The Ford A series is a range of trucks that was built by Ford UK to bridge the gap between the relatively small Transit of 3.5 metric tonnes GVW and the bigger 7-tonne D series. In 1967, Ford made the decision to carry out a thorough investigation of the sector of 3.5 to 7 ton GVW trucks. The decision to introduce the range was made in 1970 and development began in early 1971. Public debut for the A series was at the Frankfurt Motor Show 1973. Some 20 vehicles running over 500 000 miles were used during the three-year, 12 million-pound proving and development programme. The A series was commercially first introduced on September 13, 1973. Over 350 basic variants were built, allowing for wheelbase, gross weight, engine and body types, and also LHD and RHD. Even an articulated tractor or "baby" artic, the AA0709 with a GCW of 6600 kg was added to the range but only sold in the UK. The "A" cab shared most components with the Transit and the most notable differences are the longer and wider wings, longer hood and a different grille. Unlike the Transit that had a face lift in 1977/1978 the "A" retained its profile for the entire period of production. The A series could be divided into two categories:
The smaller A04xx with 14-inch wheels, 6x170 mm bolt pattern, and four-cylinder engines.
The bigger A05xx / A06xx with 16-inch wheels, 6×205 mm bolt pattern, stronger frame and six-cylinder engines.
Four different engines were offered: a 2.4l 4-cylinder diesel. A 3.54l 6-cylinder diesel, actually a 2.4 with 2 more cylinders, a 2l V4 petrol and a 3l V6 petrol. Three transmissions were offered: Ford 4-speed 4-310 synchro only on 2-3-4, Turner 4 spd T4-150 1-2-3-4 synchro, and the ZF 5 spd S5-24/3 1-2-3-4-5 synchro offered as a high capacity unit. 3 driving axles were offered: The versions with 14-inch wheels had a slightly modified 50-series axle similar to the Transit. Ratios 4.625 and 5.125 Single 16 in wheel models had a Salisbury Engineering 8HA/Dana 60. Ratios 4.88 to 6.17. Dual 16 in wheel models had a Salisbury Engineering 10HA/Dana 70HD. Ratios 4.88 to 7.17. Four wheelbases were offered: 120, 130, 145 and 156 inches.
