Vehicle Description
Despite Henry's insistence that the Model A be a simple car, the
factory put a dizzying array of bodies on the same chassis,
including perhaps a half-dozen different versions of the simple
4-door sedan. One of the more unusual styles was the "leatherback"
like this 1929 model, which offered a padded roof and no quarter
windows for a slightly more formal look.
Obviously a favorite tour car, this 1929 Model A sedan looks
correct wearing a period-correct green and black color combination.
As most experts will tell you, the fenders should be black like
they are here, giving the little A the look of its big brothers
over at the Lincoln store. The restoration is quite old now, but
that makes this the kind of Model A you want to own: seasoned and
sorted, ready to enjoy. All four doors fit well enough, the hood
lines up and with a snug-fitting leather top, it is ready for
another 80 years of enjoyment. It isn't perfect, it isn't a show
car, but it looks right out of the '30s and the price is certainly
right. The brightwork is good, working with the patina on the rest
of the car so that nothing stands out. And with sidemounts and a
trunk, the formal-looking sedan seems like it should cost much more
than it does.
For touring, I'm a fan of four-door sedans. Everyone seems to love
the roadsters until the weather gets wet or cold, then they'll envy
your closed car and its comfortable cloth interior that stays dry
and warm. Both front and rear seats wear handsome mohair upholstery
that looks factory-issue and appropriate in the semi-formal sedan,
and it's quite comfortable. It probably isn't original, but again,
it was done some time ago. The dash is standard Model A, with a
stainless instrument panel housing speedometer, gas gauge, ammeter,
and the ignition switch, and it could be easily cleaned up with
some polish and elbow grease. The only notable deviation from stock
is the black painted dash. In back, there's room for three-across
seating in the tidy little Ford, and thanks to the formal sedan
bodywork, it feels cozy.
The stock Model A engine works so well because it's torquey and the
cars themselves are light weight. This one sports its original
Zenith updraft carb, distributor, and other ancillaries, because
those systems work just fine. There's an accessory exhaust manifold
with a heater that is more for show than function, but the rest is
as Henry made it. It's a little dirty and grungy, but you could
clean it up in an afternoon to make a big improvement without a big
investment in time or money. The factory 3-speed manual
transmission is still there and still needs a quick double-clutch
to shift, but you'll get the hang of it quickly. The frame and
undercarriage look about right after a few decades of touring, and
the exhaust has a proper conical muffler that offers just the right
sound. It's obvious that the wheels have been recently refinished
and now wear 21-inch blackwall tires as original.
A neat little Ford that runs great and doesn't cost a lot to buy or
maintain. It seems that the market is rediscovering the Model A, as
we can't seem to keep them in stock, so don't hesitate, call
today!