News
SHORT HISTORY OF OUR CLUB
28 November 2007
The Model 'A' Ford was first released in Australia on 17 May 1928, and thence sold to an estimated 31,000 Australians.
The first Model 'A' Club was started in South Australia in 1967. On 2 May 1969, Mr Ian Irwin of Canberra founded the Model 'A' Restorers Club of Australia, of which many Queenslanders were members. On 9 May, 1976, 18 enthusiasts met at the instigation of Mr. Les Cooling of Strathpine, to gauge interest in forming a Queensland Branch. The first meeting of this Club was held on 4 July.
Meetings have been held on a regular monthly basis since then. We have a Rally Organiser, who selects runs of interest on the Sunday following our monthly meetings some months in advance. The Big Event on our calendar is the Bi Annual National Meet, which is held and organised by each of the Australian States. The last was at Launceston, Tas in 2010. Approx 20 Model 'A' Fords travelled from Queensland on the Spirit of Tasmania II to attend the Launceston Rally, hosted by the MAFC of Vic where 181 Model 'A' Fords were registered. Queensland hosted the 2002 National Meet in Toowoomba. The next National Meet is scheduled for Ipswich, Qld in 2012 and the Club is excitedly making preparations for the big event.
Often individual members will take part in invitation tours organised by other Clubs or States. A bimonthly magazine is produced and is sent out to all financial members.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MODEL 'A' FORD
29 November 2007
The year was 1926. Henry Ford's "Tin Lizzie" was getting old. It had been produced since 1 October 1908. There had been very few major changes to the car even though it did look quite different. With his son Edsel pushing to move past the Model T and design and build a "new Ford" the order was finally given on 20 July 1926 to start work on a new Ford, the "Model A", although that name had not been picked yet!. Henry Ford made the last of the Model T's on 26 May 1927. It was car No. 15,000,000. It is said Henry Ford spent US$100,000,000 (Yes, 100 Million US Dollars!) on the new car design and for retooling of the Rouge plant to build the new Model A. Quite a sum in the 1920's! The car contained over 6800 parts whereas the Model T only contained about 5000. The Engine was an L-head 4-cylinder, 'cast en bloc' type. It had a 3-7/8" X 4-1/4" bore and stroke with a displacement of 200.5 cubic inches. SAE horsepower of 24.03 with brake horsepower rated at 40 at 2200 rpm. Typical gas mileage was between 20 and 30 mpg using a Zenith carburettor. It's 103.5" wheelbase rode on 4.50 x 21" tyres with a gear ratio of 3.77:1. The transmission was a 3 speed sliding gear unit with 1 speed reverse. The Model A had 4 wheel mechanical brakes and Houdaille, double action hydraulic shock absorbers with semi-elliptic front and rear transverse springs. Top Speed was around 65 mph. Model A Production started on 20 October 1927. By 4 February 1929, Model A No. 1,000,000 rolled off the production line. Final production ended on 31 August 1931 with 4,320,446 Model A's built. Hundreds of thousands of Model 'A' Fords are still on the roads throughout the world and it has been described as "The worlds most popular collector car"
22nd NATIONAL MODEL A FORD MEET
25 March 2012
22nd NATIONAL MODEL A FORD MEET
IPSWICH QUEENSLAND - Monday 26th to Friday 30th MARCH 2012
Hi Folks, I'd like to invite you to join us at Ipswich in Queensland, to again show the Australian public that the Model 'A' Ford is the great survivor of the vintage car era, and well deserves its title as the World's most popular collector car.
As Queensland's oldest provincial city, Ipswich has a rich history. It is renowned for its architectural, natural and cultural heritage. Ipswich proudly preserves and still operates from many of its fine historical buildings and homes, with more than 6000 heritage-listed sites. Ipswich also has a range of charming townships within the western rural areas of the city, each with its own legitimate claims of historical significance.
Ipswich offers all the modern facilities and attractions of a progressive city. Attractions include the Railway Workshops Museum, steam trains, more than 500 parks, wineries, cafes, restaurants, cinemas and shopping centres. Ipswich hosts regular national and local festivals and events such as the Queensland Open Golf Championships, Ipswich Cup - the city's annual major horse race, drag racing's finest at the Winternationals held at Willowbank Raceway, Queensland 400 V8 Supercars at Queensland Raceway.
Don't forget Ipswich is central to all the wonderful experiences of South East Queensland including; the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Dreamworld, Sea World, Movie World, Australia Zoo, The Darling Downs and Lamington National Park, just to mention a few.
The Ipswich City Mayor and Council are very excited to have the Model A Ford Meet held in their city and we are well on the way to planning an event to remember.
