1929 ford roadster ?

i just took possession of my first 29 roadster and i couldn't be happier. it's a 0 rust 0 patch panel car. it was apart and painted a while back but has since been sitting in a guys garage for some 25 years or so. i started pulling the fenders and what not and to my surprise the rear wheel wells don't have the three ribs in them. i immediately thought someone had at one time replace the rear wheel wells or even the rear quarters but there are no weld lines and the panels are original.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
<o></o>
my question is did ford ever make a 29 roadster without the ribs in the wheel wells? does that mean it was a standard not a deluxe? i don't want to cut out the wheel wells and replace them but i really think a model a roadster gets a little character from those ribs hiding behind the back tires. any knowledge is greatly appreciated. thanks<o></o>

P.S. i'll be posting pics of the build once i get going on it. it'll have a late 40's early 50's dry lakes look

 

I've never heard of, or saw one without the ribs. Standards would have no cowl lights and upholstery would be different. The bodies would be the same.

 

A friend of mine has done at least 20 Model A roadster restorations and i've seen all of them at the starting point. Not one I can recall not having the ribs.

Frank

 

28/29 had no cowl lights period, they started those in 1930

 

Chris, you are right. Deluxe roadsters were offered first in 1930, so I stand corrected. Thanks.

 

Nip over to Fordbarn.com and put the question to the guys on the Model A forum. There are some very knowledgable A guys there.

 

My wife's roadster is dated February 1929 and does not have the ribs in the wheel wells. But there is somekind of form in the wells due to make the sheet metal rigid.

 

thanks for the pics man thats exactly what mine looks like. i'd post pics but my old lady has the camera.

thanks for all the help trying to figure this out guys.

 

I would guess that no ribs would mean that they have been replaced. I never heard that there was anything other than ribbed from factory.

Neal

 

Perhaps they were hammer welded back in the 40s or 50s and dressed so good that you no longer can tell.

 

I think the no rib is very early 28 or very late into 27 when some of the T was still in force.

 

I know that European-market 32s had some sheet metal differences from domestic market deuces, I am wondering if that may also hold true with model As? Velocette is from Finland, however he didnt mention if he imported the car or not when he and his wife purchased it.

So, maybe European market 28s-29s didn't have ribs, if that is the case? Just a thought.

 

thanks again guys for the input, all is appreciated.

now i pose the next ? keep them or scrap them. i almost cant justify fixing something that aint broke but again like i said those ribs just add something in my opinion.

let me know what ya think

 

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe the cowl fuel tank is the only part date stamped on the 28-29 A so it could have been changed and you might have an earlier car than the date. $.02

 

If they are in good shape, and they are "unique", why in the world would you cut them out? That seems totally unreasonable. It makes your car very rare and is a great conversation piece. And it will never be mistaken for a Brookville.