  |
|---|
| Motor Cars |
1930 Ford Model A
| Home |
|---|
| Motor Cars |
| Automobilia |
| Next Auction |
Registration No. SV 9532
|
Motor Cars
1930 Ford Model A
Home Motor Cars Automobilia Next Auction
Registration No. SV 9532
Chassis No. A 2800343
Engine No. A 2800343
Estimate £12,000 - £15,000
Henry Ford halted production completely in all his plants for 7 months to prepare for the introduction of his Model A in December 1927, and the effect it had on the motoring world was immense ‘Henry made a lady out of a Lizzie’. The new model was rightly hailed as a great advance on everything before it, and the Model A went on to be produced in huge numbers, because of its properties of immense strength, considerable power from the 3.3 litre 4 cylinder L-head, cast iron engine and rugged ability across country allowed by its supple suspension, large wheels, wide track, excellent power to weight ratio and brakes on all 4 wheels.
These very qualities have led to the Model A developing into one of the most successful types in current VSCC trialing. Cars assembled in the UK had a smaller 2-litre engine, 14.9hp for tax purposes, but genuine US models have the superb 3.3 litre (24hp unit), as here, and the gurgle from the exhaust at tick-over gives a small hint of the power and torque available.
The Model A had a conventional chassis, with 8ft 7 ½ inch wheelbase and a wide track of 4ft 8 inches to match typical American wheel ruts, this being the track of a standard horse drawn buggy. A 3 speed and reverse gearbox was fitted, and all memories of the horrors sometimes associated with Model T transmission were banished.
This exceptional Tudor (Two Door) Sedan left the River Rouge Plant in Detroit early in 1930, and was one of the new facelifted models with a deeper radiator shell, revised scuttle and bodywork, smaller 19 inch wheels (instead of 21 inch) with wider tyres reducing the overall height and making the car more stable, and now much of the bright work was in stainless steel rather than nickel plate.
This exceptional example was apparently imported into the UK in 1990, and has at some stage been
magnificently restored to near concours condition, whilst still retaining a totally correct though de-luxe specification. The Cherry Red and black paintwork with black fabric roof is extremely good, and the
interior is beautifully trimmed in cream velour, with maroon carpets. A wire mesh stoneguard and mascot, (both expensive optional extras when new) are fitted, and a folding luggage rack adorns the rear panel.
Recent expenditure has included £636 on a new set of tyres and tubes, £943 on small items from Model A Specialists Saturn Industries of Bromyard, £86 for a new large capacity battery and sundry bills for electrical oddments. The car now runs very well, indeed as well as it looks, and is utterly reliable, with a V5c allowing tax free historic licensing, and current MoT until September and tax until July 2011.
Altogether a very smart example of the attractive and very practical 2-door Tudor Sedan, with the large
engine, and ready to use without further expense.