ABarnyard Part Numbers - Ford Model A Restorers Club

Updated 03/25/99

Understanding Model A Part Numbers

This August 1, 1929 chassis *Parts Price List* was typical of Model A parts books

Throughout Model A production various parts books were sent to the dealers to inform them of parts availability, changes and pricing. The parts books were separated into three categories. The first was the Parts Price List, which covered chassis part numbers, descriptions, quantity, and prices. The second was the Body Parts List, which covered body part numbers and descriptions. The last was the Body Parts Price List, which listed prices by part number only. For a list of parts books applicable to U.S. production, see below or click HERE.

During Model A production, periodic updates were released including twelve chassis Parts Price Lists and five Body Parts Lists. Many changes in Model A components can be dated (approximately) using the various parts books. The key is not only the addition of new numbers, but the addition or changes of suffix letters. In the following example the carburetor adjusting rod (commonly known as the choke rod) is shown with the listings from all the applicable parts books.

EXAMPLE:

Parts Price List Date:	Part Number:	Description and Explanation:
Jan-01-28	A-9700	Carburetor adjusting rod (choke rod)
Oct-01-28	A-9700-AR	Same item “A” suffix added indicates there is a new design carrying the “B” suffix “R” suffix added indicates that this version is no longer used in production
Oct-01-28	A-9700-B	New design – as shown above, replaces old rod A-9700
Jun-01-29	No Change	No Change
Aug-01-29	No Change	No Change
Oct-01-29	No Change	No Change
Dec-01-29	No Change	No Change
Mar-01-30	A-9700-AR A-9700-BR A-9700-C	Original design – Still listed and available through service “R” suffix added to the “B” indicates no longer used in production “C” suffix indicates it is a third version – Currently used in production
Jun-15-30	No Change	No Change
Oct-20-30	No Change	No Change
Feb-01-31	No Change	No Change
Jul-01-31	No Change	No Change

Some parts were obsoleted without having a similar replacement. EXAMPLE:
A-2473 Brake equalizer operating shaft pin

When the brake system was redesigned eliminating the need for this part in late 1928 it became: A-2473-R Brake equalizer operating shaft pin

The “R” suffix again showing that it was no longer used in production, but available through service.

Suffix changes such as A,B,C,D only occurred when a part was redesigned significantly enough to make it incompatible with associated components. Minor redesigns didn’t require a change in the part number, therefore, can only be dated with the use of Ford records, blueprints, Service Bulletins, Branch letters and observations of original cars.

Other parts books are thought to exist. The above list is a complete list of those books confirmed by the editor.
Ford Model “A” Parts Books
Chassis Parts Books
Title	Date	Part Number & Desc.	Part Number & Price	Model “A”	Model “AA”
Parts Price List	Jan. 1, 1928
	Apr. 15, 1928
	Oct. 1, 1928
	Jun. 1, 1929
	Aug. 1, 1929
	Oct. 1, 1929
	Dec. 1, 1929
	Mar. 1, 1930
	Jun. 15, 1930
	Oct. 20, 1930
	Feb. 1, 1931
	Jul. 1, 1931
	Dec. 20, 1932
Body Parts Books
Body Parts Price List	May 1, 1928
Body Parts Price List	Dec. 1, 1928
Body Parts List	Nov. 15, 1929
Body Parts Price List	Jan. 1, 1930
Body Parts List	Aug. 15, 1930
	Nov. 1, 1930
	May 1, 1931
	Apr. 1, 1932

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