We collected ten Ford features from 1930 that Ford bragged about then, but we would laugh at today.
Intro
Raise your hand if you were shopping for a new Ford in 1930. I am guessing there are not many hands in the air. But there may be some of you out there that own a Ford truck from the 1930s. To say things have changed since then would be an understatement. Especially when it comes to the features that you find in Ford vehicles today compared to 1930. We found in the Ford Heritage Vault a Ford sales brochure from 1930. It was for the Canadian market and the list of options and standard features that Ford was bragging about in 1930 is downright comical today. We used this sales brochure to compile a list of ten Ford features that were brag worthy in 1930 but hilarious to us today.
10. Adjustable Driver’s Seat
Today you can buy a Ford truck that will massage your back as you drive down the road. In 1930 it was a big deal to be able to simply adjust the driver’s seat. It was such a big deal that Ford made sure to call it out as a standard feature in the New Town Sedan for 1930.
9. Stainless Steel Trim
Another thing that we take for granted today is stainless steel. In 2023 we don’t expect any part of a Ford truck to suffer from rust. But in 1930 things were different. For the New Sport Coupe in 1930 Ford was proud to say: “Ford bodies bring you another outstanding feature – non-tarnishing rustless steel for the radiator shell, headlamps, hub caps, tail lamp, cowl finish strip, radiator and gasoline tank caps.” Pretty exciting stuff.
8. Shatterproof Windshield
In 1930 Ford was excited to announce that windshield and windshield wings were made of Triplex shatter-proof glass. Obviously, this is a key safety feature as you don’t want shards of sharp glass flying through the air after a collision. We understand why Ford wanted to make a big deal of this, but in 2023 it seems amazing that shatterproof glass was not always a thing.
7. 65 MPH Top Speed
“The Model A Ford has unusual speed. It will do 55 to 65 miles an hour.” This is according to the “Features” page in the brochure from 1930. Today we are obsessed with 0 to 60 mph times. In 1930 things were simpler. 0 to 60 mph? Yes!
6. Smaller Wheels and Larger Balloon Tires
Today auto manufacturers like to brag about how big the wheels are. 20-inch rims are nothing. 21-inch rims are OK. But if you really want to impress you need 22-inch rims or larger. In 1930 Ford was happy to announce new smaller wheels with larger balloon tires that would help lower the center of gravity of the car. Can you imagine Ford bragging today about balloon tires?
5. Standard Speedometer
That’s right, in 1930 Ford actually let you know how fast you were travelling. Today it is all about a head up display but in 1930 it was worth calling out that you got a speedometer in your new Ford. That way you can verify that 65 mph top speed.
4. 40 Horsepower
The 4-cylinder “L” head engine was rated at 40 horsepower at 2,200 rpm. That would not be enough power to even spin the supercharger in Predator V-8 found in the Raptor R or GT500. Nearly 100 years ago 40 horsepower was a lot. Wonder what will be considered a lot of horsepower in the year 2123?
3. Silk Curtains
The New Town Sedan of 1930 had many standard features, but perhaps the most intriguing is the standard silk curtains in the rear compartment. A lot of the features in this list we laugh at because they are so behind the times and outdated. But let’s be honest, silk curtains are kind of cool. We would not be mad if we could buy a large Ford sedan or SUV today that came with a set of silk curtains for the rear passengers.
2. Arm Rests
Another comfort feature worth bragging about in 1930 was the arm rest. The New Town Sedan had a disappearing center arm rest as well as stationary arm rests on each side of the car. Pull the silk curtains shut and plop your arms on the arm rests and you were living large in 1930.
1. Folding Front Seat
In 2020 Ford announced the Max Recline seats for the all-new F-150. Ninety years earlier Ford was touting the fact that the New Tudor Sedan had folding front seat to make it easier for passengers to get into the back. Imagine buying a new car or truck today with a seat that didn’t fold forward. We have truly come a long way.
Images: Ford
