In 1926 the Ford Motor company's market share had fallen to 34%, the lowest since 1918. The announcement of the death of the Model T came on May 25, 1926.

The fifteen millionth Model T rolled off the line, and an era had ended.

Henry decided to build a new automobile, and decided to start production of the second Model A in the company's history.

Although Ford had no research and development team, he was experimenting with different designs for the Model T. Several Model A style drawings are now in the archives which pre-date the end of Model T production.

This dash panel drawing is dated February 10^th 1927, three months prior to the end of Model T production.

Henry set down the basics in short order. He wanted a car of comfort, with a speed of 50-60 miles per hour, and high fuel economy to better meet the rapid pace of the late 1920's life style. The basic size was determined and the engineers (Eugene Farkas, Laurence Sheldrick, Frank Johnson, Charles Sorenson, Joe Galamb, Emil Zoerlin and many others) went to work on the mechanics of the car, while Edsel Ford was given the job of styling the body.

To obtain the 40 horse power, low RPM, high fuel economy engine Henry Ford wanted, Harold Hicks and others were called upon. Hicks had worked on the Ford trimotor airplanes, and resolved some of the breathing problems of the 4 cylinder, L head engine. He brought in the Zenith carburetor we now love...or hate.

When Harold Hicks was thrown through the windshield and injured, Henry replaced the front windshield with safety glass, a first for standard production cars. Another first was four wheel hydraulic shocks on all four wheels. Apparently the ride over the corn fields was too harsh for Henry.

One of the first prototype Model A's was a Tudor sedan and it was spotted racing anything on wheels around Detroit. Henry, in his usual style, stirred the media in expectation of the new Ford. The introduction of the New Model A Ford was a media event rivaling the Hollywood movie openings of the time.

In October 1927, the production line retooling was completed, and the Model A began prototype production, with the final line changes coming in November 1927. By September 1927, 971 engines had been produced and final production began in earnest. The one millionth engine was produced in February 1929.