Hello Tar Wheel A’s. In this issue we take a look at some new or notable accessories, including speed parts. Remember to send George Goodridge your annual dues if you’re still procrastinating on that. And there’s still just barely time to get in on the big multi-club Lighthouse Tour that Brantley Blanchard Jr is organizing. Check your email for an update from Brantley on the final itinerary.
You Just Missed It: Johnson Burgers Ride
by Bill DeVore
On Saturday March 23rd at 9:00 am a group of six cars met at the Refuel Gas Station on highway 64 in Wilsonville. Our destination was Johnson's Burgers in Siler City. We proceeded to travel through the backroads of Chatham County. We arrived at Johnson's at 11:00 am, everyone ordered their food, and we ate in the parking lot. As usual we had people asking about our cars and "where was the car show."
We finished our lunch and continued back to Cary/Raleigh. We arrived home at about 1:00 pm. We traveled 111 miles and everyone enjoyed the ride, no breakdowns, the sun was shining all day and we exceeded all expectations for all who participated. It was a great day to drive a Model A.
The Zip-a-Rak: A Clever Luggage Rack, Back in Production
If you've ever wrestled a folding luggage rack on and off the back of your Model A, you know the drill: it's heavy, it's awkward, and by the third time you've skinned a knuckle you start wondering if you really need to pack that much. The Zip-a-Rak, a period accessory now back in reproduction, offered a different answer to the problem.
Introduced in June 1929 by Peters & Russell, Inc. of Springfield, Ohio, the Zip-a-Rak was a telescoping luggage rack that mounted to the rear bumperettes using the existing bolts. When closed, the rack's tubes nested together and tucked behind the spare tire, looking like nothing more than a bumper guard. When you needed cargo space, you pulled the rack open and latched it into position. The whole operation took a few seconds.
Photo credit: “Brad in Germany,” from Ford Barn
Peters & Russell advertised the Zip-a-Rak with a static capacity of 700 pounds, though the expected working load was 125 to 150 pounds. It could be installed in 10 to 15 minutes on any Model A. The list price was $12.50 ($14 if you were west of Denver).
The Zip-a-Rak has had a quiet afterlife in the hobby. Original racks surface occasionally at Hershey and other swap meets. John LaVoy produced a well-regarded reproduction some years ago, and last I heard, Bob LaFollette still had a couple of the LaVoy units for sale. More recently, a new reproduction has appeared on eBay from seller "old1931fordguy" at $500 with free shipping. That's considerably more than the standard folding racks available from the major suppliers, but the collapsible design is the whole point: the rack lives on the car and disappears when you don't need it.
There's a good thread on Ford Barn discussing the history of the Zip-a-Rak, with period advertisements and photos of both originals and reproductions.
First Look: Gear Drive downdraft intake manifold
Gear Drive Speed & Custom is a one-man speed parts shop in Minnesota. The proprietor, Matt Legare, mostly works in the V8 world, but about a year ago he debuted a Model A downdraft intake that’s becoming extremely popular. We took a look for ourselves.
Original Vulcan downdraft intake
Repro Burns intake
Original Winfield intake
The Gear Drive intake is a reproduction of the aluminum Vulcan intake. The Vulcan was a period speed part that resembled the Weber intake and contrasts with designs from Burns and Winfield. In the Burns intake design, the carb sits high above the intake pipes, and incoming air makes a sharp 90° turn to enter each intake. The Winfield design is similar, but raises the junction of the pipes so that it occurs right under the carb. The Vulcan design places the carb in the lowest possible spot, essentially integrating the throat of the carb with the intake pipes.
I compared the Gear Drive intake with an intake sold by Snyder’s, which uses the Winfield design but adapted for 3-bolt carbs. The Gear Drive design lowers the carb height by 4.25” and moves it about 2” farther away from the engine block.
This is important for buyers who plan to use the intake on a relatively stock engine. The lower the carb sits, the more compatible it is with the original gravity fuel feed design, and the more of the Model A gas tank capacity can be used. Moving the carb down and away from the exhaust manifold helps prevent heat buildup in the carb that can cause vapor lock on hot days.
You can see how the Gear Drive design places the fuel inlet for a Stromberg carb just a few inches above where the stock fuel inlet would be.
I also checked the position of the Gear Drive intake ports against an original intake manifold. The ports were within 1/16” of the original port measurements.
The Gear Drive downdraft intake is cost-competitive with the Snyder’s Winfield-style intake, costing $240 in comparison to $225 for the Snyder’s product. If the design allows buyers to avoid buying and installing a fuel pump, it would more than justify the extra $15. Both intakes are significantly less expensive than the Burns ($330) and Scalded Dog ($410) intakes; however, these intakes include a heat transfer plate and vacuum port.
