ABOUT THE MODEL A

On May 25th 1926 Ford announced the end of the Tin Lizzie. Ford's market share had fallen to 33%, the lowest since the T was created. Henry Ford decided to return to the Model A to replace the lost share of sales revenues. The model A was created before the end of the Model T's run. In the archive today can be found many conceptual drawings by Ford himself of what was to become the Model A. In the Model A Henry Ford once again looked to the future for the type of car to build. Roads were being built at a staggering rate in America and were of better quality than ever before. Therefore, Ford thought that the next car should be able to attain speeds of 50 to 60 MPH. This in a time that road racers were speeding along at 40 mph. In fact, Model A's of their time were often entered in road races stock from the factory. The Model A was unlike the Model T in many ways. Not the least of which was that it was available in four different colors. Mr Ford in a newspaper interview had said about the Model T, "The public can get it in any color they want as long as it's black." Historians believe that Edsel's influence played a large part in the new concept developed in different colors and eight different body styles. But the new concept didn't just cover appearance. The new Model A came standard with such futuristic amenities as, starter, dashlight, mirror, windshield wiper, oil gauge, gas gauge, brake lights, speedometer, tools and grease gun. Henry Ford stated he wanted a car that was affordable, good gas mileage, and comfortable to drive. The basic mechanics of the car was worked out by Eugene Farkas, Laurence Sheldrick, Frank Johnson, Charles Sorenson, Joe Galamb, Emil Zoerlin. Edsel Ford designed the bodystyle and the Model A was born. For a mere $395 one could buy a Roadster. And this price included the first safety glass windshield in an American production car.