To Be OFFERED AT AUCTIONEstimate:
$20,000 - $25,000
- Purchased by noted Ford collector Richard E. Williams in 1965;
lovingly maintained by the Williams family ever since
- Desirable open-top example of Ford's timeless Model A
- Equipped with rumble seat, dual sidemounts with wheel covers,
rear luggage rack
- An older restoration, this Roadster sill presents well;
suitable for touring
- Selected for display at Ford's 1973 Detroit Auto Show
exhibition
To say that the Ford Model T was a tough act to follow would be a
monumental understatement: Introduced in 1908, Henry Ford's
Universal Car revolutionized personal transportation and mass
production techniques. Over 15 million were eventually sold. By the
mid-1920s, however, it was clear that the simple, rugged, and
extremely economical Model T could be evolved no further; Ford's
world-beater had lost its edge.
Enter the Ford Model A, clean-sheet design unveiled to the public
in late 1927. So revolutionary that Ford reset its alphabetic
naming scheme to christen it, the Model A was an instant success
and, in the decades that followed, a cornerstone of the classic car
hobby.
And all for good reason. The Model A's 201-cubic inch flathead
inline-four produced 40 hp, doubling the output of the Model T; it
is paired with a three-speed manual transmission. Thanks to
features like electric start, four-wheel drum brakes and a cockpit
layout far more intuitive than the Model T's somewhat esoteric
setup, the Model A remains eminently enjoyable today.
Further, thanks in large part to Henry Ford's son Edsel-who wisely
recognized that aesthetics, rather than price alone, played an
increasing role in the motoring public's purchases-each of the
Model A's widely varied body styles came complete with a touch of
high-class Lincoln-inspired elegance.
This 1928 Ford Model A Roadster, engine number A373628, is an
excellent example of the Model A's sportier side. Period Ford
literature described the Roadster as "a long, low, chummy car;"
this example, equipped with the optional, iconic rumble seat and
dual sidemounts (a dealer-installed option) is especially
rakish.
The car was purchased in 1965 by renowned Ford collector Richard E.
Williams from Roy A. Lovegrove of Schwartz Creek, Michigan.
Williams later had the car totally restored. Such was the quality
and accuracy of the work performed that Williams was asked by Ford
to display the Model A at the 1973 Detroit Auto Show, where it
appeared next to the automaker's new products.
A documented restoration that still presents well today, this 1928
Model A Roadster's patina speaks to decades of enjoyment-and
decades of careful maintenance. Now offered by the Williams family,
it remains an appealing example of a timeless, important Ford; its
exceptional provenance only serves to enhance its enduring appeal.
An extremely thorough ledger documenting work done on the car since
Williams' purchase in 1965, along with an extensive selection of
vintage manuals and Ford literature, and documentation of its
Detroit Auto Show appearance, are included with the sale and
available to review for any interested party. To view this car and
others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM
website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/0520.
