1931 Ford Model A Drop-Floor Delivery, Coachwork by Murray

1931 Ford Model A Drop-Floor Delivery
Coachwork by Murray
Engine no. A4384765
Even within a sub-category of vehicle, plenty of variety was on offer. Answering calls for a version of the Type 130-B Deluxe Delivery (like to preceding lot ) with a lower loading floor, Ford introduced the Type 225-A Drop-Floor Delivery. Developed by Ford's Chicago branch, it featured a two-level cargo floor that dropped 12 inches (30.5cm) behind the rear hub to make it easier to load heavy objects. The low loading floor necessitated longer rear doors and the elimination of the rear bumper, however, which made the truck vulnerable to damage. That, combined with a price of $560, resulted in relatively few being sold with only 89 examples rolling offing the line—77 in 1931 and 12 in 1932.

This Drop-Floor Delivery is nicely finished in bright red with black fenders and striping. Fitted with an auxiliary horn, radiator grill guard, and a fender mounted mirror, it joined the Hartogh Collection in 1984. Coming from an American collection before that, it is reported by the seller to have originally been used to transport prisoners—one can only assume that the drop-floor made loading shackled criminals easier. This is an exceedingly rare opportunity to acquire one of but a small handful of surviving examples of what has always been a rare machine.