1930 Ford Model A Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton

To some at the time, it likely seemed impossible for Ford to follow up the commercial success of the Model T. However, he would immediately hit another home run with the Model A. But while the Model T was produced for the explicit purpose of making the motorcar accessible to everyone, the Model A would be Ford's attempt at combining mass production with exclusivity.

The Model A would be an absolute hit with the public. The marriage of aesthetics and mass production has seemed to work as one million examples would be built by February of 1929. By July, just a few months later, production would top two million. Ultimately, by the time the Model A became superseded by the Model B and production ended in early 1932 nearly five million Model As would roll off the Ford assembly lines.

The Model A had been the idea of Edsel Ford. He was not interested in mass produced cars that were nothing more than appliances for people to purchase and use. Captivated and well-versed in the details of European coachwork, Edsel would champion the idea of mass produced cars that still had some character, some soul. Undoubtedly, this approach to the Model A's design would leave an impression upon the public. And the fact the Model A would be made available in nine different body types over the course of its production would certainly reflect this pursuit of Edsel's.

However, for Edsel himself, if he were to have a Model A of his own, no mass produced body, no matter how elegant and evocative would do. Therefore, when Edsel determined to have his own Model A produced he would turn to his love of European coachwork and would contract LeBaron to create something majestic in the eyes of the son of mass production. The result would be chassis number A2079701.

Edsel certainly enjoyed fine automobiles, but he too had a trained eye and would be intimately involved in many details, including model design, when he assumed the role of president in 1922. Therefore, owning fine automobiles was not anywhere near as exciting to him as the process and the challenge of building one.

Therefore, the Model A he would set out to have built wouldn't be by any means a standard Model A. Documents go to show that Edsel had initially planned to use a standard chassis but an experimental European chassis would peak his interest. And so, the standard would be cast aside for the unique.

Unique would only begin to describe what would end up being fashioned. Leaning upon the expertise of the coachbuilders LeBaron, Edsel would not be disappointed. The finished product would be a dual-cowl Sport Phaeton that was simple, and yet, very handsome.

Boasting of sweeping fenders, shortened running boards and a metal-covered rear spare the Sport Phaeton creates an illusion of having a lengthened profile. The narrow track and custom radiator, however, would certainly please Edsel's love for the artistry of master coachbuilt chassis.

The coachwork, however, would manifest an aggressive character with its raked windscreen and the lack of embellishment. To top it all off, the open body style immediately caused thoughts to run toward the ultimate luxury cars of the period, cars like Duesenberg and Lincoln. It would seem LeBaron had succeeded in marrying the two worlds together, but it shouldn't be at all surprising when Edsel, himself, had been intimately involved in just about every stage of the car's formulation.

When completed, Edsel would certainly own perhaps the most desirous Model A ever produced. Overflowing with such amenities and elegant appointments as custom-tailored splash aprons, leather, chrome door hinges and swept-back door handles, the dual-cowl Sport Phaeton certainly fit the definition of a one-off design.

Finished in 1930, the Sport Phaeton would remain in Edsel Ford's possession until his passing in 1943. Then, in the 1950s, the car would be sold to Vernon Jarvis. Jarvis was a pioneer in antique cars and had a remarkable collection. Considering Jarvis' extensive collection, it wouldn't be all that incredible that he would store the Sport Phaeton away. However, a dairy barn in Springfield, Illinois would certainly not be most peoples' first choice.

The Sport Phaeton would be all but forgotten, locked away in the dairy barn. In time, the Edsel Sport Phaeton took on something of a mythical status. Documents proved of its existence, but the actual whereabouts left many to ponder the car's fate. Even Ford Motor Company commenced a search, but would come up empty.

Decades would go by, and it seemed certain the Sport Phaeton had befallen upon some unfortunate and calamitous fate. But then, in 2007, some unsuspecting discovers would enter the now derelict barn on the Jarvis property. Low and behold, still there, in somewhat faded glory, was Edsel's Model A Sport Phaeton.

The condition of the car, despite its decades being stored away in a dairy barn, was still surprisingly splendid. In spite of the years, the car would be found, still, in a highly original state with many of its body panels, fenders and mechanical components intact. Upon further inspection, the LeBaron body number, LB-4093, would confirm what everybody was hoping would be the case. Edsel's Sport Phaeton had been found!

Purchased by its current owner, the Sport Phaeton would then undergo restoration, which would be handled by Manns Restoration & Maintenance of Festus, Missouri. When finished, the Model A Sport Phaeton would be of concours quality and would retain all of the unique features that had made the Edsel Sport Phaeton one of a kind.

The Gooding & Company auction in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2013 will mark the car's first appearance since completion of the restoration work and is certain to attract a number of interested buyers just waiting to own this important piece of Ford history. Estimates before the event have the 1930 Ford Model A Sport Phaeton drawing between $325,000 and $400,000.

Sources:
'Lot No. 012: 1930 Ford Model A Sport Phaeton', (http://www.goodingco.com/car/1930-ford-speedster-phaeton). Gooding & Company. http://www.goodingco.com/car/1930-ford-speedster-phaeton. Retrieved 15 January 2013.

'1930 Ford Model A News, Pictures and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z7026/Ford-Model-A.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z7026/Ford-Model-A.aspx. Retrieved 15 January 2013.

Wikipedia contributors, 'Ford Model A (1927–1931)', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 23 December 2012, 02:24 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ford_Model_A_(1927%E2%80%931931)&oldid=529381537 accessed 16 January 2013

By Jeremy McMullen