Richmond club keeps 1927 Fords running
Local enthusiasts gather in Glen Allen to maintain and drive Model A vehicles that were produced between 1927 and 1931.
By Katherine Diallo ·
The Old Dominion Model A Ford Club of Greater Richmond organizes local car owners to maintain and operate vehicles from the late 1920s. Dennis Stone, the club president, leads these gatherings in Glen Allen, Virginia. Members come together to keep the engines running and share stories about the cars.
Ford Motor Company introduced the Model A as a replacement for the Model T in 1927. Henry Nelson, the club secretary, noted that a newspaper advertisement from December 1927 announced the arrival of the new vehicle. Ford produced approximately 5 million Model A cars between 1927 and 1931. Today, only a small fraction of those original vehicles remain on the road.
The cars are simple machines by modern standards. Stone said most models did not have radios, air conditioning, or power brakes. He described the driving experience as bare bones, noting that they were the cheapest cars on the market when first sold. However, the Model A included several features that were new for the time.
Nelson pointed out that the vehicles came with an electric start rather than a hand crank. They also featured brakes on all four wheels and shock absorbers. The cars included a dipstick to check oil levels without getting under the vehicle. Gauges inside the car allowed drivers to see their speed. These innovations made the Model A a step forward from its predecessor.
Stew Wolfe, the club vice president, said the cars still attract attention from the public. He noted that people get excited when they see the vehicles driving. Children react especially strongly when the drivers sound the air horn. The club aims to keep these classic cars on the road for as long as possible.
Stone observed the positive reactions from people passing by during recent events. He recalled seeing a woman hanging out of a car window waving at the group. The smiles on people's faces remind the club members why they keep the cars in working order. The group continues to meet and drive their vehicles to preserve the history of early automobiles.
Source: WALA-TV
