The Model A Ford is still alive, and is eager to move into a new museum home. At present there is no museum wholly dedicated to this storied car, even though over 4 million A’s were produced from 1927 through 1931. Now, more than 80 years later, the establishment of a permanent Model A Ford Museum at the Gilmore Car Museum west of Dearborn in Hickory Corners, MI is in the works—but your help is needed.
The Model A Ford Foundation was established to preserve the Model A era (cars, fashions, historic events) and 100,000 Model As are said to be in garages and still ready to roll today. The Foundation finds itself short of the amount needed to break ground on a Model A museum. Over the years the Foundation has raised $700,000 of the $900,000 needed to build a museum on the campus of the multi-brand Gilmore Car Museum.
But the fund raising effort has slowed and time is short. Like WWII servicemen, the original Model A owners and early collectors are thinning out and this is the critical time to build the museum. The Foundation realizes that current owners, and former owners and admirers, may want to support the Model A Museum. The Foundation decided to turn to the public and perhaps reach people who want to help commemorate the car and their own memories.
In addition to making a cash donation, engraved bricks for the museum walkway are available for donors to record the love and enjoyment they had in the Model A. There is space on each brick for a 60 character message to demonstrate that love forever.
The Model A Ford Foundation encourages admirers of the Model A to visit its website at MAFFI.ORG to learn more, get an order form, or simply send a tax deductible, receipt-acknowledged cash donation to the Foundation at PO Box 95151, Nonantum, MA 02495.
The Model A Ford Foundation is a public, 501(c)3 non-profit educational institution, dedicated to preserving the history and heritage Model A Ford automobile.
The Gilmore Car Museum is truly without equal. Besides its own collection, the ever-expanding campus also serves as the home of the: Classic Car Club of America Museum; Pierce-Arrow Museum; Franklin Collection at Hickory Corners; as well as the Midwest Miniatures Museum and the Tucker Historical Collection and Library. The Cadillac – LaSalle Foundation and the Lincoln Motor Car Foundation also all have museum structures planned for the site.
George Merry, former President of the Model A Restorers Club, drives his 1931 Ford Model A Roadster during the announcement of the all-new Model A Ford Museum being established at the Gilmore Car Museum
The Foundation is confident that with the help of enthusiasts, a ground breaking on the Gilmore campus for the all-new Model A Ford Museum will take place in the spring of 2012.
Photo Credit: GilmoreCarMuseum.org