History of the Ford Model A and Our Warrior: The 1931 Ford Model A De Luxe Phaeton

Produced between 1928 and 1931, the Ford Model A was the second most successful car by the Ford Motor Company. It was the successor to the Ford Model T, which began production in 1908 and ended in 1927. Interestingly, even before the Model T, Ford had already used the name Model A for a car produced between 1903 and 1904.

The Model A, better known after its reintroduction in 1928, marked another major milestone for the automaker. It came in a wide range of colors—not just the classic black—featured simpler handling, and was equipped with 21-inch wire wheels.

Production started at the end of 1927, and sales quickly became a success, increasing year after year. Between 1928 and 1931, around 4.8 million units were produced.

At the time, the price varied depending on the body style chosen by the buyer, from the simplest, like the two-seater roadster with what Brazilians affectionately call the “mother-in-law seat,” to the most sophisticated, the Town Car. Prices ranged from $385 to $1,400.

All models were powered by a 3.3L inline-four engine, producing around 40 horsepower. Water-cooled and not very sophisticated by today’s standards, the Ford Model A could reach a top speed of about 65 mph (105 km/h). It averaged about 8 km/l (roughly 19 mpg) on both highways and city streets, according to collectors and enthusiasts.

It came with a 3-speed manual transmission plus reverse, all non-synchronized, which meant double-clutching was required when shifting gears. The braking system used mechanical drum brakes on all four wheels, operated by rods directly connected to the pedal.

Throughout the years, the Ford Model A went through a few changes. Some details include: the headlights (which were pointier until 1929), the radiator shell (in 1931, it featured a painted upper section), auxiliary lamps, and the wheels, which were updated to 19 inches in 1930. A unique detail of the 1928 models is that they had no exterior door handles.

Many people may wonder if these cars still run today.
The answer is very simple: YES! Of course they do. In Brazil, there are several examples of individuals, couples, and families who travel in these vehicles to amazing places.

The pre-war car culture is growing every day. Interest in these vehicles had once declined, but as we know, history is cyclical. Demand for these kinds of cars is rising again—especially for those that are ready to hit the road once more.

One example is the Confraria Pré-Guerra, created by a group of friends with the goal of bringing these vehicles back to life. In less than a year, they already have more than 250 members with their cars back in action—participating in drives, lunches, and other events.

Now I’d like to share the story of our 1931 Ford Model A 180-A.

During the pandemic, I—João Victor Siciliano—kept asking my father, João Siciliano, for a little “Fordinho” (a nickname in Brazil for the Model A) to remember the cars that my grandfather, Romeu Siciliano, loved and collected back in the day. He had a huge passion for pre-war vehicles, so we knew we needed one of these in our garage.

My father and I started searching. At first, we considered a Ford “Baratinha” (a small Brazilian nickname for the Model A coupe), then a Phaeton. But we soon remembered a beautiful De Luxe Phaeton owned by our dear friends, the Tosini family. They used to own a few of these cars, all restored with great care and attention to detail.

When we specifically remembered this model, we had to get in touch with the family to try and bring it into our home. After some conversations and negotiations, the deal was done.

My father surprised us by arriving with the car in our garage—it was an incredible moment of joy for our family. This car is now part of our family circle, bringing back memories and happiness to all of us.

To share some of those memories, I’ve prepared a video about our Warrior.

João Victor Siciliano, 15/02/2024