Richmond club revives century-old Fords

The Old Dominion Model A Ford Club of Greater Richmond faces a mechanical challenge: keeping nearly 100-year-old engines operational. The group works to maintain the Model A, a vehicle Ford Motor Company produced between 1927 and 1931. During that four-year span, the company built approximately 5 million units. Only a small fraction of those cars remain on the road today.

Dennis Stone, the club president, describes the social aspect of the gatherings. He notes that members and spectators often smile when the vehicles arrive. Stone recalls a recent event where a woman waved from a window as the cars passed. Stew Wolfe, the vice president, adds that the vehicles attract attention from all age groups. He said the group receives many smiles per mile and that children react with excitement when the drivers use the ahooga horn.

Henry Nelson, the club secretary, provided historical context on the car's debut. He referenced a newspaper advertisement from December 1927 that announced the arrival of the new Model A. Henry Ford developed the car as a direct upgrade to the Model T. Nelson pointed to the advertisement as a marker for the start of this new automotive era.

Stone explained that the vehicles lacked modern conveniences such as radios, air conditioning, and power brakes. He described the driving experience as bare bones, noting that the cars were the cheapest on the market at the time. Despite the lack of luxury features, the Model A introduced several technical improvements over its predecessor.

Nelson detailed the specific innovations included in the design. The cars came standard with an electric starter, eliminating the need for a hand crank. They also featured brakes on all four wheels and shock absorbers. Drivers could check their oil levels using a dipstick without getting under the vehicle. The dashboard included gauges that displayed the car's speed.

The club members continue to maintain these mechanical systems to ensure the vehicles remain drivable. Their efforts keep the cars moving and preserve the history of the Model A for current and future drivers.