To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The Guyton
Collection event, 4 - 5 May 2019.
Estimate:
$20,000 - $30,000
- Rare early Model "AR"
- Desirable open-cab pickup
- Fitted with unusual accessories
When Ford's new Model A bowed in late 1927, the line naturally
included a pickup. Essentially a Model A version of the T pickup,
it was of open-cab configuration, as Ford called it. The bed was a
direct T carryover and was mated to the rear fenders used on Model
A coupes and roadsters. The top, although similar to that of
roadsters, was fixed in place. Matching side curtains were
supplied, but like all early open Model As, there were no outside
door handles. Finally, in August 1928, a closed-cab pickup was
introduced, with the rectangular "phone booth" cab that
characterized Ford's heavy Model AA commercials.
Early Model As had a number of distinct characteristics that were
phased out during the 1928 model year. These have gained the
honorific designation "AR," which was not a Ford term, but more
recently derived by enthusiasts from coding in the parts manual as
early items were "Replaced." This open-cab pickup, dating from May
1928, has many of these characteristics, which include a red
steering wheel, a unique style of hubcaps, left-side emergency
brake handle, fluted headlamp lenses, drum-shaped Duolight
taillight, and the very early Powerhouse generator, a short, squat
configuration with the cutout mounted on the side.
It was acquired by the Guyton Collection in June 1985 from Don
Johnson of Farmington, Missouri. More recently, it has been given a
driver-quality restoration that leaves some uneven body work and
paint. Accessories include many seldom seen on Model A pickups,
including whitewall tires, a MotoMeter, running board step plates,
spotlight, clock mirror, and a second side-mount spare.
Ford built 23,972 open-cab Model A pickups for 1928, a goodly
number eclipsing all other commercial styles. Most of them,
however, were worked to death, making survivors, particularly "AR"
models, very rare.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/gc19.
