The Shade Tree A's
The Shade Tree A’s Model A Ford Club was formed by a group of Model A Ford owners in North Augusta. Soon after, the club was established as a Chapter of the Model A Ford Club of America (MAFCA) on June 17, 1973. They celebrated their 50th anniversary this past June with a car show where forty-eight Model A Fords were displayed with some even traveling all the way from Charleston, Jacksonville, and Tennessee.
The club members have rebuilt their cars to keep them in working shape and look as if they just drove off of the car lot. “There are fewer and fewer people that know how to do that. It’s becoming a lost art,” says Matt Barrett, a member of The Shade Tree A’s and owner of a 1931 Model A Victoria Leatherback. “One of our members, Gerald Melchiors, took a hardtop Buick from the 60s and cut the top off of it and turned it into a convertible car. Some of these people are so talented, they can do almost anything when it comes to cars,” says Matt. The group is full of new and long-time members, including one who has been in the club for 50 years, and they are all dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Model A Ford.
Model A Ford
Henry Ford released the Model A after discontinuing the Model T, which looked similar but is built completely differently. The Model T was only available in black and Henry’s son, Edsel Ford, told his father that they should expand their color options after noticing how quickly other brands' vehicles were selling.
Nearly five million Model A Fords in a variety of body styles were produced between 1928 and 1931 and the first Model A was sold on December 2, 1927. It was available in four standard colors: Niagara Blue, Arabian Sand, Dawn Grey, and Gun Metal Blue. Only a few of these cars exist in working order today and Matt tells us that when he takes his for a drive, people all around are smiling, waving, and taking pictures.
More Information
The Shade Tree A’s Model A Ford Club meets on the second Monday of every month at 7pm, except August and December, to discuss club functions, Model A technical issues, upcoming events, and to socialize. The club is open to everybody who loves Model A Fords and wants to learn more about them. They meet at 4339 Owens Road in Evans. To learn more information about the club, please visit shadetreeas.org.