History Model A two-door (deluxe) Phaetons, anyone have one?

I remember seeing one on the old TV show 77 Sunset Strip, first time I ever saw a 2 door phaeton. If I remember correctly, it had a dropped axle and fold down windshield and looked so awesomely cool when I was a kid lusting after a hot rod. Also I think there was one in the old movie Hot Rods from Hell. I have never seen a real one in person though.

 

Here is a Gibbon bodied one that we built in 1979, went to Branson a few years ago.

 

T-bird, Doane Spencer had one in the 30's with a Duvall windshield, really cool...




And when I was a kid they used one on 77 Sunset Strip that was neat...

 

Looks like Spencer used '32 Chevrolet hood sides or at least the side vents- nice touch!

 

That 3 door hood was a Model A aftermarket accessorie, Rootlieb did or dose make a reproduction.

 

Ok, Next question. Was this model made in 1928-29? Or just 30-31?

 

Only 30/31. My brother had the cowl from one for a while. IIRC the only thing different from a regular roadster cowl was the lower subframe area, which attached to the wood subframe. And the special body tag (which was probably worth more than the cowl itself).

 

Oh man, how COOL is that!!! WOW!


Curbspeed, it's a 30-31 only deal, at least according to "Henry's Lady".

I gotta find one of these...

 

Thanks for the info Bob- have fun at Hershey (but don't eat TOO much Italian with Doug)!

 

HAHAHA! That's funny, you should post that pic on the A.D.D. thread just to mess with them!

 

The Towe Ford Museum in Sacramento had one,....and it was a right hand drive. That might be a good resource to learn how many were built, and where they were built.

4TTRUK

 

I think they were only made in 1931. very low production numbers...

 

My avitar is my '31 180A. Let's see if I can post a picture....

 

Not to be too disputive, but that is the one I was talking about earlier that I have seen atributed to Duvalle...

 

every one I have ever seen has the recess in the firewall indicating it's a '31

 

Yes, Gibbon did make them. I believe all the cowl dementions are the same as a roadster. I was able to find one that was bought from Gibbon 20 years ago and just sat. The key is to remove their firewall and replace it with a real one.

 

In 1930 the Deluxe Phaeton[180A] came out in early June. A total of 3945 were made and in 1931 2229. There's about less then 200 in our 180A club listed world wide. [Weedburner] I sold Art a steel original body last year at Hershey and he was from Cal. He also had a fiberglass body never used forsale i believe ... Chevyburb,[Don's] [picture in black at Salt lake flats is a steel body car. I had owned 2 Deluxe Phaetons at one time.I 'll have mine at Hershey this year going for its forth Pres.Award and won the Henry Ford Award and a MARC of Excellence award at the MARC National meet in French Lick ID. [MARC= Model "A' Restores Club. Hard car to do when it comes to the rear tub.

 

seriously, why the fuck would someone think that looks nice?

 

Technique trumps taste in a lot of custom paint shops...

 

Good info, peters. I'll have to check yours out at hershey!

 

One of my favorite Model As

 

Peter, Welcome to the HAMB! Great to have a knowledgeable 180A guy here. Hope all the HAMB members stop by to see your car at Hershey, perfect example of how a car looked in the showroom in 1930.

 

That's funny you mentioned the tag. I actually did sell the special tag off the cowl for more than I sold the rest of the cowl (see picture). A guy in I believe Illinois had a real body but it was missing the tag. The cowl was sold to a guy building a roadster.

 

159-5764 , was somewhere in mid to late 1931... the lowest # 180A is a unrestored car #159-528 and the latest known is #159-7503 ,,, Your 159-5764 tag was not used yet. ???maybe someone out of the club.

 

We must have got the odd one here in New Zealand. I sold my rodded 30 coupe around 20 years ago and was looking for another project. There was a project 2 door phaeton for sale in the South Island and a fully restored one 30 minutes away. I went to look at the restored one to check out what might be needed for the project. Never bought the project car and don't believe I have seen either again.

 

The Model A Ford Deluxe Phaeton 180A was a unique car designed by Briggs and Edsel and built in the Brigg's shop. The first prototype was in production in April or May of 30 and the first one sold in June of 30. The records on the car at Ford are scarce because Briggs did the work. The car was not a great seller - as it was hardly advertised - and most of the bodies ended up being assembled and sent to Argentina and Holland. There are a few with indented (after June of 31) firewalls but these are an exception and may have been refitted with the gas tank and the firewall as a kit described in the Ford Service Bulletins of June 31. I think the most beautiful hot rod was a white 180A fitted to a 50 or 60 model chassis and a ford V8. It is still in existence in Pennsylvania and was featured in a Model A magazine written in 1963 or so. It was truly a knock out. If I can remember where it is, I will post it.
Finally, I have two 180As that I will sell complete and restored. They are not cheap but if you are interested, give me a call at 434 960 1927. Swoff

 

Ah, here it is...it was published in "model A" a handbook by HOT ROD magazine. And it featured The Fabulous Ford Phaeton built owned at that time by Charles Mayenschein, but built by his father or brother, Henry Mayenschein.

http://www.efairborn.com/people/Mayenschein/Phaeton.htm

Enjoy...by the way, does anyone still have that Handbook? I bought mine in 1962 with intentions of building a 31 Tudor into a hot rod...however, I went another way but still maintain a deep appreciation for those that weld and bend steel into these great street machines.

Swoff

 

Yup, I have mine!

 

Model A Handbook, just found my copy the other day, one of those magazines I bought new back in the 1960's and it always brings back great memories. Got to see a few of the featured cars over the years, and meet some of the people. Not everyone got credit for the work that went into that handbook. Bob

 

So are the doors the same length as a roadster or are they longer?