The car on the left is older. The radiator shell is the easiest indicator of the 1928-29 style. The headlights, fenders and bumper can also provide some clues.
Although the tops look similar. The cabriolet top retracts, whereas the sport coupe top does not. The cabriolet has a different windshield frame and no sun visor. The car on the right is the cabriolet.
The car on the right is the newer car. Notice the indented firewall. Also, the 1928-29 cars will have a seem in the firewall where the gas tank is mounted.
The car on the left was produced before 1929. The hand brake is mounted in front of the gear shifter, whereas later cars the brake was moved to the right of the shift lever.
The vertical flutes in the headlight on the left is the indicator that this is for a '28 car.
The pan on the right is the newer oil pan. The 1928-29's had an oil pan clean out access plate.
The quail on the left has the thermometer embedded into it.
Although you cannot see the steering column very well, the shape of the steering wheel spokes, horn button, as well as the instrument panel are the things to check. The car on the right has the newer column.
The taillight on the left is considered a drum taillight. Notice the straight sides as compared to the tapered teacup style on the right.
If you recognized Gemma in the passenger seat, then this one is a dead giveaway. If you are not familiar with the year of Howard's car, pay attention to the radiator shell, the '31's had a painted insert in the top of the radiator whereas the '30's have stainless steel all the way across.
The wheel on the left only has 4 lugs, whereas Model A's have 5 lugs. If you are a Shay owner, then you would want the wheel on the left. However, if you are wanting one for your Model A, you will want the one on the right.
In the photos below, you can see where some of our members eye's were focusing while they attempted to answer the questions. The blue circles are where the eyes focused and the number represents the milliseconds the eyes were in that spot. The yellow lines trace the movement of the eyes from point to point.
