Couple finally has brand new Model A — 65 years later
Published Monday September 8th, 2008
Fred Embree of Northport, Nova Scotia, is the proud owner of a car that was built 77 years ago. He bought it in pieces and now it's like new again:
"Back in the 1940s, I told my wife Jennie I would love to own a brand new Model A Ford. We were raising a family back then and couldn't afford it.
"Two years ago, I was looking through Old Autos newspaper and came across an ad from Mike Dobson, who was selling a 1931 Model A Ford in parts. I bought the car and Vic Mattison of Pugwash, N.S., went up to Oshawa and brought it home for me.
"I took it completely apart and bought all new parts from George Moir in Alberta and Dixie in Ontario. Vic Mattison put it all back together for me and painted it. My wife Jennie picked out the colours — two-tone green. Go Glass in Amherst, N.S., installed new windows and upholstery and the car is now 95 per cent brand new.
"I won't tell you what it cost, but I finally now have a brand new Model A Ford and my wife and I are very proud of it. We were married on Nov. 19, 1942, and recently celebrated our 65th wedding anniversary.
"We have been in the old car hobby since 1972. At present, we own our 1931 Model A, a 1925 Model T Ford, a 1949 Chev ¾ ton truck, and a 1964 Plymouth Valiant (American model), and we have all of them on the road in the summer.
"We belong to our own Cumberland Car Club and have a lot of fun going here and there. It's a lovely club with 80 to 90 members and we visit many different places with our antique cars."
The Model A Ford was built from 1928 to 1931 and was powered by a flathead four cylinder engine producing 40 horsepower from 200 cubic inches. The transmission was a three-speed floorshift affectionately known as a "crashbox" because it had no synchromesh and you had to double-clutch while changing gears.
To keep the price down, it had no fuel pump and relied upon gravity to bring the gasoline to the carburetor from the fuel tank inside the cowl, between the firewall and dashboard. The fuel filler cap was directly in front of the windshield.
The Model A Ford was available in a variety of colours and body styles. The two-passenger business coupe had a Windsor factory list price of $585 and the 4-passenger sport coupe with rumble seat was $630.
As a thank you, if your story is published in this column you will receive a copy of Bill Sherk's book "60 Years Behind the Wheel: The Cars We Drove in Canada 1900-1960". To share your stories or photos e-mail billtsherk@sympatico.ca or write Bill Sherk, 33 Oak St. E., P.O. Box 10012, Leamington, ON N8H 2C3.
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