A Ride in History

At $1.00 per hour to walk soybeans, my dad saved his hard earned dollars for three years to buy a 1930 Ford Model A. In 1967, at the ripe old age of 13, my dad made his first adult purchase.

My grandmother had always dreamed of owning a Model A. And one day my dad heard on the radio of an antique car auction being held in a nearby town. Together my dad and Grandma went to the auction and purchased the third Model A for sale. Grandma paid $400 and my dad, with his bean walking money, paid $400.

After the purchase had been made, a man late coming to the auction rushed up to my dad and wanted to purchase the car... For $5,000. 

It wasn't enough to sway my dad, or my grandma. The car was theirs. 

For three years after the purchase, the Model A was the vehicle my dad used to get himself to and from school. Even in the bitter Northern Iowa winters it was the only car that would start. 

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Time, as is it does with all things, was not necessarily kind to the car. However, after three years of transformation, the car was restored to its original parts and condition. 

Along with being a priceless possession, it has also proven to be a highlight for a certain little boy.

See how the windshield is propped open? That is the air-conditioning system!

There are no seat belts, so installation of a car seat is impossible. Short, slow car rides down the hill and around our country block are pretty monumental for Marcus. 

The details are so amazing: camel hair seats, window shades with tassels, metal door handles. It's all so intricate and almost art-like. 

Topping out at 45 miles per hour (though Marcus and Grandpa *might* have hit 20 mph), it won't knock your socks off, but to ride in such a piece of history is quite a thrill.

While I'm not sure of the monetary value of the Model A, I am positive the memories made riding around with Grandpa are beyond priceless.