Ford's Model A Roadster is the purest example of an open car in history: it has everything you need, nothing you don't.
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Of timeless beauty, it transcended the boundaries of wealth and status. The police drove Model A Roadsters, and so did the richest man in the world, Nelson Rockefeller, as well as the President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Best of all, it looks quite similar to its immediate successor, the legendary Model B of 1932 -- the Deuce -- at a fraction of the price of admission.
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Even before I became a Model T owner, I desired owning a Model A Roadster. The '31 Roadster I finally adopted in Summer of 2013 had been owned by a fellow Model T and Model A owner from Long Beach, California. To preserve his show condition Model A for special occasions, he specifically bought this particular Roadster for a summer tour through Canada's Pacific Northwest area, where it reportedly was running like a Swiss watch.
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The car was the beneficiary of a thorough frame-off restoration dating back to the year 2001. It spent over a decade in Big Bear Lake, Calif., where it was used sparingly, during the summer months only. In 2012, the car participated in a summer tour through Canada's Pacific Northwest, where it was running like a Swiss watch. I acquired the car in 2013 and have enjoyed it tremendously. We've even used in during the coldest time of the year when we participated in the Horseless Carriage Club's New Year's excursion!
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Over time, I was able to acquire a library of 10 relevant books, some of them quite rare.
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I also keep a dedicated folder with all the receipts kept in chronological order, filed in clear sheet protectors. In addition, I have an EXCEL spreadsheet listing all my expenses.
The car is currently registered to these original, unrestored, 1931 California black-and-orange license plates, for which I paid $375.
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A small fortune has been spent to turn this 84-year-old into a car that defies its age, a car I can hop in and drive anywhere. Notable upgrades include:
- 1940-'42 hydraulic ("juice") brakes.
- 1939 Ford 3-speed transmission with synchronized gears and V8 clutch.
- A much more precise F-100 steering box.
- A Borg Warner overdrive.
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The Model A four banger is a mechanical marvel. It produces 40 horsepower at only 2,200 rpm from 200.5 cubic inches (3,3 Liters), with an abundance of torque right from idle up to redline.
Model A engines were manufactured with such precision that a finely tuned stock Model A Roadster can putter along at 60mph, and this particular car, with overdrive engaged, can do this without stressing the engine. There are many speed parts for these coveted 4-bangers that easily add 50-to-100% power, mostly by raising the compression above the factory's 4.22:1 ratio - it had to be so low due to the 60-octane gasoline available at the time.
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According to the engine number, this particular engine has been supplied by Ford's Long Beach, California facility and has been fully and competently refurbished during the course of the restoration. It always starts on the button and once warmed up idles beautifully at only 450rpm. It never stalled, never ill-behaved, never overheated, never displayed any signs of problems while under my stewardship. Aside from a few isolated drops of oil after a long run, it's tight and doesn't need diapers, contrary to the belief that Model A Fords, just like old Harleys and Brit bikes, mark their territory.
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The car's undercarriage is so clean, you could eat off of it! The frame is superbly finished and powdercoated, as are a variety of the chassis components. The front fenders are definitely restored originals, but I'm not sure if the rear fenders are originals or reproductions. N.O.S. fenders now cost upward of $1,000, each. Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view |
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Above photos showing the undercarriage in more detail. Clearly visible are the hydraulic brake lines, the brake master cylinder, the wood body shims, and the hydraulic shock absorbers.
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Still clean as a whistle and working perfectly: 1939 Ford 3-speed transmission with synchronized gears and Borg Warner mechanical overdrive unit with electric solenoid. Also notable is the absence of oil leaks!
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This Model A Roadster features a genuine Henry Ford steel body with the early indented firewall that was built around April of 1931. It's as healthy as it gets and 100% rust free, top to bottom. The body sits aligned very nicely, without sagging, and the hood, doors, and rumble seat lid all shut well. TThe car was originally a rumble seat Roadster, but had been converted to trunk configeration by the previous owner. I converted it back to original, but kept all the parts needed for the conversion to a trunk car, just in case.
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Factory 19-inch wire wheels show no signs of corrosion, run perfectly true, and have been professionally refurbished in correct gloss black paint.