Final thoughts on the new Gear Drive downdraft intake:
The Gear Drive website lists the intake as only available with decorative fins. The smooth version is “sold out.” I spoke to Legare, who said there was lackluster demand for the smooth version and he had no plans to cast more. The finned versions, on the other hand, are selling out as fast as he can make them.
If you plan to use this intake with the stock exhaust manifold (vs headers), send Gear Drive an email after you order and ask them to cut off the flanges. You will also need to grind a small amount off the ends of the fins so they fit under the exhaust.
It appears fairly straightforward to add a vacuum port to the Gear Drive intake by drilling and tapping a port directly into the carb throat.
When you receive your intake, check it carefully to make sure everything lines up. On my unit, the manifold stud ears are cut too wide, so I’ll need to grind them down a little bit. Also check to ensure your carb will actually mount on the mounting holes. If there are any machining errors, let Gear Drive know immediately and they will replace the intake.
A Word From Our Sponsors
I love the quirkiness of Smith & Jones, one of our club sponsors. The website has barely ever changed – it came online in 2011, but looks like it’s right out of the dot-com boom (and I hope you weren’t planning on learning anything about the parts being sold).
But Smith and Jones does carry some unique items, and one of my favorites is their console add-on for sedans. This cute little number fastens to the base of the shift lever and gives you a handy box and two drink holders. Keep your snacks, wallet, or even a spare carb in there. Best of all, it comes in black or brown. The brown is a S&J exclusive. Pick one up as a gift for your favorite Tudor driver.
Looking Ahead
Club Events
Saturday, April 11 — "Great Gatsby" prom rides for Cary Christian School seniors at MacGregor Downs Country Club. Pickup at 101 Marsailles Place, Cary. Email Darsen Sowers at [email protected] if you can bring your A.
Sunday, April 12 — Club meeting at Harris Lake County Park (Cypress Shelter). The club will provide hotdogs and hamburgers. Watch for Carol Murray's SignUpGenius for sides and desserts.
Saturday, April 25, noon to 4:00 PM — Fearrington Village Independence Festival in Pittsboro. The organizers need two or three Model A's to display alongside Rudy Socey's 1930 Model A. Email Jim Young at [email protected] to participate.
Saturday, April 25, 8:30 to 3:00 — Tour to Occoneechee Speedway and Ayr Mount House in Hillsborough. Meet in Holly Springs, lunch at the Wooden Nickel. Email Chuck at [email protected] for details.
Saturday, May 3 — Club meeting at Beech Bluff's County Park (Muscadine Shelter).
May 9 or May 16 (TBD) — Model A rides for kids at the Middlesex Children's Home. Carol Blanchard is coordinating — confirmation coming by email.
May (date TBD) — Game Day in the Oxford/Hillsborough area. Phil Taylor and Chuck Murray are organizing.
Saturday, June 7 — Club meeting at the home of Ron & Liz Hill, 29 Village Way, Lillington, NC.
Regional Events
April 17-18 — All-Model-A Parts Swap Meet hosted by the Old 96 District Model A Club at 314 Old Mount Moriah Road (Route 221), Greenwood, SC. Friday starts at 8:00 AM, Saturday wraps up at 3:00 PM. Call Sue Reynolds at 864-980-7937 or email [email protected] for details.
May 8-9 — Mid-Atlantic Pre-War Swap Meet at Comer-Jones VFW Post 621 in Luray, Virginia. Free admission and parking. Vendor registration at mapwsm.com.
Early June (date TBD) — 21st Annual All Model A & Model T Swap Meet at Smith & Jones Antique Auto Parts, 60 Wisconsin St, West Columbia, SC. Hosted by the Palmetto A's of South Carolina.
Saturday, September 26 — Sand Hills Model A Ford Club Annual Picnic at Anderson Creek Park in Lillington, NC.
National Events
May 11-14 — MARC National Tour & Membership Meet in the Finger Lakes region of New York, based in Penn Yan. A few registrations are still available at modelarestorersclub.org.
May 31 through June 7 — MAFCA National Convention in Pendleton, Oregon. Details and registration at 2026mafcanationalconvention.com.
July 12-16 — MARC National Meet at the French Lick Resort in French Lick, Indiana. Online registration at modelarestorersclub.org. Thursday night banquet is limited to the first 300 registrants.
September 18-19 — Model A Days 2026 at the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan. Car show, swap meet, technical and fashion seminars. Details at gilmorecarmuseum.org.