Richmond club keeps 1927 cars rolling

Drivers in Glen Allen, Va., gather to keep nearly century old engines running. The Old Dominion Model A Ford Club of Greater Richmond meets to maintain vehicles that were first sold in 1927. Members preserve cars that lacked many features modern drivers expect.

Henry Ford introduced the Model A as an upgrade to the Model T. Henry Nelson, secretary of the club, pointed to a newspaper advertisement from December 1927. The ad promoted the arrival of the new Model A Ford. Ford Motor Company produced roughly 5 million of these vehicles between 1927 and 1931. Only a small fraction of those cars remain on the road today.

Dennis Stone, club president, noted that most Model A cars had no radios, air conditioning, or power brakes. He described the experience as bare bones driving. These cars were the cheapest on the market when they were new. Stew Wolfe, club vice president, said the cars generate excitement for people of all ages. He noted that people get excited when the drivers blow the ahooga horn. Kids are often ecstatic.

Despite their age, the vehicles included several innovations for the time. Nelson said the cars came standard with an electric start. This feature replaced the manual crank used to start the engine. The cars also had brakes on all four wheels and shock absorbers. Drivers could check the oil level using a dipstick without getting under the car. Gauges inside the vehicle showed speed and other data.

Stone said he enjoys seeing the reactions from people who see the cars out on the road. He recalled a woman hanging out the window waving at the club members. The group continues to meet in the Richmond area. Their goal is to keep the classic cars running for future generations.