The Model A was the designation of two cars made by Ford Motor Company.
1903 Model A
The original Model A, also called the Fordmobile, was the first car produced by Ford beginning production in 1903. Dr. Ernst Pfenning of Chicago, Illinois became the first owner of a Model A on July 23, 1903. 1750 cars were made from 1903-1905. The car came as a two-seater or four-seater with an option to add a top. The car was powered by a two cylinder 8HP engine with a top speed of 45 mph (72 km/h). It had a 72 inch (1.8 m) wheelbase and sold for a base price of $750. Options included a rear seat for $100, a rubber roof for $30 or a leather roof for $50.
The company had spent almost its entire $28,000 initial investment funds with only $223.65 left in its bank account when the first Model A was sold. The success of this car model generated a profit for the company and made Ford Motor Company Henry Ford's first successful business.
1927 Model A
The second Model A was the second major success for the Ford Motor Co. First produced Oct. 20, 1927 but not sold until December 2, it replaced the venerable Model T, which had been produced for 18 years. The Model A was available in four standard colors, but not black.
Prices ranged from $385 for a roadster to $570 for the top-of-the-line Fordor. The engine was an L-head 4-cylinder with a displacement of 200.5 cubic inch (3.3 L). Typical fuel consumption was between 20 and 30 mpg (US) (9 and 12 L/100 km) using a Zenith one barrel carburetor, with a top speed of around 65 mph (104 km/h). It had a 103.5 inch (2.6 m) wheelbase with a gear ratio of 3.77:1. The transmission was a 3 speed sliding gear unit with 1 speed reverse. The Model A had 4-wheel mechanical brakes.
The Model A came in a wide variety of styles: Coupe (Standard and Deluxe), Business Coupe, Sport Coupe, Roadster Coupe (Standard and Deluxe), Convertible Cabriolet, Convertible Sedan, Phaeton (Standard and Deluxe), Tudor (Standard and Deluxe), Town Car, Fordor (2-window) (Standard and Deluxe), Fordor (3-window) (Standard and Deluxe), Victoria, Station Wagon, Taxicab, Truck, and Commercial.
Final production ended on August 31, 1931, with 4,320,446 Model A's made in all styles. It was replaced by an updated model called the Ford Model B.
The Russian company GAZ, which started as a cooperation between Ford and the Soviet Union, made a licensed version of the Model A.