December 2, 1927: Ford Introduces the Model A

December 2, 1927: The Ford Motor Company introduces the Model A, the successor to its legendary Model T.

Ford had previously sold a car named the Model A in 1903 and 1904, but this was before the assembly line, so it couldn't be mass-produced, and it never caught on with the public.

Henry Ford had introduced the Model T in 1908, and it became the best-selling car of all time. But Henry was set in his ways. He said, "You can have any color car you want, as long as it's black." He saw no reason to mess with success.

Except the Model T wasn't as successful as it had been. It was basic, with few amenities. It was mocked as "The Tin Lizzie." It had been surpassed in popularity by several cars.

In contrast, his son, Edsel Ford, was very much into style: In 1927, practically behind his father's back, he led the design of the replacement for the Model T: The Model A. Henry approved it, and also approved a major advertising campaign for it, taking advance of the dawn of "talking pictures," complete with what later be called a commercial jingle: "Henry's made a lady out of Lizzie!"

The Model A was the first Ford to use the standard set of driver controls with conventional clutch and brake pedals, throttle, and gearshift. Previous Fords used controls that had become uncommon to drivers of other makes. It was the 1st car to have safety glass in the windshield. And, of course, it was available in multiple colors.

Price: $385. (About $6,475 in 2022 money.) It sold pretty well, but Ford replaced it with the Model B in 1932.

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December 2, 1927 was a Friday. Ralph Beard, a basketball star who won National Championships at the University of Kentucky and an Olympic Gold Medal, but was banned from pro ball in a point-shaving scandal, was born on this day.

Baseball was out of season. Football was in midweek. The NBA hadn't yet been founded. And while the NHL season was underway, no games were scheduled. So there were no scores on this historic day.