Ford entered the truck business in 1917 by introducing the TT, 124” wheel base, one ton, chassis. Seven years later, in 1924, complete TT trucks (with both a cab and cargo body) were offered by Ford. TT truck production continued through mid 1927.

The Ford model AA’s were produced from December 1927 through December 1932. The initial AA chassis had a 131-1/2” wheel base. Starting in mid 1930 Ford also offered a 157” AA wheel base chassis. A 112” AA wheel base, Standrive, chassis was introduced in August 1931.

There were 49 different body types and 15 factory optional equipment types used on these three AA chassis.

The Ford Motor Company Assembly Record Type (FMC ART) ledgers were acquired and analyzed to determine production counts for the AA’s. The results of the analysis are documented in the form of tables found at the Body Types page. Most individual body type pages have a production table at the beginning of the page (as extracted from the Body Type page).

The term “Ford Model AA” was coined because Ford assigned an “AA” model prefix to any chassis or body part number which was unique to the 1-1/2 ton Ford commercial vehicles (i.e. these were parts not used with the Ford passenger or commercial A-chassis). Example: The 1st wheel = part 1015. Consequently, A-1015 = 1st Model A wheel and AA-1015 = 1st Model AA wheel.

This same type of part number identification applied to the prior model TT’s and the subsequent model BB’s. Thus there was the “Ford Model TT” and the “Ford Model BB”. In some cases Ford used the term “Truck” for the model AA and “Light Delivery Car” for the model A commercial vehicles.

1/29 – AA’s with Emergency Brakes – AA’s without emergency brakes were produced through 1928 (some into early 1929).

9/29 – AA’s with 4-Speed Transmission – The A-chassis 3-speed transmission was used through 8/29.

1/30 – AA’s with Optional Dual Wheels – With the conversion to a heavy-duty front end and spiral bevel rear end, the optional dual rear wheels were offered on the AA platform trucks.

6/30 – “B” Suffixed Body Types – new body type:

76-B Open Cab; 82-B Closed Cab; 85-B Panel Delivery

The most common AA cab and cargo body combination sold by Ford is shown in the drawings below. Shown are the two basic cab and platform AA trucks that rolled off the assembly lines. The open cab was also offered starting in May 1928 but had a much lower production volume.

The 1929 AA Platform shown has the 12/27—6/30 Closed Cab (type 82-A) with 12/27—2/31 Platform (type 88-A). This AA is shown with rear fenders that were a factory production option through mid-1929 only.

Prior to 2/29, this AA would have had steel spoke wheels.

Starting 1/30, this AA would have had five spoke disk wheels like the 1930 AA Platform shown.

A 1930 AA Platform truck is shown. It has the 82-B Closed Cab that was used 6/30—6/32. The platform is the same type 88-A cargo body. It was the production platform through 2/31 for the 131-1/2” wheelbase AA’s.

Ford offered stake racks, grain sides, and stock racks as additional equipment for the platform. In addition, many AA platform trucks were fit with aftermarket sides by independent body suppliers (IBS) as well.

Ford offered an express and panel delivery truck as shown in the drawings below. The 1929 AA Express has the 89-A Express, open cargo body and 82-A Closed Cab (used through 6/30). The 89-A was replaced, starting 1/31, with the 195-A Express. The type 85-A Panel Delivery was in production from 8/28—6/30. A new panel delivery design (type 85-B) was introduced in 6/30. The only closed AA body types offered by Ford through 1930 were the panel delivery types 85-A and 85-B. The platform (with or without racks or sides), express, and panel delivery AA’s made up the bulk of the production line AA trucks.

Starting in late 1930, Ford offered AA trucks with dump, coal, and garbage bodies as complete units. In addition, starting in 1931, Ford expanded the AA production line to include a host of additional open and closed bodies. These were low production units such as the service car, ambulance, and bus. Some of these body types were carried forward for production into the 1932 BB truck line.

Ford sold the AA as a cab and chassis or as a chassis only. These units were fit with a wide variety of bodies and equipment supplied by various independent body suppliers (IBS).

The site tour below provides an overview of the Ford Model AA’s. The tour consists of a set of site links (see below). Clicking a link will open a new tab or window (depends on your browser’s personal settings).

After the information/gallery is viewed for a given link, close the tab/window to return to this tour so that the next link can be clicked.