Henry Ford actually did not want to stop producing the Model T; rather, he was forced to do so by rival Chevrolet, who was building far sprightlier cars. Thus, the new Model A became available for the 1928 model year. After it was first introduced to the public on 2 December 1927, newspaper accounts told of nearly ten million Americans having gone to view the new car within the first 36 hours of its introduction. Fast forward to 1931, when nearly four million Model As had already been produced. In typical Ford fashion, the company resisted making dramatic model changes from year to year, instead preferring to make most of its changes on a running basis; as a result, the 1931 was little changed from the 1930 model.

The DeLuxe Roadster offered here was a Christmas present to Clive Cussler in 2011 from his wife Janet, who acquired it from a seller here in Arizona. Immediately after taking the Model A out on its initial spin, Mr. Cussler had it fitted with dual Winfield downdraft carburetors, a Lion’s high-compression head and complementing finned aluminum dress-up equipment. Harkening back to the hot rod days of his youth, Mr. Cussler was pleased with the new cruising speed of 65 mph. Restored some years ago in its Washington Blue and black livery, it is equipped with an original Ford four-cylinder engine, of either Model A or B configuration, as well as a modern-style ignition system and alternator, fed by a 12-volt electrical system.

During its time in the collection, the roadster has been a great favorite of the Cusslers. Mr. Cussler would often drive it to lunch, on date nights with Janet, and to attend his regular book signings at the Poisoned Pen. Thus, this happy little Ford is offered in the spirit of a great, adventurous man, who loved his automobiles and likely recreated some fond memories of his youth with this one—just as its next owner will.