Info about vintage A racecars wanted

[wkuehnis]

Hi,

I am Wilhelm from Switzerland.
I've been driving a Ford-T for many years and a Ford-A for 2 years.
Since one year, I am building a 1929 Ford-A Speedster.
This car was imported to Switzerland from Virginia, USA in March 1982 and has never been registered here.

I now have a problem: Our vehicle control wants a “story” about the vehicle so that I can enroll it as a Speedster.
I would therefore like to have some historical data from the USA about car racing in the 1930s:
When were the Ford-A used as a racing car?
What success did they have ?
Are there any pictures of a racing car?
There may also be pictures from Virginia since the last title was issued at the following address: Thompson Ford, Inc, 1020 W. Mercury Blvd, Hapton, Virginia 23666
Since I installed hydraulic brakes because of safety, I would also like to have evidence that Ford-A was converted to them in the 1930s.

Question: Who can help me ?

Many thanks for your help

Wilhelm Kuhnis

[Jim Brierley]

Wilhelm, contact me at [email protected]. There is a huge history of A's being raced back in the day, A's and even T's were run at Indy, a couple even after WWII. I am not an expert but can perhaps guide you a little on where to find what you want.

[1crosscut]

The address the car was last registered at is a Ford dealership. You might try to contact them to see if they have any information that can help you.
https://www.wynneford.com/

[Brad in Germany]

Grüetzi Willi,

There was a Ford magazine published for the Swiss market in the Model A years titled "Ich und mein Auto" (in German) and "Revue Ford" (in French). Here is the cover of one of the issues from 1931 with a Roadster in some kind of a race:



In that magazine there are several articles about racing Model A's in various places in Europe including in Switzerland, Portugal and Belgium. Note the Speedster pictured in this article:




......and some more Speedsters in this article:


I know that you were looking for information from the US, but perhaps this information on racing Model A's in Switzerland, Portugal and Belgium may be of interest anyway and might help convince the Swiss authorities about your Speedster.

With Model A greetings from Maryland, USA,
Brad

[Entlebucher]

Originally Posted by Brad in Germany

Grüetzi Willi,

There was a Ford magazine published for the Swiss market in the Model A years titled "Ich und mein Auto" (in German) and "Revue Ford" (in French). Here is the cover of one of the issues from 1931 with a Roadster in some kind of a race:



In that magazine there are several articles about racing Model A's in various places in Europe including in Switzerland, Portugal and Belgium. Note the Speedster pictured in this article:



With Model A greetings from Maryland, USA,
Brad

Thank you for sharing Brad! Living right next to the Eigenthal, might need to give the "Bergrennen" a restart

[Juggler]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Programme from 1929 TT race in Ireland (credit Mart for finding this)

http://www.progcovers.com/motor/ards290817.pdf

Fords listed on pages 52 and 53

Interesting to note that car number 59 piloted by Wright and Waugh listed as 2043cc, so the English 14.9hp engine. My Dad has one in his rhd '29 Phaeton. I feel an Ards Belfast 1929 Tourist Trophy tribute car coming on

tourist-trophy29-start1

1929_tourist_trophy_ards_belfast_start

Neil B did some calcs based on the handicap system/number of laps completed:-

"Well, at over 2 litres the Fords would have been given just a 1 lap credit but even so, they covered 24 laps at 13.75 miles per lap (= 330 miles) in the time it took the winner to complete 30 laps: 5 hours 37 minutes and 40 seconds, ie. an average speed of over 57 mph."

I'm amazed that a 14.9hp motor would get a 4 door Phaeton to 57mph, let alone average that speed for over five and a half hours. Wonder if they got a 'big' motor past the scrutineers . Even then that seems high

[Juggler]

There's even a Pathe newsreel

Car number 58 (I think) goes past at 2.05, complete with English spec side lights

https://youtu.be/zURLb76vnG0

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by wkuehnis

Since I installed hydraulic brakes because of safety, I would also like to have evidence that Ford-A was converted to them in the 1930s.

Well since Ford did not introduce hydraulic brakes on their vehicles until 1939, I sincerely doubt you are going to find actual documentations to substantiate that a Model-A was retrofitted with them in the 1930s.

Also just my 2 cents, but most US-built Model-A race cars were constructed for driving on a race track and likely were never registered for on-highway usage.

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

I understand that under some regulations 200 cubes was too much. Don’t know the size limit, but As we’re cut down to two cylinders to meet specs. They were slow coming out of the corners, but did good on the straightaways.

[RDVAARK]

Hello Wilhelm,
Here are two websites that could be helpful to you.
WWW.secretsofspeed.com
I recently got a gift subscription from a wonderful friend, himself an old time hotrodder and presently a gifted builder (but no e-contact). This has a wealth of historical info, right back to manufacturers and lots of old time stories in its archives and back issues. Also lots of detailed pictures showing how 'it' was done and could be done again. Also a source of parts and home of The Secrets Of Speed Society, membership comes with subscription.
Second source; www.theraceofgentlemen.com
This site and links show what is done today. Their rules show why updates are good,or needed-this could explain to the authorities why you have hydraulic brakes.
Both are excellent sources. Good luck in your endeavor!
Russ

[ModelA29]

Check with these guys too. https://www.foureverfour.com/


I doubt you'll find any actual history that your car raced in the 30s. A car with proven history would be snapped up at a premium by someone wanting to vintage race it. Most of the vintage race groups require cars with a proven pedigree.

If your vehicle dept wants the car to have actual "old" history just search the internet for an old B&W photo of an A racer and declare your car is the one in the picture.
The mechanical brakes would be fine on a speedster. They are adequate on a normal car and even better when you take a few hundred pounds off the car.

[Brad in Germany]

You might also check out the "Ford Model A Speedster Build" group on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/264986974102647




Brad in Maryland (USA)

[updraught]

In other countries that had local content rules like here, bare chassis were imported. You could put whatever body you liked on it.
So dealers built "sports" quite often as they were simple and cheap. One is still the current road record holder.

[Dave Mellor NJ]

The address should be Hampton, Va not Hapton