1931 Ford Model A Cabriolet A400

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

As the Great Depression raged, the Ford Motor Company found itself facing a previously unknown market – what would later be known as the mid-priced field, occupied by those who could no longer afford a Lincoln but wanted something a bit more than the typical Model A. Accordingly, in the spring of 1931, Ford introduced the most expensive model yet to bear the Blue Oval. Dubbed the Model A400, its name was a reference to the Four Hundred, a social register that listed the 400 most prominent members of New York high society. Only one style was available, a two-door, five-passenger sedan with a fabric roof that folded to the back of the body, using chromed irons, and an opening windshield. The interior boasted very comfortable seats with genuine leather upholstery, full carpeting, and rich wood grained trim, and indeed had a very Lincoln-like appearance. The Model A400 was built only from 22 May 1931, until the end of the 1931 model year, and just 5,085 were made. One of the rarest and most impressive products ever created from the Henry Ford era, many experts believe no Ford collection to be complete without an A400.

This car is part of the George Foreman Collection, which comprises over 50 cars from the 1930s through today, with a focus on American classics and late-model sports cars.

Highlights

• Offered from the George Foreman Collection 

• One of the most rare and desirable Ford Model A styles

• Restored under previous ownership 

• Murray body complete with convertible top and venting windscreen

• Powered by a four-cylinder engine which was upgraded under previous ownership with insert-type bearings, new intake and exhaust valves, adding a valve rotator, balancing all rotating engine parts, and regrounding the camshaft to produce more flow without disturbing the stock idle and appearance of the engine 

• Finished in an attractive period-correct specification with exterior pinstriping and canvas convertible top

• The carburetor was disassembled and cleaned, and a new 6-volt Duralast battery was installed in November 2023

• Please note that while this vehicle currently shows 18 miles at the time of cataloging, the true mileage is unknown

Features

• Three-speed manual transmission

• Four-wheel mechanical drum brakes

• 6-Volt battery  

• Leather upholstery with adjustable driver’s seat

• Painted walnut woodgrain dashboard finish 

• Dual side-mount spare tires

• Radiator stone guard

• Quail mascot 

• Rear luggage rack with canvas-covered trunk

• Painted wire wheels 

• Whitewall tires

Known Imperfections

• Please note that the vehicles in The George Foreman Collection have been in long-term static storage and will benefit from additional mechanical attention prior to being driven. Bidders are encouraged to review the Additional Documents section of each lot for any recent mechanical service rendered to help return certain vehicles to running condition. Additionally, bidders should carefully review the photos of each lot in the collection, which may highlight the oxidation of metal components certain vehicles sustained as the result of a garage fire caused by a golf cart battery in March 2019. Although none of the vehicles sustained fire damage from the fire itself, the negative cosmetic effects of the corrosive soot vary greatly from vehicle to vehicle and can be observed in the photo

• Two small tears are noted in the convertible top as shown in vehicle photos

• Staining is present on rear trunk vinyl, hardware is oxidized, and leather straps are dry

• The driver’s side mirror needs to be reinstalled (included), piece of hardware is missing 

• The windshield wiper needs to be reinstalled (included)

• Lights are inoperative (headlamps, tail lamp, brake signal)

• Spare tire covers are imprinted with tire tread marks

• Scratch on the driver’s front fender

Included

• Convertible top tonneau cover

• Driver’s side exterior rearview mirror (removed)

• Windshield wiper (removed)

Ownership History

This vehicle entered The George Foreman Collection in October of 2008 from “The Hershey Auction” when it was being offered as a completely restored example of one of the rarest and most expensive Mode A variants. Showing just 18 miles at the time of cataloging, this example has been used sparingly while under the care of George Foreman where it has stood as a proud example of most many consider to be the finest Model A variant ever created. 

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Group Car Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner for this vehicle.

Contact: Ramsey Potts Phone: 912.508.4096 email: rpotts@hagerty.com