“A” is for Auto, Autumn, and Ahooga! Mary Lynne Spazok
Question: What is an Ahooga? Answer: The car horn sound of a Model A Ford! It was a joyful Sunday where glistening golden leaves fluttered lazily in the warm October breeze. Near the Gilfillan Trail, the sun kissed hefty herd of heifers blissfully grazed, innocent of the excitement soon to come. But out of the blue, traffic on Route 19 at Orr Road slowed, allowing 12 pristine Model A Fords to enter USC’s Gilfillan Homestead. With grateful “ahoogas!” the 3 River Region Ford Model A Restorers Club of Western Pennsylvania had arrived to explore the Gilfillan house and farm. Trailblazers stopped in awe, while eager onlookers quickly made phone calls proclaiming “Get over here. You’ve got to see this!” After all, if you can’t travel to Henry Ford’s historic Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan, then why not experience living history in Upper St. Clair? Although the transportation garage at Gilfillan boasts fine sleds, sleighs, and carriages, American pioneers craved a more sophisticated means of dependable transportation. The horse and buggy was fast becoming a rural notion. Shrewd industrialist Henry Ford realized that as cities grew, a moderately priced motorized vehicle afforded even country farmers the best of both worlds. Eager to please, Henry’s first assembly line car, the 1908 Model T, generated sales of 15,000,000. Unpainted or colored black, the “T” endured for almost 20 years with few major changes. But, by 1926, the “Tin Lizzie” had aged and diversity, individuality, and sophistication were demanded by savvy consumers. So, the last of the Model Ts rolled off the assembly line on May 26, 1927. Edsel Ford spent a mere $100,000,000 (yes, 100 million dollars!) to design, build, and market a contemporary automobile with enviable state-of-the-art mechanics. At the Rouge River Plant on July 20, 1926, the Model A came to fruition. Set in motion was America’s on-going love affair with the automobile. Not so fast! A clever capitalist, Henry Ford postponed its unveiling and fashioned a frenzy of pre-sale excitement with skillful advertising and electrifying publicity. Energized consumers clamored for the luxurious Model A, but were forced to wait. Boasting a top speed of 65 mph, the first one rolled off the production line on October 27, 1927. Two months later and with great fanfare, Ford dealerships unveiled a diverse body style with eye-catching colors on December 2. The four-cylinder engine boasted typical gas mileage between 20 and 30 miles per gallon using a Zenith one barrel carburetor. The transmission was a sliding two forward gear unit with one speed reverse. Four wheel mechanical brakes were a monumental advance in safety. Double action hydraulic shock absorbers assured passenger comfort, since driving on pot hole ridden unpaved roads was the norm. Other standard equipment included a starter, five steel spoke wheels, dash light, mirror, windshield wiper, oil gauge, gasoline gauge, rear and stop lights, and speedometer. The trendy “snap pouch” tool kit included assorted wrenches, tire irons, tire jack, pliers, screwdriver, tire pump, grease gun, and a deluxe instruction book. Let’s make a 1927 deal! For $385 you could purchase a Roadster, while Tudor Sedan “Fordor” cost $570 F.O.B. (free on board: without charge to the buyer for goods placed on board
Ed Weinheimer, 1931 Roadster a carrier at the point of shipment) Detroit. At $495 the new Ford Coupe was nice, but for $550 the Sport Coupe, complete with a rumble seat, was the hot seller. Each style included windshield safety glass, state-of-the-art driver controls, clutch brake pedal(s), throttle, and gearshift. The new fangled optic fuel indicator assured consumers that they would no longer run out of gas. In cooler climates, owners could purchase an aftermarket cast iron unit to place over the engine’s exhaust manifold to bring heated air into the cab through an adjustable door. Now that’s luxury! From 1932 to May 23, 1934, real life gangsters Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow showcased their flashy, high speed “getaway,” the Ford Model 730 Deluxe Sedan. A fearless driver, Clyde favored Ford V8s because of their handling. Speeding in excess of 70 miles an hour down dirt roads and out of sight of sheriff deputies wasn’t unusual for Clyde. Alleged, Clyde wrote a letter of admiration to the Ford Motor Company. Over the years, many have questioned its authenticity though, based on a discrepancy of the handwriting. The note (shown here) is displayed at Greenfield Village.
Bonnie and Clyde 10
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Fall 2010