History

The End of an Era

By 1926, the Ford Model T — once the car that put America on wheels — was losing ground. General Motors had reorganized around annual model changes and buyer choice, while the T soldiered on largely unchanged since 1908. Henry Ford famously said customers could have any color they wanted, so long as it was black. The market had moved on.

In May 1927, Ford made a stunning announcement: production of the Model T would end. The River Rouge complex shut down for retooling — a process that took six months and cost Ford an estimated $250 million. Over 60,000 workers were laid off. The world waited.

"The Model A will be the most important Ford since the original Model T." — press speculation, 1927

A New Ford for a New Age

On December 2, 1927, Ford unveiled the Model A at the New York Automobile Show. Over 10 million people visited dealerships in the first 36 hours to catch a glimpse. The new car was a revelation: a 201 cubic inch inline-four engine producing 40 horsepower, a modern three-speed sliding-gear transmission (replacing the T's planetary unit), and four-wheel mechanical brakes — a first for a Ford.

The 1928 model year represented the first full year of Model A production. Bodies were supplied by Murray, Briggs, and Budd, and offered across a wide range of styles: the Tudor and Fordor sedans, the open Roadster and Phaeton, the sporty Cabriolet, a Pickup, a Panel Delivery, and more. Prices ranged from $385 for the Roadster to $570 for the Town Car.

Mechanical Character

The Model A's engine was straightforward and robust. The 201 cu in (3.3L) four-cylinder produced 40 hp at 2,200 rpm, enough to push the car to a top speed of around 65 mph. It used a pressurized oiling system — a significant improvement over the T's splash lubrication — and ran on standard gasoline.

The three-speed manual gearbox was a conventional H-pattern shift, familiar to drivers of other makes but new to Ford buyers. Combined with the semi-elliptic transverse leaf springs and Houdaille hydraulic shock absorbers (on later cars), the Model A offered a noticeably smoother, more modern driving experience than its predecessor.

The Production Years

Ford produced the Model A from 1927 through 1931, building over 4.8 million units in more than 40 countries. Assembly plants operated across the United States, in Canada, and internationally. The 1929 calendar year was the peak: Ford built nearly 1.5 million Model A vehicles that year alone.

Production ended in 1931 as Ford retooled again — this time for the Model B four-cylinder and the legendary flathead V-8 that would debut in 1932. The Model A's four-year run had re-established Ford's dominance and produced one of the most beloved and recognizable automobiles in American history.

Legacy

Today, the Ford Model A enjoys one of the most active and well-organized enthusiast communities in the hobby. The Model A Ford Club of America (MAFCA) and the Model A Restorers Club (MARC) together count tens of thousands of members worldwide. Nearly a century after it left the factory, a well-maintained Model A can still be driven, serviced, and shown — a testament to Ford's engineering and the dedication of the restorer community.