Model 'A' 1903

antiquepa

antiquepa

Senior Member
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..
 
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.
 
1903-ford-rc.jpg


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.
 
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Model "T" books will have a brief summary of the history of FORD from Models A thru T, the one that did it!!
 
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 said:
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.
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You forgot about the B, C, and K.
 
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.
 
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!
 
They had horizontal 2 cylinder motors with a 2 speed planetary transmitter.. [Henry must have liked planetaries].. At least 2 seater serial #3 did..
 
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.
 

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Cool Hand Lurker said:
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.
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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
 
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
 
antiquepa said:
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..
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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.
 
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