It is a real engine!! Just not as powerful as a typical engine in our full-sized Model-A. The crazy thing is if you were to have a brand new full-sized Model-A engine with all the accessories just like this one, You would be in that one for 'north' of $15k. Take that figure and divide it by 1/5th (-since that is the scale of the miniature engine) and you would be close to the same $$ value. IMO
Like everything else, the price of these has seemingly rose. About Covid time, one surfaced on eBay that had a $2,500 Buy-it-Now. I put my bid in for the buy it now but someone else did the same thing about a second before I placed my bid. Not sure I would be a player at $5k, but these miniature engines do have a strong following.
....and the description: This 4-port Riley Model A racing engine OHV conversion was designed and built by Ron Bement, of Colorado, in 2014. In the early 1930s, George Riley produced 2- and 4-port overhead valve conversions for early 4-cylinder flathead engines in an attempt to increase performance, horsepower and speeds. They were commonly used on the Ford model T, A, and B engines as well as a few other makes.
The lack of good metallurgy combination with increased horsepower created reliability issues with the heads during long grueling races. As a result, Riley heads were better suited for short races and became a standard for small oval track racing.
Ron’s model “A” engine includes his miniature version of the 4-port Riley conversion and his custom designed fuel injection system. On the stand it measures 14″-wide, 13″-tall, 18.5″-long, and weighs 25 pounds. The front gear case supports a water pump, fuel pump, and two oil pumps for dry sump lubrication. The engine burns gasoline on electronic ignition and displays Ron’s signature-trademark “MOON”
....or how about this one:
....or this one:
....and its description: In the 1980s, Lee Root produced this 1/4 scale replica of the 4-cylinder, water-cooled engine used in the famous Ford Model A automobile of 1928. (Courtesy of Margarita and Al Root, and Rhetta and John Hopfauf.) The engine is machined from 7075 aircraft grade aluminum and clear anodized for the color and finish. Mr. Root never made drawings for his engines, but always worked from sketches and notes plus his imagination. It is a 4-cylinder, water-cooled, side valve (the valves are located in the crankcase next to the cylinders) engine with a 180° crankshaft. The model engine burns gasoline on spark ignition and supports and internal pressurized oiling system. There are no castings used in this engine, which is 11”-long, 6”-wide, and 10”-high.