Body Style Model Numbers and Their Purpose

1928 Phaeton – Model 35-A

Most folks in the Model ‘A’ hobby are aware of Ford assigned model numbers to the various body styles, and are usually familiar with at least the number associated with the car or cars that they own. At first glance the various model numbers appear somewhat random. They are anything but random and indeed serve a purpose!

It’s all about the parts! Ford had a very well thought out parts numbering system. The body model numbers were a crucial part of that system.

If you’ve ever looked at a chassis parts price list you will find that the numbers for the chassis (running gear) alone range from approximately 1,000 through 19,000. These of course are broken down into major categorized sub-groups such as 1,000 through 1,999, 2,000 through 2,999, 3,000 through 3,999, etc.

Next was the “Standard Parts” category which was comprised of bolts, nuts, washers, wood screws, rivets, etc. These utilized numbers between 20,000-24,999 but was expanded beyond that number in later years.

Ford clearly had some foresight here and left a bit of a gap before the first “body type” number. The first body type number was 35-A (and later the 35-B) which was the Phaeton. The Phaeton body (#35) was comprised of parts that spanned the numbers 35,000-39,000.

The next body type in the sequence was the Roadster at #40. The Roadster shared many parts with the Phaeton such as the cowl, doors, windshield, etc. Since those Phaeton parts retained Phaeton numbers throughout, the Roadster required somewhat fewer parts under the Roadster numbers for a complete body. The Roadster used numbers 40,000-43,900.

The last example includes the 45-A Coupe and 49-A Special Coupe. The 45-A used numbers (approximate} 45,000-48,500. The 49-A Special Coupe was an offshoot of the Coupe, requiring only a small percentage of new or different parts. These used numbers 49,050-49,107

Initially Ford numbered the commercial models after the passenger models. However as new, distinctly different passenger models were introduced (primarily from outside suppliers), the model numbers became sequentially intertwined.

Below is a complete list of bodies “by number”, including a couple that went through the entire development process but never went into production.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT COMMERCIAL MODELS
With the exception of Panel Delivery type models (both “A” and “AA”), All commercial models required a minimum of Two bodies. The first being the Cab (Open or Closed), and the second being the “bed” or whatever was used at the rear. An example of a third “body” would be Stake Racks.

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