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Is The A The Answer?
Lacking a formal invitation to widow of a family friend and devout
assume the role of U.S. Car Czar, Hemmings reader whodiedunexpectedly
I’ve decided to assume it in my a couple of years back. For more than 50
own mind, much in the same way I’ve years the little truck has lived within a
assumed the role of “Sexiest Man Alive,” five-mile radius of the repair shop where
and “Gifted Mechanic, Welder and All- it once saw duty as a hard-working ser-
Around Fix-It Master,” but hopefully vice vehicle—though it’s safe to say that
with less snickering and guff from all of the last two owners wouldn’t recognize it
you people. now, given the depth of my father’s work
My first move as Commander-in-Chief on it.
of all U.S. Automotive Operations will Today, the Model A is still one of the
be to mandate the construction of a low- staples of the American old-car collect-
cost, low-maintenance, four-cylinder car ing, restoring hobby and a milestone in
that shares its parts among a wide vari- American history. Amazing—it’s still
ety of platforms. In one form, it’s a road- playing a role in the lives of motorists
ster, another a sedan, another a pickup some 82 years after the first ones rolled
truck, another a delivery van or people off the assembly line!
hauler. Is there a vehicle even remotely like it
Now, I know what you’re thinking: being manufactured today? You bet there
You’re thinking, How can this sexiest is; unfortunately, it isn’t being built by
man alive, MacGyver-type be so bril- either Chrysleror General Motors.
liant? Oh sorry, that’s what I was think- It’s damage control time for GM and
ing. What you were thinking was: No Chrysler, and they sorely need to get
kidding, moron, that’s what almost every back to basics. Build an affordable, dura-
successful automaker in history has ble, high-quality automobile and then
done. Chrysler did it with its K-car, Volks- base a line of vehicles off of it using one
wagen with the Beetle, and of course, or two engines and transmissions. Offer
there’s the one American automaker two brands at the most, one brand for
that hasn’t yet asked you and me to fund people looking for basic transportation
its bailout, Ford—who first multitasked and work vehicles and another brand
with the Model T and then did so in for those craving luxury. But even those
grander fashion with the car that appears vehicles should share drivetrain compo-
on this month’s cover, the Model A. nents among them. Pare down the truck
Elsewhere in this issue you’ll read a offerings to a couple of types of work
Model A buyer’s guide by our own Mark trucks and base all smallish trucks and
McCourt, and as a companion piece, SUVsoncarplatforms.
Mark’s story about the car that helped With any luck, the next Model A, an
fan the flames of his own enthusiasm American car that can generate feverish
for old cars—his Dad’s 1929 Model A. demand from consumers, is just around
Though the car is in cold storage now, the bend. Of course, as soon as that hap-Mark and his Dad look forward to the pens, I’ll step down from my imaginary
day when they have the time and space to “Car Czar” responsibilities so that I can
begin a proper overhaul of Dad’s A. concentrate on writing my imaginary
My father too is a Model A owner; he memoirs. Hey, quit your snickering….
purchased his closed-cab truck from the E-mail me: mmcnessor@hemmings.com
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HEMMINGS MOTOR NEWS • JUNE 2009
