Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-01-2012, 06:49 PM   #1
antiquepa
Senior Member
 
antiquepa's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: wheeling west virginia
Posts: 230
Default Model 'A' 1903

The 1st model 'A' was in 1903 from what henrys lady book states..the model T that its very name came to suggest a rebirth and one which eclipsed the EARLIER Model 'A' of 1903...can anyone tell me where I can get more information of the 1st model A of 1903 and what other model henry produced although some did not go into production. I always wondered why the model A was called the model A after the Model T, now that I have the answer was just woundering about the other models..
antiquepa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2012, 07:20 PM   #2
RichardW
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Deer Park, Texas
Posts: 100
Default Re: Model 'A' 1903

Somehow Model U just doesn't sound right.
RichardW is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 04-01-2012, 07:25 PM   #3
LukeDahlinger
BANNED
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 956
Default Re: Model 'A' 1903

The 28-31 Model A was such a new car, Henry Ford thought it proper to start over in the alphabet.

An excellent book on pre-T Fords is one by Carlton Pate. I have a copy and it's a nice book, the CD of photos is great too!
http://www.earlyfordcars.info/
__________________
Wanted- Feb. 1931 Parts Price List
www.vintagefordfacts.blogspot.com
LukeDahlinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2012, 07:31 PM   #4
Keith True
Senior Member
 
Keith True's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Epping N.H.
Posts: 2,969
Default Re: Model 'A' 1903

There are some historical records and documentation that states Henry went through the letters of the alphabet with his cars until he hit success with the Model T.He said with the later A,it was a fresh start so he was starting over with A again.My mother has pictures of DR.Mitchell here in town with his new 1903 Model A with his driver.He doctored both people and animals,and had to run out to farms at all hours of the day or night.He couldn't drive himself,he had a hired driver that had to be available at all times.That must have been quite a job,hang around and wait to run off at a moments notice.In later years he had a T snowmobile to get to the farms in the winter.
Keith True is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2012, 07:57 PM   #5
IrishHills
Senior Member
 
IrishHills's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Brooklyn, Michigan "Home of M.I.S."
Posts: 398
Default Re: Model 'A' 1903



The original Ford Model A is the first car produced by Ford Motor Company, beginning production in 1903. Ernst Pfenning of Chicago, Illinois became the first owner of a Model A on July 23, 1903. 1,750 cars were made from 1903 through 1904. The Model A was replaced by the Ford Model C during 1904 with some sales overlap.

Last edited by IrishHills; 04-01-2012 at 08:02 PM.
IrishHills is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2012, 08:55 PM   #6
al's28/33
Senior Member
 
al's28/33's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Redwood City, CA
Posts: 1,588
Default Re: Model 'A' 1903

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Model "T" books will have a brief summary of the history of FORD from Models A thru T, the one that did it!!
al's28/33 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2012, 09:41 PM   #7
RcT
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 451
Default Re: Model 'A' 1903

I certainly am no Ford historian, but the first 1903 Model A was followed by the 1906 Model N, still not Henry's car for the masses... There was also a Model F, the "high-priced" Ford, all before the T. I'm only guessing that in between there were possibly some other model designated with letters that never made it into production.
RcT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2012, 09:56 PM   #8
LukeDahlinger
BANNED
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 956
Default Re: Model 'A' 1903

Quote:
Originally Posted by RcT View Post
I certainly am no Ford historian, but the first 1903 Model A was followed by the 1906 Model N, still not Henry's car for the masses... There was also a Model F, the "high-priced" Ford, all before the T. I'm only guessing that in between there were possibly some other model designated with letters that never made it into production.

You forgot about the B, C, and K.
__________________
Wanted- Feb. 1931 Parts Price List
www.vintagefordfacts.blogspot.com
LukeDahlinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2012, 10:19 PM   #9
criswellnk
Senior Member
 
criswellnk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Detroit
Posts: 288
Default Re: Model 'A' 1903

Not every letter of the "alphabet" cars went into production. The first of the alphabet series was the model A in 1903, then in 1904 came the model AC (an A with a C engine), the model B and the model C. During 1905 the model F was introduced and them in 1906 came the 6 cylinder model K, also in 1906 came the model N. During 1907 and 1908 came the models R and S.

Model A, 1903
Model AC, 1904
Model B, 1904
Model C, 1904
Model F, 1905
Model K, 1906
Model N, 1906
Model R, 1907
Model S, 1907/1908
Model T, 1908
Model A, 1927/1928
Model B, 1932

All dates taken from the Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942, by Henry Austin Clark, jr.
__________________
"Son, there are two ways to do this, your way and the right way." Thanks dad.


