This subject recently appeared on one of the Model A message boards. It was about if there really was a 3 window Model A coupe. This is what appears to be a factory prototype going by the professional photography and quality of the build. Check out the proportions they are excellent and no it isn't a photoshop! Unfortunatly no information is known about this car. There are no factory records or evidence to suggest that this vehicle still exists. If it was a factory prototype then it was most properly crushed anyway. Heres another early shot, but to me this doesn't look like the same car. The whole roof line seems to be different more rounded and also the windscreen has slanted posts were the previous one has straight screen posts.Also just to be real sad the first one has a '30 grille shell with the second having a '31. Yet another shot, this time from the '74 MAFCA meet. Notice the B roof line, B bumper overriders, B rear quarters and 18' B wheels. Could this have been a cut and shut job with an A coupe and a (crashed?) 3 window B coupe to copy the factory prototypes? There is talk of the car being built for Edsel Ford which sounds logical as he had many 'special' cars built for him but we will properly never know.......
I have a book that touches on this subject. I'll have to dig it out and see what it said, because I don't remember... The book I have may be the same book that the Photos are from, because they look like the same ones I've seen...
Cool!!!! Seen those pix before .. The firts car has `29 coupe/roadster rear quarter-panels , the other two pix is of the same car ( one-off rear quarters ). A guy working in the Design-department bought it , and used it as his daily driver for years .., Then , it re-surfaced in the early seventies .
funny, because they were never produced, they just don't look Ford to me. the first picture makes me think Oldsmobile, even though I can see it is an A Paul
When you think about it , ... It ain`t so hard too belive . The `32 3W was a result of the design-studies you can see above . Makes sense . BTW .. If I remember this correctly , the "`31" was actually a `30 done just ahead of the `31 model-Release
I saw an article on the A three windows in a Model A club magazine a couple of years ago. Gave the mag away and don't remember much of the story, but I think three were made??? Did you get the emails?
You know, Ive read about these before, although I dont remember where... I remember reading about how everyone says they were never made, but actually a handfull were produced. Thats why I remeber it, cuz it was talking about how everyone who said they werent real were wrong. I just dont remember where I read it.... -J.
Imagine what those are/would be worth. They look strange to me, I dont like 'em. But then again I like the '32 5 window better than the 3 window also.
There was a color photo of one of these in a club magazine, faded red body with black fenders. Anybody notice the 28-29 headlights on the first one, and the missing battery?
There were definitely two different factory prototypes (atleast) with surviving photos in the Ford archives--someone on Ahooga.com posted the pics together a couple of years ago. I had the same reaction--"That doesn't look like a Ford!" I don't know if that's because it just didn't match my production car memories or whether it was actually the styling--to me, the prototypes both looked just a touch archaic, like '27-28 GM styling more than 1931 Ford. One of the great things about olde Fords is the incredible variety of car and commercial body variants in the thirties!
[ QUOTE ] There was a color photo of one of these in a club magazine, faded red body with black fenders. Anybody notice the 28-29 headlights on the first one, and the missing battery? [/ QUOTE ] Was this the one? Heres some detail shots. This was taken from an 1990 issue of The Restorer. Notice the smooth rear quarters, the rolled pan below the decklid and the lack of join in the roof.
The windshield upright and area leading into the top looks like a 30/31 Victoria which would lead me to think Ford had the prototype built by Briggs or (can't remember the other company name)_______, one built leatherback vics and one did steel backs. A Vicky cowl and door would be a good start to custon build an A 3 window. Charlie
One thing you learn about early Fords is that nothing is set in stone. There were lots of variations. Also they tended to use up stock before they started on the new parts. You can almost date a Model A right down to the month it was made by variations in things like steering wheel color, dash style, steps for running boards, fuel pet****s, etc. They also used outside vendors to keep up with demand. Briggs bodies, etc. Making one-offs, design studies and special cars for certain companies or people wasn't all that rare. Most of the wierd bodies were in the commercial vehicles. I thought all A pickup cabs were the same until I saw some 31's didn't have roof inserts. Seeing a 3 window A doesn't really surprise me. Especially a 31. Remember the 32 was late into production for various reasons and the 31 model year actually stayed in production until about April of 32. My great uncle used to brag about his 32 Model A pickup. It had the big bed, steel roof, different style fuel pet****, and I think it had the new 4 cyl engine and carb as well. Lots of differences between his truck and a normal 31.
[ QUOTE ] The windshield upright and area leading into the top looks like a 30/31 Victoria which would lead me to think Ford had the prototype built by Briggs or (can't remember the other company name)_______, one built leatherback vics and one did steel backs. A Vicky cowl and door would be a good start to custon build an A 3 window. Charlie [/ QUOTE ] I have owned two model A vickys,,,one of each,,,the other was a Murry body,,,and you took the words outta my mouth,,,,It appears to be a vicky cowl and door ,,they are about 3" lower and almost 12" longer than a coupe door,,,the rear of the top has the victoria shape!.HRP
Checkout the 1931 DeSoto 3 Window in the HAMB cl***ifieds, looks like a lot of the features come close to matching.
a quick slice and dice, stretch the door five or six inches move the cowl back three or four inches chop the top two or three inches lower the whole thing six or seven inches Paul
I also recall some company making gl*** 3w model A bodies a few years ago... I say ads for a while in the magazines....
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