1928 Ford Model A

The Ford Model T was first produced in 1908 and its affordability helped put millions of families and drivers behind the wheel of a car for the first time. By the close of 1924, the Model T was being outclassed by more sophisticated competition from other manufacturers. With persuasion from his son, Edsel, Henry discontinued the model that had brought his company so much success, and Henry allowed the development of a new model to begin.

The new model would be given the designation, Model A. In comparison to the Model T, the Model A was more complex with approximately 6,800 different parts compared to the less than 5,000 components that made up the Model T. It had a new battery and ignition system and a conventional sliding gear manual transmission. Other improvements included four-wheel mechanical brakes, welded wire wheels, and Houdaille-type shock absorbers. Similarities included the four-cylinder L-head engine and semi-elliptic front and rear transverse spring suspension. The engine was a 200.5 cubic-inch four with 40 horsepower, which was nearly twice as much as the out-going Model T.

The body designs used styling cues from the Lincolns of the era, with a longer wheelbase, a higher beltline, and several additional color choices that then Model T's utilitarian black.

Body styles included a rumble seat roadster, phaeton, business coupe, rumble seat coupe, Tudor, Fordor, business roadster, and sport business coupe. Prices ranged from $460 to $600.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster Pickup
Chassis number: A444386

The Ford Model A was introduced in late 1927 and served as a replacement for the highly successful Model T. By the mid-1920s, the sales of the Model T had rapidly slowed as the competition had become more sophisticated.

The Model A was more complex, yet far easier and simpler to operated than the car it was replacing. It was powered by a new inline four-cylinder engine that developed twice the horsepower. The exterior of the Model A had design cues taken from the Lincoln, making the Model A modern, fresh, and refined. Other features included four-wheel, cable operated mechanical brakes, welded steel wire wheels and Houdaille-type double-acting shock absorbers. The Model T had been available in only one color, while the Model A was offered in several choices including green, gray and black. Pricing began at $460 and available in nine body types.

This 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup is painted in green with black fenders. It has been given a complete concours-level restoration and is in excellent running order.

In 2009, this Model A was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $26,000 - $32,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for the sum of $20,900, including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster

The 'new Ford' was introduced in October 1927 after months of anticipation by the motoring public, which wondered what would take the place of the venerable Model T.

Although it had some similarities to the Model T - four cylinders and semi-elliptic front and rear springs - it was a very different automobile. Most significantly, it was the first Ford that was designed - and Edsel Ford was heavily involved.

Although he had been heavily involved in the design of the Lincoln motorcar since that company was acquired by Ford in 1922, the Model A marked the beginning of Edsel Ford's personal involvement in the styling of all Ford vehicles. By 1931, he had hired the company's first designer, E.T. 'Bob' Gregorie and shortly thereafter one could say that Ford Motor Company now had a design department.

Touring Phaeton

The 1928 Ford Model A was originally introduced in December of 1927, following nearly 20 years of Ford Motor Company's venerable Model T. The Model A was powered by a Ford four-cylinder motor that developed 40 horsepower and featured four-wheel mechanical brakes. Wheelbase was 103.5 inches.

This phaeton, which sold for a base price of $460, features a rear-mounted accessory trunk. It has been restored just as it would have looked when new.

Roadster
Chassis number: A189
Engine number: A189

The Ford Model A introduced many improvements including a new battery and ignition system and a conventional sliding-gear manual transmission. They had four-wheel mechanical brakes, welded wire wheels, and Houdaille-type shock absorbers. Several design cues from Lincolns were incorporated into the design, and they featured a longer wheelbase, a higher belt line, and several more colors than the Model T's utilitarian black. The Model A utilized a new inline four-cylinder engine that produced twice the output of the motor in the Model T.

This Model A is believed to be the lowest known existing serial number for a Ford Model A. This example was originally exported to Sweden after leaving the factory, and it was registered in March of 1928. The car passed through a number of owners in Europe, and it was restored in Sweden before returning to its country of origin in the early 2000s. The car was repainted in green with a black top. Later, it was owned by Charlie Bass, of New Hampshire, before being sold to its current owner in 2006.

This Model A is equipped with the left-handed brake and an early rear taillight.

by Dan Vaughan

Touring Phaeton
Chassis number: A99550

This Ford Model AR Phaeton was one of 633,594 examples produced during the 1928 calendar year. It is finished in Cordoba Tan with black accents and red pinstripes. There is an accessory trunk, dual side-mounted spares with canvas covers, a Moto-meter, tan canvas top, and orange-painted wire wheels.

