The Ford Model A arrived at a time of enormous change in motoring. Introduced in late 1927 as the successor to the famous Model T, it represented a major leap forward in power, comfort, styling and ease of driving.

By the time this Tourer was built in 1930, the Model A had become an international success. It offered motorists a much more modern driving experience while retaining the relatively simple and robust engineering for which Ford had become known.

Replacing the Model T

Replacing the Model T was an enormous challenge. Around 15 million had been produced, but by the mid-1920s its basic design was increasingly outdated compared with newer cars from competitors.

Ford ended Model T production in 1927 and temporarily halted car production while its factories were prepared for the new Model A.

The result was not simply an updated Model T. The Model A was a substantially different automobile designed for motorists who now expected greater speed, comfort, style and convenience.

Twice the Power

At the heart of the Model A was a 3.3-litre L-head four-cylinder engine producing approximately 40 horsepower, roughly twice the output of the Model T.

This additional power made the Model A better suited to the improving roads and higher travelling speeds of the late 1920s and early 1930s.

Power was delivered through a conventional three-speed sliding-gear manual transmission. This was a major change from the Model T's unusual pedal-operated planetary transmission and made the Model A's controls much more familiar to drivers of other cars.

A More Modern Ford

The Model A incorporated several significant improvements beyond its more powerful engine.

Four-wheel mechanical brakes provided braking at each wheel, while a safety-glass windscreen reduced the risk of serious injury from broken glass. The car also adopted more conventional driving controls, including a clutch pedal and floor-mounted gear lever.

Together, these features made the Model A feel considerably more modern than the car it replaced.

The Open Tourer

Ford offered the Model A in a wide variety of body styles, allowing the same basic chassis and mechanical components to serve very different customers.

This example has an open Tourer body, a style also known as the Phaeton in the United States. It provided seating for several passengers while retaining the open-air character that had been common throughout the earlier years of motoring.

Although enclosed cars were becoming increasingly popular by 1930, open Tourers remained attractive to motorists who valued their relatively simple construction and open-air driving experience.

A New Look for 1930

The Model A received noticeable styling changes for 1930.

A taller radiator and revised body details gave the car a more refined and contemporary appearance. Ford was increasingly conscious that buyers wanted automobiles that were not only practical but also attractive.

This reflected a broader change across the motor industry. Styling was becoming an increasingly important factor in selling cars, and manufacturers were updating their models more frequently to keep pace with changing tastes.

Success During Difficult Times

The Model A was launched during the prosperous final years of the 1920s, and demand was initially enormous. By March 1930, Ford had produced its three-millionth Model A.

However, the Wall Street Crash of October 1929 and the resulting Great Depression dramatically affected automobile sales. Like other manufacturers, Ford faced a rapidly shrinking market as economic conditions deteriorated.

Despite these circumstances, the Model A remained remarkably successful.

Nearly Five Million Built

Model A production continued until 1931, with approximately 4.85 million examples produced worldwide.

Its production life was much shorter than that of the Model T, but in only a few years the Model A became one of the most recognisable automobiles of its era.

For 1932, Ford introduced a new generation of cars, most famously including models powered by the company's new flathead V8 engine.

This Car

Built in 1930, this Model A Tourer represents Ford during the transition from the pioneering simplicity of the Model T to the more powerful, comfortable and conventional automobiles of the 1930s.

Its 40 hp four-cylinder engine, three-speed manual transmission, four-wheel brakes and improved driving controls demonstrate how quickly the motor car had developed in little more than two decades.

The Model A may have spent only a few years in production, but its combination of simplicity, modern engineering and attractive styling ensured its place as one of Ford's most significant early automobiles.