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Model A Instruction Books

By Rick Black
Las Cruces NM

US Manuals | US Reprints | Non-US Manuals


US Versions

There were at least 13 different versions of the Ford Model A Instruction Book published for US-built cars and trucks: 5 in 1928, 2 in 1929, 4 in 1930, and 2 in 1931. The following paragraphs outline the differences in the manuals so that owners of Model A Fords looking for a manual that matches the production date of their vehicles can identify which version might have been supplied with the vehicle when new.

The first and easiest way to identify the manuals is to look for the copyright date, which was always printed on the first or second page of the manual (although the first 4-5 pages were unnumbered.) Once you have identified the correct year, the version can be ascertained by noting the pictures in the manuals.

Consult the MAFCA/MARC Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards, Area 17 - Tools, for additional information.

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1928192919301931

1928 - Five versions - Copyright Date is 1928 on page 2.
Refer to Page 7 Figure 2 - Instruments and Control Levers
        and Page 15 Figure 6 - Transmission and Clutch

Version 1

  • Figure 2 - emergency brake to the left of the driver's compartment
  • Figure 2 - a round gear shift knob

Version 2

  • Figure 2 - emergency brake to the left of the driver's compartment
  • Figure 2 - a mushroom gear shift knob.

Version 3

  • Figure 2 - emergency brake in front of the shift lever
  • Figure 2 - squeeze grip emergency brake handle
  • Figure 6 - the multiple disk clutch - View Photo Figure 6 [Image]

Version 4 - View Photo Figure 2 - emergency brake in front of the shift lever

  • Figure 2 - squeeze grip emergency brake handle and mushroom shift knob
  • Figure 6 - shows the single disk clutch

Version 5 Figure 2 - emergency brake in front of the shift lever

  • Figure 2 - push button emergency brake handle and round gear shift knob
  • Figure 6 - shows the single disk clutch

1929 - Two versions - Copyright Date is 1929 on page 2.
Refer to Page 7 - Figure 2 - Instruments and Control Levers

Version 1

  • Emergency brake is forward of the gear shift lever

Version 2

  • Emergency brake is to the right of the gear shift lever

1930 - Two versions - Copyright Date is 1930 on page 1.

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Refer to Page 7 Figure 2 - Instruments and Control Levers

Left image: Version 1 - Instrument panel has oval speedometer

Right image: Version 2 - Instrument panel has round speedometer

There were two other versions printed that included AA information that was not in the first two versions.


1931 - Two original versions (See "Reprints" below) - Copyright Date is 1931 on page 1.

bookbook

Refer to Page 20, Figure 11 - Fuel System
        and Page 22, Figure 12 - CarburetorVersion 1 (early 1931)

  • Page 20 Figure 11 - Gas Tank/engine - Fuel Shutoff Valve on passenger side of the firewall under the gas tank and sediment bowl attached to firewall.
  • Page 22 Figure 12 - Carburetor - no sediment bowl. Gasoline inlet at front of carburetor.

 

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Version 2 (Late 1931)

  • Page 20 Figure 11- Gas Tank/Engine - Fuel Shutoff Valve on indented firewall.
  • Page 22 Figure 12- Filter bowl is attached to carburetor. Gasoline inlet in center of carburetor.

US Reprints

1928 Reprint Original 1931 Book 1931 Reprint

Originally distributed by Keith Johnson, Duluth, MN - 2019 sells on eBay from "worldinspector"
1928 Reprint (Version 3)
1929 Reprint (Version 2)

1930 Reprint (Version 2)

1931 Reprint (Version 2)

Title page has year of the manual in large type
Copyright page has "Reproduced under license of Ford Motor Company 1994" in small print

Ford Logo and Ford Script are the original size.
Paper used on this reprint is semi-glossy like the originals.
These are very hard to tell from an original except for the differences noted above.


1928 Reprint (Version 4) Reprinted by Lincoln Publishing, Lockport NY.
1928 Reprint (Version 5) Reprinted by Polyprints, San Francisco CA
1928 Reprint (Version 5) - Reprinted by Polyprints, San Francisco CA


1931 Version 2 (Late) manual - Reprinted by Polyprints, San Francisco, CA
1931 Version 2 (Late) manual - No evidence of name of reprinter.

Last Updated: 11/15/2021
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