Dr. William Yancy sold this Ford to Dick Mulloy of Louisville, Kentucky, in 1974. It was later acquired by Clyde Ensor Sr. who sold it in 2010 to its current owner.

by Dan Vaughan

Business Coupe
Engine number: A37135

This 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pick up is powered by a 200 cubic-inch Flathead inline four-cylinder engine breathing through a single Two-Barrel carburetor. It has a three-speed manual transmission, leaf spring suspension, and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes. It has an open-cab (roadster pickup) body and it remains in largely standard configuration and was the recipient of a careful, sympathetic restoration of unknown age. Optional Ford extras include a moto-meter radiator temp gauge and spare tire cover with rearview mirror.

by Dan Vaughan

Huckster

This 1928 Ford Model A Huckster was donated to the Seal Cove Museum by Barbara MacQuinn in honor of her late husband, Mr. Ronald P. MacQuinn. Previous owners include Harry Owen of the Stone Barn Farm in Bar Harbor in the 1960s. In 1994, the MacQuinns acquired the Huckster from Mr. Owen, with the intention of restoring the automobile, but Mr. MacQuinn passed away before the restoration was completed. His friends Les Brewer, Gordon Young Jr, Craig Robbins, and others finished the job in honor of Mr. MacQuinn.

This Model A rests on a 1035-inch wheelbase and is powered by a L-head, four-cylinder engine with a cast iron block and a 200.5 cubic-inch displacement. It produces 40 horsepower at 2,200 RPM. There is a three-speed sliding gear transmission with floor shift controls. Suspension is via semi-elliptic springs at the front and transverse springs in the rear.

The name Model A was first used by Ford in 1903 and also known as the Fordmobile. This was the first vehicle produced by the Ford Motor Company, and its first owner was Dr. Ernst Pfenning of Chicago, Illinois, who purchased the Model A on July 23, 1903. Production of the first generation Model A lasted from 1903 through 1905, with 1750 examples being produced.

Automobile production was new and experiments with design, techniques, and technology were still being experimented with. Many early producers of the automobile had been in either the coachbuilding business or the bicycle business. Upon the invention of the automobile, they switched to the production of horseless carriages.

Henry Ford had $28,000 in investment capital to begin his new business. Upon completion of his first motorcar, he had spent all but $223.65. The Model A's was available as either a two-seater runabout or a four-seater tonneau. A flat-2 engine was horizontally mounted midship and capable of producing eight horsepower. A three-speed planetary transmission was matted to the engine. Dimensions and weight varied but the advertised top speed of the vehicle was about 45 miles per hour. The base price was $750 and was available with options such as a rear seat for $100. A rubber roof would set the buyer back an additional $30, while the leather roof was $50.

The Model A was replaced by a sequence of 'letter cars' until Ford produced the perfect combination of affordability and reliability with the Model T. It was mass-produced and by 1914 the adaptation of the assembly line streamlined the process even further. By the 1920s, Ford had mobilized the United States with their customers wanting more and willing to pay more for it. Chevrolet's were becoming popular because they were similar to the Ford but offered a few extra amenities at a slightly higher but still reasonable price. Near the close of the 1920's and after sales began to slip, Ford realized that a replacement was needed.

So as production came to a close for the Model T, Henry Ford halted all production for six months to retool the equipment and prepare for the production of the Model A. The second generation of the Ford Model A began on October 20th, 1927. The sale of the Model A began on December 2nd, 1927, and was offered in four colors. The Model had been available in the United States only in black because it dried the fastest.

The public eagerly awaited the sale of the Model T's replacement and was not disappointed. It was a stylish and elegant vehicle, which had been designed by Henry Ford's son, Edsel. In comparison to its predecessor, it was more sophisticated and complex.

The cost of the second generation Model A, produced 24 years after the original Model A was sold for $365 less, with price ranging from $385 to $570. The car was powered by an L-head 4-cylinder engine with just over 200 cubic inches in displacement. A three-speed sliding gear transmission with one reverse speed was used. Top speed was achieved a little over sixty miles per hour, with the average fuel mileage being rather exceptional at over 40 MPG.

Just like the Model T, the Model A was available in multiple configurations such as the top-of-the-line Fordor in either 2 or 3 windows, Victoria, Station Wagon, Truck, Town Car, Convertible Cabriolet, Phaeton, Business Coupe, Sport Coupe, Roadster Coupe, and Coupe to name a few.

During the production lifespan of the Model A, lasting until August 31, 1931, Ford produced 4,320,446 Model A's. It was replaced by the Model B.

by Dan Vaughan