The Ford Model A had a short production run compared to the Model T that it replaced, but nearly five million of them were built between 1927 and 1932. Offered with a huge array of body styles, the Model A featured a 3285cc four-cylinder engine, three-speed non-synchromesh gearbox and four-wheel brakes. There was also a 2-litre variant built specially for the UK market.

The Model A was a ‘clean sheet of paper’ design – period sales literature described it as being all new ‘from radiator cap to rear axle’ – and it was an immediate sales success. It was also the first Ford to wear the famous blue-oval badge.

In more recent times, the Model A’s simple and rugged mechanicals have made it a fine vintage touring car and a popular pre-war choice for endurance rallying.

This particular car is a 1930 example that was originally manufactured in Canada and then shipped in ‘Completely Knocked Down’ form to the Ford factory in Buenos Aires. It was imported to the UK in 1996 and treated to a nut-and-bolt restoration, having been acquired by Adrian Shooter.

Shooter had gone from studying mechanical engineering to joining British Rail as a management trainee in 1970, and he subsequently rose through the ranks to become chairman of Chiltern Railways. Not only was he a great rail enthusiast who owned his own steam locomotive, he was chairman of the Model A Ford Club of Great Britain.

This Model A was converted to right-hand drive as part of the work carried out in the mid-1990s. The carburettor was converted from an updraught Zenith to a downdraught arrangement and the distributor was changed to a later type. The gravity-fed fuel system benefitted from the fitment of an SU electric fuel pump and an additional fuel tank was installed in order to accommodate the long days on the endurance events.

The original six-volt charging system was converted to 12 volts, while the front bench was replaced with two individual leather seats, complete with headrests. The current spec also includes an alternator conversion, K&N air filter and Stromberg carburettor for the big four-cylinder engine.

Shooter made good use of the Model A once it had been restored and prepared for endurance rallying. He used the car on the 2010 Peking-Paris, during which he raised money for the Ponheary Ly Foundation, which supported schoolchildren in Cambodia. On the rally the Ford’s gearbox broke, a replacement was flown out as hand luggage and changed on the event! – testament to the simplicity of the design of these cars.

Shooter also completed the 2013 Great South American Challenge, which led crews through Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Argentina, plus the 2014 Road to Mandalay and the Maya Classic.

Now being offered for sale needing some slight re-commissioning, this proven and reliable Ford Model A was well specified and maintained by its long-term enthusiast owner and is looking to tackle its next adventure.

The car is currently with RPS’ sister company, the SASCo storage facilityand available for inspection.

All viewings and test drives welcomed by appointment at Rally Preparation Services.

All enquiries please contact us on mail@rpsrally.com or telephone +44(0)1993 358009

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