Looking for a copy or reprint of 1932 A.E.A. Universal Catalog of Genuine Electrical Service Parts
criswellnk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2012, 10:26 PM   #10
WTSHNN
Senior Member
 
WTSHNN's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,413
Default Re: Model 'A' 1903

Quote:
Originally Posted by LukeDahlinger View Post
An excellent book on pre-T Fords is one by Carlton Pate. I have a copy and it's a nice book, the CD of photos is great too!
http://www.earlyfordcars.info/
I second that. Great book.

WTSHNN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2012, 09:06 AM   #11
antiquepa
Senior Member
 
antiquepa's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: wheeling west virginia
Posts: 230
Default Re: Model 'A' 1903

Thanks to all, you guys are full of a wealth of Information...Question well answered.
antiquepa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2012, 11:20 AM   #12
Purdy Swoft
Senior Member
 
Purdy Swoft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
Default Re: Model 'A' 1903

Were the 8 or 10 horsepower engines that were mounted under the seat in 1903-1904 vertically opposed two cylinder engines? I think that I know where one is about 50 miles from me. The guy is not sure what it is, but thinks it is a Ford. He also figures that it is worth a fortune. There is not much left of tyhe body and the guy can't make it run. The problem is the timing. The guy is the type that you mostly can't help, so I didn't try!
Purdy Swoft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2012, 11:32 AM   #13
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
Default Re: Model 'A' 1903

They had horizontal 2 cylinder motors with a 2 speed planetary transmitter.. [Henry must have liked planetaries].. At least 2 seater serial #3 did..
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2012, 12:36 PM   #14
Cool Hand Lurker
Senior Member
 
Cool Hand Lurker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: So Minn
Posts: 1,564
Default Re: Model 'A' 1903

Museum cars are nice, but the REAL drivers will be going on the 25th New London to New Brighton Antique Car Run this August 9 starting in New London, Minnesota. http://www.antiquecarrun.org/

Here are a few of the cars from past years, starting with a blue Brush, ending with a REO and includes a red Ford Model A with a very low number that was one of the first Model A's to come off the line. The Model T photos are of our Model T club which meets at a farm outside of town and then forms up alongside the two-block long main street of Kingston, Minnesota to welcome the "old" cars to town for their lunch break.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Kingston collage.jpg (98.9 KB, 53 views)
Cool Hand Lurker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2012, 03:09 PM   #15
WTSHNN
Senior Member
 
WTSHNN's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,413
Default Re: Model 'A' 1903

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cool Hand Lurker View Post
includes a red Ford Model A with a very low number that was one of the first Model A's to come off the line.
If you're referring to the red Ford in the top right of that collage, it isn't a Model A. I believe it is a Model "S".

The crank comes through the radiator which I believe started with the K's in 1906. The red car in your picture also has fenders that come down towards the hood/engine which I think is a feature unique to the "S" probably a 1906-1908.

Still a cool car regardless.

-Tim
WTSHNN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2012, 03:32 PM   #16
Clem Clement
Senior Member
 
Clem Clement's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fairfax, VA
Posts: 3,390
Default Re: Model 'A' 1903

The same kinda if numbering goes with military fighters. At some piont is the concept stage an alfa numeric is designated. If the concept is cancelled the number goes with it. The AF, anyway, changed their numbering system more that once as well.

F-100
F-101
F-102
F104
F105
F106
F-107 cx
F-108 cx

Somewhere after the F-117 that changed and now we have F-15/16/22/35
Clem Clement is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2012, 09:02 PM   #17
Bruce Adams
Senior Member
 
Bruce Adams's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Northport, NY
Posts: 1,597
Default Re: Model 'A' 1903

Quote:
Originally Posted by antiquepa View Post
The 1st model 'A' was in 1903 from what henrys lady book states..the model T that its very name came to suggest a rebirth and one which eclipsed the EARLIER Model 'A' of 1903...can anyone tell me where I can get more information of the 1st model A of 1903 and what other model henry produced although some did not go into production. I always wondered why the model A was called the model A after the Model T, now that I have the answer was just woundering about the other models..
Following a search of my many books on early Ford vehicles, I think the one book that answers your questions, along with photos of most of the "Early, PRE T Fords" is THE CARS THAT HENRY FORD BUILT, by Beverly Rae Kimes.
Bruce Adams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-04-2012, 02:16 AM   #18
Mike V. Florida
Senior Member
 
Mike V. Florida's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 14,054
Send a message via AIM to Mike V. Florida
Default Re: Model 'A' 1903

Look here;

The early Fords
__________________
What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II
Mike V. Florida is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:56 PM.