1929 Ford Model A Coupe

Often, early Ford engine numbers served as serial numbers for the cars they were fitted to, and this car’s stamping appears to date from September of 1928, just four months after the ~15,000,000th and final Model T rolled out of Highland Park, historic birthplace of the production line.

This one may well have come from the monstrous River Rouge complex, where in an unprecedented feat of industrial and scientific might, empire-builder Henry Ford controlled the entire production process from bulk raw materials through finished automobiles.

One of literally dozens of available configurations, the popular rumble seat coupe looks nearly identical to other two-door models, but sacrifices a trunk for a neat fold-out, occasional use two-person bench seat.

Henry’s tragic, brilliant son Edsel naturally cultivated taste for art and design, opportunities never afforded his hardscrabble father, who regarded the concept of styling a car as sacrilege.

In the end, the younger Ford clearly won the argument, his influence assuring the Model A would be as well regarded for its looks as for its robust build quality. This one’s warm cream yellow and brown is done in a factory style, and the fabric top, supported underneath by wooden bows, is correctly fixed in place.

Up front, a quail in flight tops the gleaming radiator shell and represents “a quick getaway” according to the elder Ford, a lifelong nature lover and game hunter. The optional exterior trunk is one clue to the rumble seat, as are two small footsteps on the right rear fender and a handle located at the top of the decklid rather than at the bottom.

The cozy two-seat cabin looks highly correct, just as the exterior. This includes materials, finishes, instruments, switchgear and the like. Ford Model A’s were the company’s first cars to use standardized controls of the type used today, which is to say clutch pedal on the left, brake pedal in the middle, and throttle pedal on the right.

Instruments include a rotating drum speedometer, main and trip odometers, an ammeter, and a fuel level gauge working directly off a cork float contained within the standard cowl-mounted fuel tank. The brass knob at the center of the control panel operates instrument panel lighting, and the starter is activated by one of two small round foot pedals, the other is the throttle.

The rumble seat presents similarly, with correct style upholstery and fittings.

With plenty of headroom beneath a traditional center hinged hood, the car’s 201 ci L-head four-cylinder maintains the factory style theme with a correct Zenith carb, generator, and other accessories such as its interesting, exposed metal strips serving as spark plug wires.

Flat out, 40 hp yields 65 mph at ~2,200 rpm in third gear, and this was more than adequate for primitive, pre-interstate system roads. In fact, it’s still plenty fast for relaxed surface street cruising nearly 100 years on.

This car is offered without known history.

We like early Fords in all their forms, but especially along more traditional patterns like original or period style hot rod builds, dirt track racers, and of course, bone stock and well preserved like this example appears to be. The rumble seat puts it over the top. Estimated $10,000 - $20,000.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL BIDDERS

It should be noted that this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

We have not started or driven the car so cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.

Please note that the title for this vehicle is in transit.