Can you help me identify my roadster?

Well, with bloodshot eyes and 1,300 miles under my belt this weekend I'm happy to say there is a Ford roadster in my garage today!

I'm curious to know just what I've got here. There is a tag riveted to the right side of the firewall, but it has been painted over. Any ideas on finding out what's underneath it? I thought I might be able to do a pencil rubbing, but there doesn't appear to be anything to rub (it looks flat). Were these tags painted instead of stamped? What would you do? I'd at least like to find out what year it is.

Thanks!

-Ben

 

any pics

 

That tag just carries patent numbers covering various Ford features. Car number will be on RF frame, bellhousing if V8, original engine if A.

 

Ben, if memory seves me correctly the plate you are referring to is a patent plate and simply lists patent numbers which may have been relevant to the car you have. This is really of no help to you at all. However, all Fords that I am aware of should have a serial number stamped into the top of the driver's side frame rail just in front of the cowl. The transmission also had a matching serial number on the inspection plate. As I said, this is only my memory and I only am referring to '32 and later Fords. If the serial number begins with an O1A the Ford you have would be a 1940. If it is an 91A it would be a 1939, an 81A a 1938, etc. Perhaps, as my memory is really fading here someone else can help with specific serial numbers.

Hope this helps.

 

Ben, What year do you think it is? Any photos?

 

Thanks guys. This car isn't on the original rails and has a engine/tranny from a '53 merc, so I guess its beginnings will always be a mystery.

-Ben

ps - I'll get some pics up tonight.

 

On the other side of the firewall, drivers side, there may a be a stamping of the build date, at least my 28 does.

Rich

 

Rich, is the stamping right into the firewall its self, or on a tag? It's dark now... I'll look tomorrow.

Here is a picture. It's on a shortened 53 merc chassis. I'll be building a 32 chassis w/ beam axle & split bones but I plan on keeping the merc 'Y'-block. My Grandpa built this in the '60s and it was handed down to me by my uncle.

-Ben

 

Model A for sure- 28 or 29 according to the reveal in front of the door. Looks too long to be a roadster though- maybe it was a sport coupe - but the door is roadster for sure. We need some better pics, like a front side angle of the door and cowl. Evan

 

its a 28 or 29 model a the build date should be stamped on the left side of firewall (front of gas tank)just above the bolted together seam.

 

looks like an old sport coupe I used to know. Farmer (friend of family) took a sport coupe '29 and cut the top off. This one looks similar. but didnt have the tank out the back and it was black.

A deluxe roadster windshield would make that look WICKED.

nice find.

 

its a 29 roadster body...28 doesnt have door handles
the chassis of a 53 merc would have had a flathead...must be a 54 as thats the year they went to overhead
looks like a nice solid body

Zach

 

I agree with SUHRsc, it's a 29 roadster. The bead along the bottom of the body, removable windshield stanchions, and door handles. Sport coupes didn't have the bead along bottom edge and had a fixed windshield.
Red

 

Thanks everybody,
I knew it was an A (not a deuce) roadster but had no idea what year. I'll look for that gas tank stamping. Thanks for the help. I'm going to put it up in storage for a few months until my shop is built (I just moved) and then I'll start a project blog.

Thanks again,
-Ben