1903 Ford Model A Two Runabout

Henry Ford's first venture into automobile manufacturing was the Detroit Automobile Company, which would be dissolved after less than two years. His second company was named the Henry Ford Company, but Ford left after a disagreement and the company was renamed the Cadillac Automobile Company. The third company was named the Ford Motor Company and began producing Model A's in their Mack Avenue plant in Detroit, Michigan. The company had less than $300 in the bank when the cars were ready for sale.

Equipped with a horizontal 2 cylinder 8 HP engine and 2 speed transmission, this little gem was capable of attaining an impressive 30 MPH. It rides on a 72-inch wheelbase, and weighs 1,250 pounds. The two-seat runabout as seen here sold for $800 but was not as popular as the Curved Dash Oldsmobile which sold for $650.

This car is only one of a handful of true survivors. It is believed to have been sold by the Sterling Motor Car Co. in Binghampton NY to Dr. Charles Welch of the Welch Grape Juice Company. Sometime later it was acquired by Emil Quirin. In approximately 1946, the N.R. Boyce Family owned the car and proudly displayed it in the showroom of their Ford dealership in Ovid, NY for more than 50 years. It was also displayed at the 1953 Buffalo Auto show celebrating Ford's 50th anniversary.

After many years of excellent care it has been faithfully restored. The current owners traded a house for this car.