Top 50 TV Cars Of All Time: No. 17, The Walton’s 1929 Ford Model AA

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A 1929 Ford Model AA pickup had a starring role in “The Waltons,” from 1972 to 1981. Photo from imcdb.org.

We are counting down the Top 50 hot rods and street cars of all time that have made an appearance in a television series, or a memorable television episode. Starting from #50, and counting down to our #1 pick, follow along with our memories, and see where your favorite show lands.

17. The Waltons: 1929 Ford Model AA Pickup

In what was considered a complete 360 in terms of direction that most series and programs featured on television in the early 1970s with the chaos of world events, Vietnam, and the Watergate scandal, “The Waltons” blazed a new path by delivering exactly what viewers were craving: simplicity, morals, wholesome values, and the celebration of the family spirit. It would grow into the hearts of viewers the world over, becoming an American institution, and still beloved today. How many of us can recall saying “Goodnight, ma, goodnight pa, goodnight John Boy … ?

Set in West Virginia on Walton’s Mountain, the life and times of the Walton family takes place during the Depression and then during World War II, providing producers with ample opportunity to (appropriately) sprinkle classic automobiles to match the show storylines season after season as the characters and timeline evolved. The vehicle for spot 17 on our countdown featured the 1929 Ford Model AA pickup used by character John Walton, Sr. (Ralph Waite) as transportation throughout the series, from 1972 to 1981.

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The original cast of the television series, “The Waltons.” Photo from www.hallmarkchannel.com.

Additional cars that appeared on the show with regularity throughout the years included a 1914 Model T ½-Ton, 1929/30 Model A Ford Coupe, 1928/1929 Ford Model A Roadster, 1930 Buick Series 60 Seven Passenger Phaeton, 1932 Ford Model B Sedan Delivery, 1932 Chevrolet Confederate Standard Coach, 1941 Plymouth Woodie station wagon, 1941 Buick Roadmaster Convertible Coupe, 1937 Packard, several Willys Jeeps and Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and many more.

About the Model AA

Henry Ford started plans for the Model A (car) and AA (truck) in 1926 as the Model T and TT were becoming obsolete. Ever the innovator, Ford was able to implement the basic chassis platform rather quickly, and the body work was sent out to other manufacturers. Notably, however, both the A and AA shared materials and parts, with the AA receiving interiors that were much more simplistic.

Photo from wikipedia.org.

The designs of the Model A shared parts and materials with the Model AA Ford, notably the body, engine and interior. As it was considered a workhorse, the AA received plainer interiors than the passenger cars did. The pickup had a longer 131.5-inch wheelbase to accommodate larger loads and heavier capacity weight, and was outfitted with a low-gear four-speed manual transmission mated to a four-cylinder, flathead 3.3-liter 201 cubic inch engine, the same engine that powered the Model A.

It was capable of reaching a max of 40 horsepower at 2,200 rpm. The difference was, the AA configuration had an up-draft carburetor, two-blade fan, mechanical water pump, six-volt generator, an electric starter (and a hand crank just in case), and a four-row radiator to accommodate heftier payloads.

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