Antique Spotlight – The Ford Model A

The Model A made its public debut on December 2, 1927, replacing the Model T. It came in seven body styles and a choice of four colors. The car ranged in price from $395 to $1400 depending on the body style chosen.

The engine is a four cylinder rated at 40 horsepower. Typical gas mileage was between 20 and 30 mpg. Top speed was around 65 mph.

The Model A was the first Ford to use the standard set of driver controls with conventional clutch and brake pedals, throttle and gearshift. The car’s fuel tank was located in the cowl, between the engine compartment's fire wall and the dash panel. The fuel in a Model A flowed to the carburetor by gravity. A rear view mirror was optional.

All Model A’s came standard with five steel spoke wheels, windshield wiper, oil gauge, starter, rear and stop light, and speedometer. It also came with it’s own tool kit, which included tire irons, open end wrenches, adjustable wrench, tire pump, grease gun, jack, pliers, and an instruction booklet. Everything fit neatly into a “snap pouch.”

Although the automobile had been invented decades before the 1920s, they were so expensive few people could afford to have one. Mass production, combined with innovations in design and sales, drove prices down and made them more affordable.

Car production exploded in the 1920s. In 1918, only 1 in 13 families owned a car. By 1929, 4 out of 5 families had one. In fact, the industry grew so fast, by 1925 over 10% of all people in the workforce had something to do with production, sales, service, or fueling of automobiles.

Production of the Model A lasted until August 1931. By that time, Ford had produced over four million Model A’s.

You can view a Model A at the following museums:

The Henry Ford
Legacy Gallery, Ford Rouge Factory Tour
Dearborn, MI

AACA Museum
(Antique Automobile Club of America)
Hershey, PA

National Automobile Museum
Reno, NV

McKinley Presidential Library & Museum
Gas Station in the Street of Shops
Canton, OH

Opening in 2013:
Model A Museum
Gilmore Car Museum
Hickory Corners, MI