Ford Model A (1927)

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See also Ford Model A (1903)

Ford Model A

Automotive industry	Ford Motor Company
Production	1927–1931 4,849,340 made
Assembly	Detroit, Michigan Cologne, Germany Buenos Aires, Argentina
Predecessor	Ford Model T
Successor	Ford Model B
Car classification	Full-size Ford
Car body style	A – Chassis Convertible Sedan (A-400) Business Coupe Coupe Deluxe Coupe Sport Coupe Standard Coupe Deluxe Coupe Standard Fordor Sedan (car) - Murray Standard Fordor Sedan - Briggs Deluxe Fordor Sedan - Murray Deluxe Fordor Sedan - Briggs Leatherback Fordor Sedan Standard Fordor Sedan – Slant windshield Mail Truck Panel Truck Phaeton 2-door Phaeton 4-door Deluxe Service Pickup Roadster Pickup Pickup truck Deluxe Pickup Standard Roadster Deluxe Roadster Sport Roadster Station Wagon Taxi Cab Town Car Town Car Delivery Standard Tudor Sedan Deluxe Tudor Sedan Victoria Wood Panel Delivery Station wagon
Automobile layout	FR layout
Automobile platform	A Chassis
Internal combustion engine	201 CID (3.3 L) L-head-4
Transmission (mechanics)	3-speed sliding gear
Wheelbase	103.5 in (2629 mm)
Length	165 in (4191 mm)
Width	67 in (1702 mm)
Curb weight	2,265 lb (1,027 kg)
Fuel capacity	10 US gallons (37.9 L; 8.3 imp gal) 11 US gallons (41.6 L; 9.2 imp gal)
Related	Ford Model AF Ford Model AA
Automotive design	Henry Ford and Edsel Ford

The Ford Model A (1927 - 1931) 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 Model A name back in 1903) was designated as a 1927 model and was available in four standard colors, but not black.

The successor to the Model A was the Model B which featured an updated 4-cylinder engine, followed by the Model 18 which introduced Ford's new V8 engine.

Features

Prices for the Model A ranged from US$385 for a roadster to $1400 for the top-of-the-line Town Car. The engine was an Cam-in-block Straight-4 with a displacement of 201 cubic inches (3.3 L). This engine gave the car 40 horsepower (30 kW). Typical fuel consumption was between 25 and 30 Mpg (U.S.) (8 to 12 kilometres per litre or 12-8 L/100 km) using a Zenith one-barrel up-draft carburetor, with a top speed of around 65 mph (104 km/h). It had a 103.5 in (2629 mm) wheelbase with a gear ratio of 3.77:1. The transmission was a 3-speed sliding gear unit with a 1-speed reverse. The Model A had 4-wheel mechanical drum brakes. The 1930 and 1931 editions came with stainless steel radiator cowling and headlamp housings.

The Model A came in a wide variety of styles: Coupe (Standard and Deluxe), Business Coupe, Sport Coupe, Roadster Coupe (Standard and Deluxe[1] ), Convertible Cabriolet (automobile), Convertible Sedan (car), Phaeton (Standard and Deluxe), Tudor (Standard and Deluxe [2]), Town Car, Fordor (2-window) (Standard and Deluxe), Fordor (3-window) (Standard and Deluxe), Victoria, Station Wagon, Taxicab, Truck, and Commercial.

The Model A was the first Ford to use the standard set of driver controls, with conventional clutch and brake pedals, throttle and gearshift; previous Ford models used controls that had become out of date and uncommon to drivers of other makes. The Model A's fuel tank was located in the cowl, between the engine compartment's fire wall and the dash panel. It had an optic fuel gauge and the fuel was distributed to the carburetor by gravity. In cooler climates, owners could purchase an Aftermarket (automotive) cast iron unit to place over the engine's exhaust manifold to bring heated air into the cab. A small door could be opened or closed to adjust the amount of hot air entering the cab. Model A was the first car to have safety glass in the windshield.

When production ended in March, 1932, there were 4,849,340 Model A's made in all styles. It was replaced by an updated model called the Ford Model B and by the new V-8.

The Soviet Union company GAZ, which started as a cooperation between Ford and the Soviet Union, made a licensed version of the Model A from 1932-36.

In addition to the United States, Ford made the Model A in plants in Canada, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Film and media

The Ford Model A. was well represented in media of the era since it was one of the most common cars. In modern times, it has reappeared, most notably in the remake of the film King Kong as taxi cabs and police cars. Students asked to build models of cars from the 1920s and 1930s will also find that models of these cars are still available from hobby shops in the 2000s, as stock cars or modified hot rods.

The most famous single Model A is Ala Kart, a Custom car 1929 Roadster pickup built by George Barris which won two straight "America's Most Beautiful Roadster" awards at the Oakland Roadster Show before making numerous film and television appearances.

A 1928 Model A was driven by Hector Quevedo from his home town of Punta Arenas, Chile, Chile to Ford Motor Company headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. Quevedo was joined by his son Hugo. The journey lasted over two years, from October 1992 to December 1994, and covered nearly 22,000 miles (35,000 km). The car required minimal service including a flat tire and transmission work in Nicaragua. The car is now housed in the Henry Ford Museum.^[1]

Gallery

1928 Ford Model A Business Coupe	1929 Ford Model A Roadster Rumbleseat Street Rod	1929 Model A Tudor.	MO 1929.
1930 Sport Coupe, The Ramblin' Wreck leads the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets onto Bobby Dodd Stadium.	1930 Ford A Tudor Sedan	1930 Ford A Tudor Sedan	1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Coupe
1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Tudor Sedan	Lineup of Ford Model A's.	GAZ-A photographed outside the GAZ plant in 1951.	Ford Model A at Brooklands Museum, Weybridge (April 2004)
1930 Ford Model A	1930 Ford Model A	1930 Ford Model A

References

1. ↑ Cardinale, Anthony. Chileans on a Roll in Vintage Car Trek Detroit-Bound Model A Ford Arrives Here After 21,700 Miles. Buffalo News. Buffalo, N.Y.: November 30, 1994 pg. A.1.

External links

• Model A Ford Reference Sheet, Owners Manual, and Help - [3]
• Model A Ford Club of America - [4]
• Model A Restorers Club - [5]
• Ford Model AA Truck Club - [6]
• A-Ford Club Nederland - [7]
• Ford Model A at the Open Directory Project
• Follow Henry As We Tour The Long Beach Assembly Plant circa 1930