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Wikipedia: Ford Model A (1903–04)
Wikipedia: Ford Model A (1927–31) Subtopics Model A Restorers Club Page Sections History Photographs Article Index Documents Merchandise |
History
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Ford Model A (1903–04) and Ford Model A (1927–31) pages on 16 June 2016, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
1903–04
The original Ford Model A is the first car produced by Ford, beginning production in 1903. Ernest Pfennig, a Chicago dentist, became the first owner of a Model A on July 23, 1903. 1,750 cars were made from 1903 through 1904 during Ford's occupancy of its first facility: the Ford Mack Avenue Plant, a modest rented wood frame building on Detroit's East Side. The Model A was replaced by the Ford Model C during 1904 with some sales overlap.
The car came as a two-seater runabout for $800 or the $900 four-seater tonneau model with an option to add a top. The horizontal-mounted flat-2, situated amidships of the car, produced 8 hp (6 kW). A planetary transmission was fitted with two forward speeds and reverse, a Ford signature later seen on the Ford Model T. The car weighed 1,240 lb (562 kg) and could reach a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h). It had a 72 inch (1.8 m) wheelbase and sold for a base price of US$750. Options included a rear tonneau with two seats and a rear door for $100, a rubber roof for $30 or a leather roof for $50. Band brakes were used on the rear wheels. However, it was $150 more than its most direct competitor, the Oldsmobile Curved Dash, and so did not sell as well.
The company had spent almost its entire $28,000 initial investment funds with only $223.65 left in its bank account when the first Model A was sold. The success of this car model generated a profit for the Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford's first successful business.
Although Ford advertised the Model A as the "most reliable machine in the world", it suffered from many problems common to vehicles of the era, including overheating and slipping transmission bands. The Model A was sold only in red by the factory, though some were later repainted in other colors.
Some 1904 Model A cars were equipped with the larger, more powerful engine of the Model C and were sold as the Model AC.
1927–31
The Ford Model A (also colloquially called the A-Model Ford or the A, and A-bone among rodders and customizers), was the second huge success for the Ford Motor Company, after its predecessor, the Model T. First produced on October 20, 1927, but not sold until December 2, it replaced the venerable Model T, which had been produced for 18 years. This new Model A (a previous model had used the name in 1903–04) was designated a 1928 model and was available in four standard colors.
By 4 February 1929, one million Model As had been sold, and by 24 July, two million. The range of body styles ran from the Tudor at US$500 (in grey, green, or black) to the Town Car with a dual cowl at US$1200. In March 1930, Model A sales hit three million, and there were nine body styles available.
Model A production ended in March, 1932, after 4,858,644 had been made in all body styles. Its successor was the Model B, which featured an updated 4-cylinder engine, as well as the Model 18, which introduced Ford's new flathead (sidevalve) V8 engine.
| Date | Article | Author/Source |
|---|---|---|
| 25 March 2011 | The Ford Model A: How It All Began | William Jason |
| 25 May 2016 | Tail Lights: One Grade "A" Collection | Bill Crittenden |
| Date | Document Name & Details | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| August 1961 | Four in a Row and How They Go: Ford Model "A" "B" "C" 1928-1934 Western Racing Equipment | PNG format - 46MB - 8 pages |
| 29 July 1962 | International Model A Reunion Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village | PNG format - 40MB - 6 pages |
| Type & Item # | Name | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Model Kit - AMT 38679 | Vintage Police Car | Ford Model A  |
| Model Kit - Revell H-1324 | Woodstock | 1:25 scale "'30 Model A Ford Woody" |
