Many years later it was discovered in a barn in South Australia, and restored in the 1990s. This right-hand drive Tudor (two-door) sedan was manufactured in Canada and assembled in Australia. Ford outsold Chevrolet 2-to-l in 1929/30 when more than 1.4 million were sold - the Model A's best year - and production continued until the V8's arrival in 1932 saw Ford's four-cylinder car renamed 'Model B'. Ford priced the new Model A at just $450 and would go on to build 4.8 million over the next four years despite the prevailing economic gloom. The T's ungainly styling was abandoned, and the eagerly awaited Model A's up-to-the-minute looks, choice of colours and, needless to say, competitive pricing, helped ensure its success. A three-speed sliding gear transmission replaced the T's planetary gears, there was coil-and-battery instead of magneto ignition, and at last there was a brake for each wheel. A more complex car than its predecessor, the 'A' was also more powerful, its 3.3-litre four-cylinder sidevalve engine producing 40bhp - double the output of the T - which was good enough for a top speed of 65mph.
Replacement for the ubiquitous Model T, the Model A went on sale in December 1927. Ford could make a utility car still look like a "car", low purchase price often being accompanied by a lively performance and good fuel economy.' - Bruce Hudson, British Light Cars 1930-1939.
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