Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
20th September, 2023 10:00
1928 Ford Model A Phaeton
Estimate
£16, 000 - £20, 000
Registration No: BS 9102
Chassis No: A659413
MOT: Exempt
One of the rarest and most desirable Model A’s produced
Subject to complete restoration including a bare metal repaint a few years previous
Scarce right-hand drive example
Current ownership since 2004
The Model T phenomenon lasted 18 years, but by 1926 even Henry Ford had to admit that the car that ‘put the world on wheels’ had finally run out of steam. Amidst rumours that several American States were preparing to ban the Model T due to its 'unsafe' hand-operated braking system, Henry Ford begrudgingly succumbed to pressure and authorised the development of a successor. No follower of convention, he terminated ‘T’ production on May 26th 1927 immediately after the 15 millionth example had rolled off the line, despite having nothing to replace it. Henry himself directed the development of a new longer, lower-slung chassis; a Howard Hicks-designed 3285cc, four-cylinder engine; three-speed manual transmission and a novel electrical system. By the time the Model A made its debut on December 2nd, there was a backlog of 400, 000 orders for a car that nobody had even seen!
Chassis number A659413 was manufactured in 1928 and is a rare right-hand drive example. A Phaeton example, they are one of the rarer and more sought-after Model A body styles. In 2004 the Ford was imported to the United Kingdom and has been in the ownership of the vendor since then and thus has had just one UK keeper. Provided with a full restoration a few years ago, the work completed included a bare metal repaint with the Ford presenting in the attractive colour scheme of two-tone deep Brown and Black paintwork with Orange wire wheels shod with whitewall tyres and Tan interior upholstery. Rated as excellent throughout (engine, gearbox, bodywork, paintwork, electrics and interior trim) by the vendor, this Model A Phaeton is a rare opportunity, not only being one the scarcer and more desirable body-styles for Model As but also in right-hand-drive guise.
