Parked in front of Sid’s museum in Beaver Creek, Yukon sits a 1928 Ford Model A. “I bought it at a swap meet in Lethbridge about three or four years ago,” he says. “I put a new roof on it with new wood, canvas, and chicken wire.”
I ask Sid what he meant by chicken wire being included in the construction of a car. “That’s what they used to put everything together — chicken wire. They didn’t have the technology to make solid roofs on cars until around 1937, just wood inserts. They would make all the sides and piece it together, but not a solid roof. The roof is all fixed now.”
When was Ford founded? “Oh, 1903. Ford started out building bicycles and then cars. Ford created the Model T from 1908 to 1927 and then the Model A from 1928 to 1931. They called the Model T the Tin Lizzy and called the Model A Henry Ford’s Lady.”
When asked what the biggest difference between the Model T and the Model A is, he replies, “The transmission. The Model A was an improvement over the Model T in every way.” “My Model A was built in 1928, it is the original.”
Looking at this unique vehicle, I notice a small cap above the grill. “That’s the radiator cap.”
Crouching down, Sid points at the grill. “There’s a hole at the bottom of the grill to put a crank in there.”
Sid uses his hands to demonstrate turning a crank. “I don’t have one but it would’ve come with a crank in 1928. I do have some of the original tools that came with the vehicle in 1928. Just tools to change the spark plugs and what not. “I kept it under a shelter in the front yard over the winter. But this week I took it out for a drive. The Model A is running great! I drove it around town and parked it in front of the museum. So it’s out on display for visitors to see.”
How many vehicles has Sid owned? “Oh, that’s a really good question, probably several hundred.”
Grandpa and I laugh and I ask him about the awards he used to win when he lived in Alberta. “I won first place in the World of Wheels in Lethbridge with my 1950 customed Merc(ury) in the Radical Custom Class.”
Currently Sid owns six vehicles that he drives daily and seven additional vehicles parked throughout his property.
Come by Sid’s Bordertown Garage & Museum and meet Sid’s “lady” and take a cruise with him around the community of Beaver Creek.
