Vehicle Description
One challenge that follows a groundbreaking invention is the task
of designing a suitable replacement when the original idea becomes
obsolete. Particularly in the early days of the automobile,
changing public tastes, advancements in technology, and free-market
competition created a near-constant need to evolve. For Henry Ford,
evolution was not something for which he particularly cared. His
Model T had revolutionized the automobile industry, wiping many
upstart automakers off the map virtually overnight. By the
mid-1920s, the Model T and its production methods stood among the
most significant inventions of the twentieth century, with sales
approaching fifteen million units. Ford was one of the most
powerful industrialists in the world, yet he seemed resistant to
change the Model T, even as competitors encroached on its success.
As the T soldiered on, General Motors caught up and gradually
eroded Ford sales, eventually surpassing them. It took a dramatic
drop in sales, and Ford dealers sounding alarms for Henry Ford to
finally warm to the idea of a follow-up act for the venerable Model
T. The new Model A's design incorporated many of the same
fundamental principles which the Model T pioneered. Ford's Design
for Manufacturability ethos meant the Model A would be as efficient
to build as the T while being able to accommodate more customizable
options and features that buyers now demanded. From a technical
standpoint, the Model A represented a vast improvement over the T.
Power came from a 201 cubic inch, water-cooled, L-head inline four.
At 40 hp, it was nearly twice as powerful as the T. Gone was the
complicated planetary gearbox with its levers and pedals, replaced
by a 3-speed sliding gear transmission with conventional
three-pedal controls for throttle, four-wheel brakes, and clutch.
The chassis had far superior handling and ride quality, braking was
vastly improved, and the car was capable of topping out at 65 miles
per hour. Nearly as important as the technical specification was
Henry Ford's relenting to his son Edsel when it came to the look of
the new car. The elder Ford had a particular disdain for the
frivolities of cosmetic appearance, so he turned the task of
styling to his son. Interestingly, Edsel had a natural gift for
aesthetics, capitalizing on his experience as the top man at
Lincoln to design a handsome and modern car that was on par with
trends set by the competition. Simultaneously the end of one era
and the beginning of another, the Ford Model A was a resounding
success, selling over four million examples between the 1928 and
1931 model years. Today as it was then, the Model A is affordable,
delightful to drive and easy to service, and it remains a
cornerstone of the collector car hobby with tremendous popularity,
and parts support the world over. This desirable 1931 Model A
Deluxe Roadster is a classic example of the iconic 30's Ford.
Presented with a well-maintained restoration finished in a handsome
maroon over black livery, this Deluxe-trim model is well-equipped
with a host of period options and accessories. The older
restoration shows some light patina yet remains lovely, with
good-quality paintwork and lots of period-correct detailing.
Fittings include proper Ford Twolite headlamps, pheasant mascot,
dual side-mount spares, twin taillights, and a folding trunk rack.
Red painted wire wheels with new Firestone whitewall tires provide
a lovely accent to the body colors and lend to the car's upmarket,
deluxe appearance. Attractive and well-equipped, this Model A
roadster is prime for on-road enjoyment. The no-frills cockpit of a
Model A is a refreshing counterpoint to today's distraction-laden
machines. The driver gets all they need and nothing else, with well
laid-out controls, simple instrumentation, and a comfortable
two-passenger seat, and this example offers the benefit of a
folding roadster top and opening windscreen for fair weather
drives. Tan upholstery on the seats and door panels along with
complementary brown carpeting are in excellent order, with the same
colors and materials repeating on the rumble seat. The roadster top
is trimmed in beige canvas with tan piping to match the interior.
Thanks to recent servicing, the 201 cubic-inch four-cylinder runs
very well and is ready for casual drives and tours. An alternator
is fitted in the interest of reliable running, and the engine
presents in clean, tidy condition, finished in correct Ford green
paint. These engines are simple yet durable, with tremendous
aftermarket parts support. This car sends power through an
original-type 3-speed manual gearbox. While it is unsynchronized,
shifting is easily mastered, with a pleasing mechanical feel. It
only takes a short drive in a Model A to appreciate why they are
such widely loved classics. This desirable rumble-seat roadster is
well-sorted and ideally suited for enjoyment in club events, casual
tours, and weekend adventures.
