1931 FORD MODEL A

Details

The introduction of the Ford Model A in late 1927 represents one of the most significant and successful business turnarounds of the 20th Century. While many wrote off Ford as the 'Flivver Motor Company' by the mid-1920s due to Henry's single-minded focus on the old-fashioned but successful Model T, Edsel Ford successfully lobbied for the development of a successor. Henry Ford ordered his factories to shut down in June 1927 and when the Model A debuted several months later, it startled industry

watchers with its handsome Lincoln-inspired styling. Substance matched the new Model A's winning style with a larger 200 cubic-inch, 40-horsepower four-cylinder engine producing twice the output of its predecessor. While the Model A was more complex than the old 'Tin Lizzie,' driving was much easier with a new sliding-gear manual transmission and other advances including welded steel wire wheels, Houdaille-type double-acting shock absorbers, four-wheel mechanical brakes, and a 6-volt electrical, charging, and starting system. Departing even further from the basic Model T concept, the Model A was available in a choice of several colors. Priced from just $460, the Model A was initially available in nine body types and by the end of its run in 1931, along 21 body styles. Ford built most of its own bodies for the Model A, however, both Briggs and Murray were their largest outside suppliers of complete bodies, with both outside firms producing all of Ford's Model 155 Town Sedans and Model 165 Fordor Sedans. The upscale Town Sedan was one of Ford's premium model offerings, priced from $630 new. Acquired for the Mile High Collection in 2015, this 1931 Ford Model A Town Sedan was formerly part of the collection of Tom Goodlett. Handsomely finished in Maroon with black fenders and a tan interior, it features versatile 4-door bodywork including rear 'suicide' doors. Exterior accents include chrome bumpers, a chrome grille guard, Ford 'Quail' radiator mascot, cowl lamps, twin side view mirrors, twin side-mounted spares and a rear luggage trunk, plus red-painted steel wire wheels mounting wide whitewall tires. The interior is trimmed in tan upholstery. The rear seat includes integral armrests, a rear-window privacy blind, a dome lamp, and a wood-grained dash and moldings. Documents include restoration and service receipts, along with a Zenith carburetor restoration guide. From the Mile-High Collection.