Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 56 ¤
1931 Ford Model A A400 Convertible Sedan Coachwork by Murray Engine no. A4664052
Sold for US$24,640 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 56¤
1931 Ford Model A A400 Convertible Sedan
1931 Ford Model A A400 Convertible Sedan
Coachwork by Murray
Engine no. A4664052
Coachwork by Murray
Engine no. A4664052
200.5ci L-Head Inline Four-Cylinder Engine
Single Updraft Carburetor
40bhp at 2,200rpm
Three-Speed Manual Transmission
Live Axles with Transverse Leaf Springs
Four-Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes
* Two year only Ford body style by Murray
* One of only about 5,700 built by Ford
* Rollup side windows in fixed frames, folding fabric roof
* Restored some fifty years ago, sound touring cosmetics
* A rewarding freshening and recommissioning project
THE CAR OFFERED
Model changes sneaked up on Henry Ford even after he'd milked the Model T through two decades. It's true that the T was far from static, at least in its appearance, but its basic function remained largely constant. The Model A was forced upon Henry in 1928 by the increasing style, performance, comfort and reliability of marques like Dodge, Maxwell and Chevrolet. He probably intended it to last decades, just like the T, but that proved to be impossible and just four years after it appeared a crash, secret project advanced the next generation of Fords in 1932.
The Model A didn't go out without a fanfare, though, and 1931 saw 21 different body styles being offered including one new style built by the Murray Corporation, the two-door Convertible Sedan known as the A400.
The A400 was a dramatically different concept, a two-door with rear seats along the lines of the Victoria Coupe but with fixed rollup side windows and frames. The soft top folded neatly up and down along tracks in the top of the side window frames. Only 4,864 were built by Murray for Ford. It continued in 1932 but with only 882 built on the V-8 and 4-cylinder chassis. It then disappeared in 1933, making the A400 two-door convertible sedans one of the rarest of all Ford catalog bodies.
This 1931 Ford Model A A400 Convertible Sedan was acquired by the Harrah Automobile Foundation from Loy and Marie Clark of Portland, Oregon in the 1980s. It was fully restored at the time and had won first place awards including at Harrah's 9th Annual Car Show in 1973. It has been displayed at Harrah's and the National Automobile Museum since then, supposedly drained of coolant and fuel.
It is finished in beautiful Ford Maroon with black fenders and window surrounds accented by red beltline striping. The interior is upholstered in brown leather with matching color interior trim. Its top is beige cloth. Equipment includes a luggage rack, dual grey cloth covered sidemount spares, red wire wheels, double sided whitewall tires, a Sparton horn, Ford script headlights, radiator stoneguard, quail radiator cap, single vacuum wiper on the top-hinged windshield and an Auto-Lite exhaust manifold and passenger compartment heater ducting.
It has been displayed for decades with the engine, purportedly, drained and will require recommissioning. The generator also is disassembled. The paint, upholstery and top, however, are good and the woodgraining on interior panels is particularly attractive. There are the usual hood edge chips but acceptable chrome and dashboard finishing. The engine compartment is aged and not abused or laden with road grime.
This is a promising example of a rare and sought after Ford body style. Offered for only two years, 1931 and 1932, its rarity is complemented by its practicality and enjoyment of the folding roof in fine weather while being dry and warm when the weather is nasty.
Footnotes
Titled under its engine number.
Additional information
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