Taking Ford overnight from country cousin to country club, the Model A had a cachet lacking in the workhorse Model T and suddenly film stars and presidents were happy to pose next to one.

Longer, lower and better suspended than its predecessor, it was powered by a Howard Hicks-designed, 3,285cc, L-head four-cylinder engine developing 40bhp (twice the Model T's output) and boasted coil ignition and an integral water pump.

Mated to a three-speed manual gearbox, 30mpg was achievable and with a top speed of 65mph, four-wheel drum brakes became a necessity.

The vehicle was the first Ford to use the standard set of driver controls, with conventional brake and clutch pedals, throttle and gearchange.

Produced from December 1927, it was available in four standard colours, but not black, and a range of body styles was offered, including saloons, tourers, coupes and light trucks.

When production finally ceased in 1931, over 4.3 million had been sold in no fewer than 22 different styles.

Thi...