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I bought all new wheel spacers (needed if one runs hydraulic brakes), new cad-plated lug nuts, new stainless steel center caps, new rim bands, new tubes, and 4 new Lucas tires in the correct size of 4.75/5.00-19. For the spare wheel I was able to acquire a N.O.S. B.F. Goodrich tire in the same size.
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Although not needed in sunny Southern California, this Roadster is equipped with a Deluxe top frame and top. It's made from tan-colored canvas and has a glass rear window section that can be folded upward. The top folds up and down easily.
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There's also a top boot, made from black cross grain vinyl, which protects the top from dust, dirt, and furry felines looking for a cozy place to nap.
Notice that the bottom of the front window can be tilted forward, for an enhanced open air experience.
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If that isn't sufficient on really hot summer days, know that the entire windshield can be folded forward, Jeep-style. Configured this way, you'll be feeling like a motorcyclist riding without a helmet. Goggles recommended!
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The interior is a masterpiece of symetric simplicity. Interestingly, the dashboard itself is part of fuel tank, and the filler cap for it is visible right in front of the windshield. The beautiful, nickle-plated gauge cluster holds the mechanical fuel gauge on top, the key-operated ignition switch to the left, an ammeter to the right, and a mechanical speedometer with trip meter on the bottom. The rod on the right of the dashboard serves as a choke when pulled out and as carburetor enrichment when turned counterclockwise. The lever on the left side of the steering wheel, where modern cars have the turn signal switch, is the ignition adjustment: all the way up the distributor is fully retarded; moving it downward advances the timing. That's another function that modern cars perform automatically. The lever on the right of the steering wheel is the throttle. It's coupled to the regular "gas" pedal on the floor, and since there's no return spring, setting the throttle at a certain level works just like a cruise control. APCO water temp gauge and tach are period accessories.
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The bench seat and all panels are covered in black vinyl. It's a bit tight in there for a 6'6" driver like myself, but by removing the package shelf behind the seatback I gained several inches of additional space. No matter what size you are, you too will appreciate the slightly larger living room. There are no side windows, no seat belts, no turn signals; neither is there a heater or a radio. The car lacks all the amenities today's folks feel they can't live without. You know, the stuff that breaks, turns on the check engine light, and costs silly money at the dealer's to fix!
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Rumble seat area is spacious enough for two slim adults, three children or smurfs, or a couple of man's best friends. Without rumble seat passengers, there's plenty of space for your golf clubs and a couple of duffle bags. We've used the car for grocery runs and have stored six full grocery bags in there, sound, safe and out of sight.
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Originally, all Model A Fords came only with one tailight on the driver side. However, Mr. Henry Ford himself heavily promoted the purchase of a second tail light for enhanced safety, to be dealer installed. Certainly good advice and many customers followed it! Here the 12-volt lighting in combination with H4 light bulbs makes the amber-colored STOP sections of the taillights light up like they're on fire!
Let's drive!
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Turn on the ignition key, give it some choke, step on the starter pedal, and the Roadster instantly comes to life. Release the choke, advance the ignition, set the idle speed, put 'er in gear, and off you go! The car drives amazingly similar to a much more modern car. You'll sit tall and can see who's secretly texting while driving and who's not. You'll be surprised how smoothly everything works, clutch, shifting, steering, brakes. The car gives you utter confidence that it goes where you want it to go and decelerates and stops if you step on the brake pedal. Naturally you'll take it easy when operating a classic this old, but you won't have and elevated heart rate or sweaty palms. It's really like driving a "normal" car, just more exiting.
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Chauffeuring the Roadster puts a permanent smile on my face. Even more amazing are the reactions of bystanders, motorists and pedestrians alike. Children point, women wave, and you see the faces of older folks light up when they see this relic from their past. Everybody loves this car!
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Is this a perfect car? No, of course not, far from it. But it's not a hot rod either. It's a 1931 Ford Model A Roadster that has been sensibly improved in regard to safety and ease of operation. It has received a frame-off restoration that is now 14 years old, but with only 3,281 miles on the clock, holding up very well. I can only hope I'll still look this good when I turn 84!
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Final update on Tuesday, May 20, 2015.