors) who was a dye in the wool 33/34 Ford nut and he was fond of saying a 1932 Ford is nothing more than a expensive DeLuxe Model A. HRP

 

A lot of hot rodders think that just because a 32 is worth 4 or 5 times what a model A is worth that they are more popular but I don't think that is the case at all.. I think that a lot of model A rodders truly like A's better.. I know I do.. That's not to say I wouldn't take a 32 but like some have said; I would sell it build a hot rod A and put the rest of the $$ in the car fund.. I'm also sure a lot of 32 owners would rather keep what they have and not look back.. The debate continues....

 

29 A roadster on deuce rails is it.

What do you think the guy who built the first one in that combo back in the day said?




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Certainly not the first, but possibly one of the best; this is from an old issue of HRM, I think from the '50s (sorry, I didn't copy the date when I scanned the pages):

 

I'm with you. I love the curves of the cowl panel below the gas tank on 28-29s, and putting the 28-29 roadster body on 32 rails is just right. I also prefer the 28-29 radiator to 30-31, but the deuce nose is always right. Just don't like A instrument panels, but the dash panels have nice lines. I also think grafting a 32 tank behind an A works, but know it's not liked by many here.

 

I seem to notice model A's, especially 29 roadsters on 32 rails more than I do the Deuces. The reason is there are soooo many deuces on the road that I enjoy the body style change. I am both a Deuce and Model 40 roadster fan but would certainly take the ones shown below for a change of pace. Note: they are a little cramped for space for a 6 foot plus individual.

 

Very old thread but is there any debate left on this subject???

 

Nope- Model A's win by a mile!!

 

Milo, as you know, I liquidated all of the Model A's from the garage as I was able to acquire '32 Fords to replace them over the last few years.
While I really enjoyed building and driving the A's, the investment return just wasn't there.
I'm better off in the long haul in value and also driving comfort having made the switch.
I'm getting older nowadays so comfort is a big plus.
Love them all but I'll stick with the Deuce models.

 

I don't own either, Id love to have both. But personally i really like A's better looks wise and the price difference is a big factor. I plan on building an A as my next project and i can afford one, a deuce would mean selling my house and living inside it in a walmart parking lot

 

I'm still a Deuce guy and I now have another 4 door Deuce but I fear Sam's long range prediction of Deuce owners dying off is coming true,we have lost 4 ardent Deuce guys since the post was started. HRP

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Model A because I have 2 and a bunch of parts.

 

5,000,000 model A's and 280,000 32's. There are enough other reasons to talk about all night also.

 

Are those the real numbers?

 

The numbers fluctuate depending on the source, but the average number of Model A's is around 4,858,644 which falls short of the 5 million and somewhere around 286,449 Deuces were built.

Quick math rounds it off to 16 Model A's were made for each Deuce built. HRP

 

Desirable and popular are not exactly the same thing. The 32 is imo more desirable-many of us desire to own one, and if we had the choice, all other things (price) being equal, (me, an A owner included) would have one. The A is more popular, because it is much more available and attainable.

 

Recently purchased the makings for a '32 roadster. Original frame, Brookville body, '50 Merc V8. Never thought I'd be able to do such a thing financially, but life can take strange turns. That said I'd also love to have an A. Maybe a closed car, can't beat the looks of a '31 Vicky with full fenders and boards.
-Dave

 

Maybe instead of more popular, I should have said, which makes a better hot rod, not street rod but hot rod.. I think they're pretty close in that comparison but I still give the nod to a heavy chop 28/29 or 28/29 roadster on deuce rails...

 

I agree based on looks alone.
An A with a heavy chop sitting low looks aggressive.
But, spend three hours driving it and decide which one you want...

 

I have a steel '31 coupe and a 'glass '32 3 window 'cuz that's what I can afford.

 

Bill, I agree with your first 2 sentences...

 

I wanted to chop it but my friends said no way. We fabricated the rear delivery door. But a 32 Vicky would be nice.....Gary

 

LOL! Some of these threads are kinda funny. I love a chopped Model A, and to my eyes the A has a more aesthetically pleasing look; and a lightly chopped high boy A has just about perfect lines. Still, I'd jump at the chance to own a 32 coupe, the advances Ford made at the time make it a superior vehicle, and it is and will always be the ultimate hot rod. Long live both of them!

 

Supply and demand drives the price up. Either one will look great if built right.

 

Would love to have a 32 but I have a A budget.