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30 years family owned 1930 Ford Model A Roadster Standard 3-Speed Manual Type 40B
Available is a 30 years family owned 1930 Ford Model A Roadster Type 40B with 3-Speed Manual. The Model A is a significant car in the history of the automobile in North America and this example comes with the icing on top of being a roadster with rumble seat for open-air motoring on a fine summer Sunday. Despite its age, the car presents very well and has become a favourite at the shop where it was brought back to road-worthy after a year of storage on stands. (Consider this in the context of the rides in the background of some of the photos.) With the minor required recommissioning, this Model A starts, idles and runs easily – as seen in the videos. It is ready to be enjoyed on cruise days and at shows.
The primary colour of this Model A is an aftermarket Bronson yellow with black trim and green wheels – all in all, a smart combination. All trim is intact – from Ford insignia-emblazoned running boards to the “steps” in place for rumble seat access – an ingenious feature to keep feet off the paint when climbing in. Chrome remains in very nice condition – bumpers, , horn, external mirror, Ford centre caps, windshield frame, hood ornament (which doubles as a radiator cap), and trunk trim; light housings and radiator framings are stainless steel. The car is equipped with two bright brake lights, illustrated as functional in the driving video. Universal tires are in good condition, including the mounted spare with Ford-crested cover – a period-correct feature is that tire specs are noted thereon in imperial measurements. Please note that the majority of photos show the car with only one “wind wing” (I.E. vent window) installed, on the driver’s side. Since picture day, two shaded wings have been installed, as shown later in the gallery – images 188 and 189. Soft windows for above the doors are pictured uninstalled and stowed in the rumble seat area. There were no Roadster experts on hand when the photos were taken and they did not want to “push” the top in trying to lower it, given its very good condition – that is why the top is not pictured all the way down. Seller warrants that it does fold down completely. There are mere minor flaws in the finish – documented in the photos.
Primary colour in the cabin is black, accented by the other exterior colours, same for the rumble seat and its enclosure. Black vinyl upholstery on the front bench is in nice condition with no imperfections noted, the same can be said for the rumble seat. Map pockets showcase matching door cards in good condition. Doors are restrained by functional leather straps in good condition. The symmetrical four-spoke steering wheel is large diameter for ease of steering and is complemented by a centrally-mounted gauge package: fuel, amperage, odometer, even a trip odometer, horn and ignition; below the main cluster is a temperature gauge. The odometer reads 32183, true mileage is unknown (TMU). There is a decorative shift knob for the 3-speed, made of smoothed wood and sporting a checkerboard pattern. On the upper windshield area are mounted a rear-view mirror and clock; in front of the driver’s seating area is the motor for the windshield wiper.
The powertrain of this Model A is strong, following a full engine rebuild within the past five years by a Model A specialty shop in Southern Ontario, Koudy’s. The engine is a 200 cubic-inch inline-four cylinder, with L-head. Engine work done was a full rebuild, including high-quality Babbit bearings. (no insert bearings, poured in molten metal, then line bored; pistons, valves, rings and guides were replaced – it is also running a re-ground camshaft).
Transmission is floor-shifted and a 3-speed sliding mesh manual, unsynchronized, it sends the “go” of 40 factory horsepower to the rear wheels. The Model A was the first Ford to employ conventional clutch and brake pedals, throttle, and gearshift – embracing standard, moving away from Ford-specific controls foreign to drivers of other makes (and, today, drivers of modern cars). This car’s mechanicals show well – the spacious engine bay is clean and accessible. No corrosion is noted other than of the most minor surface variety, including on the undercarriage, which is featured in the photo gallery.
With over 112,000 Roadsters produced for 1930, almost 5 million Model A’s built, all told, and the extensive following that these cars enjoy, parts are generally widely available. They were produced in over 25 factories worldwide – this example was built in Windsor, On – Winnipeg was the other Canadian plant. As well as helping with parts availability, the dedicated clubs across the country have a loyal membership base and are a good spot to enjoy the Model A hobby with like-minded FoMoCo buffs. After a year of storage, this car needed minor reconditioning – light carburetor cleaning and a battery charge to bring it to the condition shown in photos and videos.
This 30 years family owned 1930 Ford Model A Roadster Standard 3-Speed Manual is available with two sets of keys and the spare parts photographed from the owner in Greater Ottawa.
