Canadian Model A, Left hand or right hand drive?

[Model "A" Fords]

The Canadian Model A Ford was made as both Right Hand Drive and Left Hand Drive vehicles. RHD vehicles were shipped to overseas destinations where RHD was the norm. Both LHD and RHD Fords were also made for the Canadian market. Most of Canada used LHD vehicles but Newfoundland was still RHD. Later, Newfoundland would adopt the use of LHD vehicles.

To build both left and right hand cars, Ford Canada simplified this somewhat by having parts made interchangeable that fit both left and right. Holes for both side were put on the same part, the appropriate holes used while leaving the other holes empty.

One of the major parts to take on this ambidextrous concept was the chassis. Most chassis that Canada built, accepted both LHD & RHD use. This can be quickly spotted by the vacant holes opposite a part already mounted which the opposite hand part would have used.

Chassis, were built by the National Steel Car Company of Canada, in Hamilton Ontario, and is still operating today. They are known for making steel railway cars mostly, but back then, they produced chassis for many car manufactures including Ford Canada. Having large presses avaliable made it a good fit.

Some parts were hand specific, such as the tail light bracket, made only for one style, Either the RHD or LHD. Ford Motor Company of Canada offered a right fender bracket to add a second tail light on LHD cars in November 1931. These lights gave more visibility. Oddly, they were known to mount some left hand brackets to the right fender instead of the right bracket, leaving two lefts. This issue can still be noticed if you look for it.

Although both left and right brackets were produced, it was difficult to notice the difference. Now, even as both are reproduced, cars are still falling into the same trap. If your car has both left hand brackets, it doesn't mean it is a Canadian car as Americans make the odd mistake now also.

When looking at LHD & RHD Model A Fords, there doesn't seem to be much of a difference. If you were to attempt converting from LHD to RHD or RHD to LHD that's where you may be faced with more than you bargained for. Some different parts that are evident are the steering column, gas tank, drag link, pitman & steering arms, gear shift tower, hand brake lever, wiring harness, bell housing, starter bracket, intake manifold, brake cross shaft.... you get the Idea!

*Until January 1929 the distinctive Dark Blue rad shell emblem that looked almost Black was also used on RHD cars. In keeping with the right hand, left hand theme, there was talk of making it more of an Off White by Henry Ford to oppose the dark Blue. He was told by Ford Canada's president that he had no say in Ford Canada, or its decisions on the makeup of the Canadian Model A Ford.

*Henry was described as being very agitated, and was noticed leaving Ford Canada's boardroom carrying a couple boxes of Robertson Screws just peeking from his pants pockets, along with a Robertson Screwdriver in his lapel and a few Ford Canada's color charts inside his jacket. Edsel Ford was nice enough to return them as they departed the building.

There were many more LHD than RHD Canadian vehicles made. Ford Canada's all time export of RHD cars totaled 33,000, these going to the British Commonwealth countries. By March 1931, their total combination of RHD & LHD vehicles had reached 1,000,000. Obviously, switching over from RHD to LHD, there would be more parts avaliable to pick from. Going from LHD to RHD would be a more difficult undertaking.

I have driven RHD cars in our LHD atmosphere and didn't have any issues. It is actually a fun novelty that attracts everyone's attention. Personally I wouldn't convert RHD or LHD, just enjoy them as they were built.

Right hand drive Model A Fords were also produced in the U.S.A. but were not the same as Canadian RHD. We still had our unique differences associated with all Canadian Model A Fords and we shared it with everyone that got one of are special cars.

Notes * this may be fictitious.