A whisper of breeze stirs the tall grass growing defiantly on either side of the road. The day is far too hot for voluntary movement, but the 1930 Ford Model A Coupe is presently in motion. The Kamloops heat radiates off the gravel road, creating a shimmering curtain of haze. Beyond it, the view blurs and softens—dreamlike and distant.

1930 Ford Model A Coupe 

Photos by Carson Montague

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The Model A crests the hill and breaks through the haze, emerging on the other side like a triumphant mirage. Cloaked in PPG’s Organic Maroon, its modern elegance and timeless design vividly contrast against the sunbaked landscape. 

The Ford Motor Company introduced the Model A in 1927 as a successor to the popular Model T, the first mass-produced car in America. With a three-speed transmission, hydraulic shocks, improved comfort, and the now-iconic coupe styling, the Model A was in a class of its own.  

James’ Model A first rolled off the Ford assembly line in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1930, a few years after the model’s debut. It eventually found a home in Montana, where it sat for decades, hidden away in an old hay barn until James rescued it.  

Where others saw rust and decay, James saw historical significance and raw potential. The restoration was comprehensive—a full body-off rebuild, with countless hours dedicated to reshaping and refining every detail. 

The original frame was replaced with an aftermarket 1932 Ford frame for enhanced strength and stance. Dan’s Kamloops Collision Centre performed meticulous paint and body work, transforming the coupe from a dust-encrusted barn find into a nostalgic beauty.  



Beneath its sleek exterior is a built 409 paired with Gear Drive Lake Style chrome headers, blued with age and use, and a custom exhaust system fabricated by James. Small port heads, a 348 Tri-Power intake, and a trio of Rochester 2G carburetors round out the build, producing an impressive 375 horsepower, as measured on the dynamometer.  

The Model A’s finishing touches pay tribute to hot rod heritage—Offenhauser finned valve covers and hand-fabricated air cleaners, inspired by vintage oil-bath designs, give the engine bay an unmistakable custom character.

 

For James, the build was never just about performance—every bolt and bracket recalls a passage in a shared story and a mutual love for classic automobiles. It’s a legacy car, the final project James completed with his father, who passed away shortly after its completion.  

The coupe continues its journey through Kamloops’ hilly terrain with James at the wheel. The city, located at the confluence of the North and South Thompson Rivers, gets its name from a Secwépemc word meaning “where the rivers meet.” It's also the place where the stories of James, his father, and the 1930 Ford Model A Coupe converge. Ford built the original car; James restored it, and, in doing so, preserved cherished memories. 

Shops, like Dan’s Kamloops Collision Centre, rely on autobody repair equipment and supplies from vetted technology leaders to restore classic cars to showroom quality. They find almost everything they need to restore and repair—from adhesives, tapes, and body fillers to paint products and other essentials from 3M—at Lordco Auto Parts.

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