The Model A Ford, Henry's Lady
The Model A Ford, Henry's Lady
| The Model A Ford replaced the Model T line. Production began in very late 1927 and continued into 1931. The few cars built in 1927 were actually 1928 models. The Model A Ford gradually evolved with many changes, much like the Model T did. The 1928 and 1929 cars look very much alike, superficially. Major styling changes occurred in 1930 and it is very easy to distinguish between the '28/29 and the '30/31 cars. |
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Orrin and Cathy's 1929 roadster. This car was restored by
Les's Restorations of Lyons, South Dakota. It is run by Les Iseminger, Orrin's
nephew. This particular car was rolled off the Ford assembly line on
Columbus Day, 1929.
Purists will note such deficiencies as a missing center bumper clamp. This picture was taken toward the end of restoration. A number of details were taken care of soon after. Click here to see larger image 56k (Use your browser's "back" feature to return to this page.) |
| 1929 Model A coupe, "Buttercup." This delightful little car was built on St. Valentine's Day, 1929.
An infamous event occurred on this day in Chicago. Do you know what it was? This car, even though it is a 1929 model, has a number of 1928 features, such as fluted headlight lenses and a drum-style tail light. Henry Ford never let anything go to waste. Whenever a part was redesigned, all the old stock of parts would be used up on the assembly line before using the new ones. Buttercup spent her entire life in and around Kendrick, Idaho until we purchased her in 1995. Jim Hoogland restored her sometime around 1986. She sat unused, mostly, for those nine years. She was almost like new when we got her. The first time we saw Buttercup it was love at first sight. We installed powder coated wheels, put in a newly rebuilt engine, a Mitchell overdrive, a new radiator, and new transmission internals. She's a great cruiser. Click here to see larger image 62k (Use your browser's "back" feature to return to this page.) |
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| "Lloyd" is the finest addition to Cathy and Orrin's Model A
stable, arriving on Good Friday, 2000. Restored to concours standards by Lloyd
Harmon of Spokane, Washington, Lloyd takes top awards everywhere we show him,
so far. This truck sports the smoothest-running Model A engine we've
ever owned. It runs like a fine Swiss watch. He's Cathy's pride and joy.
Click here to see larger image 75k (Use your browser's "back" feature to return to this page.) |
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| "Lucy" is the latest addition to our Model A
barn. She has never been restored; but, she received normal upkeep and
mechanical repairs, whenever needed. Some of things done to her were
not "correct" from the purist's point of view; but, she stands here in
all honesty as a typical car that was given TLC through the ages.
The "illegal" repairs include new covers sewn over the wearing surfaces of the seats. Done in contrasting colors, the repairs look just fine. Aside from that, Lucy is a joy to work on, knowing that almost every piece on her is just the way it was when it came from the factory. Model A people dream of "finds" like this one. The previous owner, Clint Luce, approached us one day when we were showing some of our cars. He was looking for a home for his pride and joy; a place where she wouldn't be "rodded." A long and tortuous journey later, Lucy eventually found her way into our garage. Alas, I think her loss broke Clint's heart. He passed away not long after. But, I know he's now looking down on her, smiling, because of the loving care we are giving her. Even though she was carefully and fondly stored in the best of places, after being parked for decades it took almost two years of repairs and upkeep to get Lucy road-worthy, again. Lucy is a joy to drive. With only 34,500 honest miles on the odometer, she is not worn out, by any means! Click here to see larger image 86k (Use your browser's "back" feature to return to this page.) |
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Copyright © 1998-2007, Orrin B. Iseminger
Revised -- 1/18/07