Throughout the 1910’s and 20’s, Ford Motor Company had a strong grip on the automotive market, with its revolutionary Model T dominating the roads.
However, as the mid 1920’s rolled around, competitors had finally managed to catch up with Ford’s manufacturing processes and threatened Ford’s hold on the American & global markets.
As Ford’s competitors began including more luxurious features and mechanical advancements such as electric starters to their vehicles, consumers had begun to expect these features as essential extras, despite Henry Ford deeming them unnecessary. This played a huge role in shaping the Model A’s future and purpose.
As Henry Ford was not particularly in favour of these new additions or even the idea of styling an automobile for vanity, the design was left up to his son Edsel. The result was a far more stylish replacement for the Model T, that offered customers the option to motor in comfort, and style.
With 9 variants produced including a coupe, roadster, truck, sedan and of course the Tudor, the Model A quickly became yet another favourite and was mass-produced until March 1932, with just under 5 million orders fulfilled.
The Model A was later replaced by its successor, the Model B, but still serves as an iconic reminder of the dawn of flexible mass production and motoring history in general.
One of the first truly global cars, this right hand drive Model A was built in Britain at Ford’s Manchester factory in 1931. It had a long term owner for many years from the ‘50s who gave it a great deal of care and attention.
The current owner has has a number of classic and vintage cars and has had the Ford since 2016, using the car regularly and ultimately changing the engine for a later, more powerful Model B engine recently.
Alongside the regular receipts and paperwork going back decades, including receipts for an engine rebuild in 1955, new wings in 1960 and extensive bare metal respray in 1965, there is even correspondence from previous owners about the car.
There are a number of maintenance manuals and handbooks included with the car.
Inside the car is almost completely original, down to the dealer’s tag on the dashboard, and the patina of time is incredible. The thick brown leather has lasted the decades well, just a little faded in the back and some gentle wear in the front, not bad for 90 years.
There is matching trim on the doors with carpet along the base, useful storage bags and delightful door furniture, all of which work and the glass is fascinating, with a slight wobble to the surface unique to panes made so long ago. There is wear to the leather around the door handles and window winders and the drivers door carpet at the front corner.
The floor is covered in a thick rubber matting, and the headlining is excellent - it's been replaced in the front around the sliding sunroof, and is original in the rear so is a slightly darker shade.
Speaking of which, there are silk sunshades in the back! The rear window is operated by a pull cord from the front and the sides have silk tassels to pull.
The dashboard is simple with only a couple of instruments, and on the left some holes have been drilled where a grab handle was added at one point.
The big steering wheel has the ignition advance controls and the pedals use the early arrangement of the accelerator in the centre, which while confusing at first is easy after a few minutes practice.
Outside the car is in superb condition, not perfect and not overly shiny but that would look wrong on a car like this. It had new wings in 1960 and was repainted in 1965 or 66 and looks far newer. There is a line of bubbles on the rear driver's door but that is the only area that needs attention.
The wire wheels have been painted and have recent rubber from Longstone Tyres, about 2 years ago, and there are spare wheels on both running boards. Covers are supplied but not fitted as the owner prefers without.
At the front there's lots of bright work, the radiator shell, bonnet mascot, bumper and lights all are in superb condition and the light lenses have a curious magenta sheen, a sign of original 1930s glass, and there are trafficators mounted on the side of the windscreen, where there is a single wiper with motor mounted on the top rail. The door mirrors polished metal have dulled over the past century.
The running boards have a rubber mat which is excellent as are the metal tread plates and at the back there is a boot trunk which will come with the car.
The owner tells us the car is in superb running order and our ride in the A certainly supports that.
The original engine had been rebuilt a couple of times in the past but last year needed more work and as parts for the A engine are now hard to come by, a later 3.3 litre Ford Model B engine with 40hp and a balance crankshaft was fitted, an excellent upgrade which looks original, down to the advance/retard controls, but gains power, reliability and ease of maintenance and better parts supply.
Additional upgrades include a 12V alternator to give 12V electrics, and a 6V resistor to run the klaxon horn. A new Zenith carburettor supplied by the Model A club has been fitted and it recently had a new design of ‘leakless’ water pump installed and a 4 bladed cooling fan which came with the car.
The brakes have recently been overhauled with new drums and shoes and a Belcham Engineering modification for better braking, and a new old stock brake rod fitted to the front near side.
The owner tells us the car is very reliable and usable on long distances thanks to the higher ratio diff fitted. There is currently a Lands End to John O’Groats Model A rally happening which he would have taken the car on if time allowed as the car was ready for the adventure.
Pre-war cars have had a resurgence of popularity in recent years, perhaps as a reaction to overtly nannying and monitored semi self driving cars, perhaps TV shows like Peaky Blinders have had an influence, but we are glad the interest is there, but finding really good usable cars can be hard.
This care is incredibly original, untouched inside and restored as original on the outside when it was still what we would call a ‘modern classic’, it has the look and feel of a car as it should be, and the addition of the better engine makes it a better drivers car which needs to be driven and enjoyed.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
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1931 Ford Model A
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