The Ford Motor Company was incorporated and started building automobiles on June 16, 1903. They built automobiles that the average worker could afford in the Mack Avenue factory in Detroit, MI. The Model A Two was the first production automobile for the Ford Motor Company. The car weighed 1,250 pounds and could reach 30 miles per hour. Like many early automobiles, the A had a horse-buggy appearance. Ford reintroduced the 'Model A' in 1928 as the replacement for the multi-million selling T. The Model 'A' was built on a rectangular, box-like chassis and looked similar to the Cadillac motor car built in the same era because Henry Ford had a hand in designing both vehicles.
The two-cylinder engine was sourced from the Dodge Brothers and was coupled to a two-speed transmission, with foot operated controls. Headlamp and a horn were accessories. Production figures are unclear but 607 units is the total number accepted by historians.
Sold for $693,000 at 2007 RM Sothebys. High bid of $325,000 at 2010 RM Sothebys. (did not sell) Sold for $264,000 at 2012 RM Sothebys. The Ford Model A was introduced in 1903. It was a vehicle meant to embody principles that Henry Ford deemed important - simplicity, economy and high volume. [Read More...] By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2011
Sold for $85,250 at 2010 RM Sothebys. Henry Ford had two affiliations with an automobile company prior to incorporating the Ford Motor Company in June of 1903. The first company he worked with was the Detroit Automobile Company, which went out of business in January of 1901. The second c [Read More...]
After leaving his second failed car company, Henry Ford created his third new horseless carriage business, the Ford Motor Company. His second failed car company was renamed by investors to Cadillac and produced a 1903 model that closely mimicked the [Read More...] By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2011
Henry Ford's first venture into automobile manufacturing was the Detroit Automobile Company, which would be dissolved after less than two years. His second company was named the Henry Ford Company, but Ford left after a disagreement and the company w [Read More...]
The name Model A was first used by Ford in 1903 and also known as the Fordmobile. This was the first vehicle produced by the Ford Motor Company and its first owner was Dr. Ernst Pfenning of Chicago, Illinois who purchased the Model A on July 23, 1903. Production of the first generation Model A lasted from 1903 through 1905 with 1750 examples being produced.
Automobile production was new and experiments with design, techniques, and technology were still being experimented with. Many early producers of the automobile had been in either the coachbuilding business or the bicycle business. Upon the invention of the automobile, they switched to the production of horseless carriages.
Henry Ford had $28,000 in investment capital to begin his new business. Upon completion of his first motorcar, he had spent all but $223.65. The Model A's were available as either a two-seater runabout or a four-seater tonneau. A flat-2 engine was horizontally-mounted midship and capable of producing 8 horsepower. A three-speed planetary transmission was matted to the engine. Dimensions and weight varied but the advertised top speed of the vehicle was about 45 miles per hour. The base price was $750 and was available with options such as a rear seat for $100. A rubber roof would set the buyer back an additional $30 while the leather roof was $50.
The Model A was replaced by a sequence of 'letter cars' until Ford produced the perfect combination of accordability and reliability with the Model T. It was mass produced and by 1914 the adaptation of the assembly line streamlined the process even further. By the 1920s, Ford had mobilized the United States with their customers wanting more and willing to pay more for it. Chevrolet's were becoming popular because they were similar to the Ford but offered a few extra amenities at a slightly higher but still reasonable price. Near the close of the 1920's and after sales began to slip, Ford realized that a replacement was needed.
So as production came to a close for the Model T, Henry Ford halted all production for six months to retool the equipment and prepare for the production of the Model A. The second generation of the Ford Model A began on October 20th, 1927. Sale of the Model A began on December 2nd, 1927 and was offered in four colors. The Model had been available in the United States only in black because it dried the fastest.
The public eagerly awaited the sale of the Model T's replacement and were not disappointed. It was a stylish and elegant vehicle, which had been designed by Henry Ford's son, Edsel. In comparison to its predecessor, it was more sophisticated and complex.
The cost of the second generation Model A, produced 24 years after the original Model A was sold for $365 less, with price ranging from $385 through $570. The car was powered by an L-head 4-cylinder engine with just over 200 cubic-inches in displacement. A three-speed sliding gear transmission with 1 reverse speed was used. Top speed was achieved a little over sixty-miles per hour with the average fuel mileage being rather exceptional at over 40 MPG.
Just like the Model T, the Model A was available in multiple configurations such as the top of the line Fordor in either 2 or 3 window, Victoria, Station Wagon, Truck, Town Car, Convertible Cabriolet, Phaeton, Business Coupe, Sport Coupe, Roadster Coupe, and Coupe to name a few.
During the production lifespan of the Model A, lasting until August 31, 1931, Ford produced 4,320,446 Model A's. It was replaced by the Model B. By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2006
Oldest surviving Ford production car, a 1903 Model A, recently purchased at auction by Bill Ford; car unveiled as part of an employee event to kick off the 150th anniversary celebration of Henry Ford...
CARL EDWARDS, NO. 99 FASTENAL FORD FUSION (QUALIFIED 2nd) – We have a fast race car and I am pretty proud of that lap. If I did it again I dont know that I could go any faster. That was a pretty good...