Model A Ford Diagonal Grain Artificial Leather – Page 1

Well preserved samples of Diagonal grain pyroxylin. The sample on the left is 1930-31 “gray-brown”. The sample on the right is 1931 “tan”

This view shows the rolled pattern or texture. Note the surface grain is the same on both of the above samples.

The first Diagonal grain artificial leather was designed to simulate the whipcord interlined fabric used the first half of 1928. It was introduced on the 50-A Sport Coupe in early 1929 and used an all Sport Coupes thereafter. The Diagonal grain was also designated for use on the roadster in early March 1929, but never made it into production because it lacked the resiliency required for folding. The 1929 version was similar to the sample above left. It was made of the same brown and gray diagonal stripes with black specks, but the brown was predominant providing a light brown appearance from a distance.

In this photo we show the comparison between “tan drab interlined fabric” (left) used on all deluxe open cars, and the tan diagonal grain pyroxylin used on the Victoria (right). Note the olive drab color of both samples.

The “tan” Diagonal grain was introduced on the 1931 190-A Victoria in November 1930. As shown in the photo above, it was made to simulate the interlined fabric tops used on the Cabriolet, Deluxe Phaeton, Deluxe Roadster, and later on the Convertible Sedan. It was used on all “Leather Back” Victorias until they were replaced by the “Steel Back” version in late April/early May 1931.

For more examples of Diagonal grain and it’s use, click on the arrow for more.

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