A year in a Model A

...in Michigan, no less...

http://www.365daysofa.com/

Sounds like a fun project. Not one I would want to undertake per se in MI,but interesting none-the-less. I wish guy luck in the snow,and ice.

I used to work with a guy who used a Model T truck as his daily driver - he drove it year round, in Minnesota, which I thought was pretty hard core. This was in the late 1970s.

I'm jealous....that sounds like fun.

I have friend here in northern Ohio who drives a Series 1 Jag XKE convertable every day of the summer. For the winter he gets out the "old truck" his 1939 Chevy Pickup truck. He has driven this truck for over 30 yrs. Keep in mind this is no "resto-mod" but at some time in the 80's he put a 6 cyl motor and drivetrain from a 70's Olds Omega into it to "freshen it up."

His joke is always the same, "this year I am thinking of installing turn signals." "People just don't understand hand signals any more!"
Note: turn signals debuted in 1940.
To this day, the truck still has no turn signals.
His is damn close to this truck.

My '40 IH only has one brake light too, two weren't required until '53 or so.

How much would you have to lower a model A to autocross it? Would radial tires put it in SP? Or would adding shocks and springs put it straight to SM?

oldopelguy wrote: How much would you have to lower a model A to autocross it? Would radial tires put it in SP? Or would adding shocks and springs put it straight to SM?

I've been on this forum for quite a while. But this has to absolutely sum up why people think we are crazy sometimes.

why did I read that 365 day Sofa?

Teh E36 M3 wrote: why did I read that 365 day Sofa?

because that's what it LOOKS like...I mean, really...

i wish i had a car like that so i could do it, too..

about 15 years ago, there was a guy in Buffalo, MN that drove a Pro Street '55 Chevy all year long.. one thing you don't expect to see driving down the road on a snowy January day when the temps are hovering at about -10 or so is a tubbed shoebox Chevy with a blown big block (mostly) under the hood...

jrw1621 wrote: His is damn close to this truck.

If that were true, wouldn't he be like in the picture?

cxhb wrote:

oldopelguy wrote: How much would you have to lower a model A to autocross it? Would radial tires put it in SP? Or would adding shocks and springs put it straight to SM?

I've been on this forum for quite a while. But this has to absolutely sum up why people think we are crazy sometimes.

There's nothing crazy about wanting to autocross a near-stock model A.....crazy is when you start discussing an the LSx swap "to make it more competitive."

I drove a stock Model A once, it was awesome.

My aunt was considering "giving me" my uncle's Model A after he died. I'm not sure why she had me in mind as I was never allowed to drive it when he was living. But I had to pass on the "gift", as I didn't have the $19K with which to "thank her".

Wow. I have no excuse now. I have been trying to drive my '75 Duster every day but sometimes I jump in my Sunfire. Time to get serious.

Mazdax605 wrote: I wish guy luck in the snow,and ice.

People did it then and no reason he can't do it now. In fact, it should be easier now, with more paved roads and better plowing, I'm sure.

Yeah, the worst part may be the primitive heater found in most Model As. They didn't have much for window defogging, either.

I wonder if mechanical brakes like to freeze up when they're driven in snow and slush.

"No, the car has no heater"

He's going to have some fun winter days.

JoeyM wrote:

cxhb wrote:

oldopelguy wrote: How much would you have to lower a model A to autocross it? Would radial tires put it in SP? Or would adding shocks and springs put it straight to SM?

I've been on this forum for quite a while. But this has to absolutely sum up why people think we are crazy sometimes.

There's nothing crazy about wanting to autocross a near-stock model A.....crazy is when you start discussing an the LSx swap "to make it more competitive."

How about a Model T?

I'm surprised no one yet has mentioned the Finnish guy who built a Model A with a Cosworth engine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFSGSL3Nrmc

Tommy Suddard wrote: "No, the car has no heater" He's going to have some fun winter days.

Says the driver of a Spitfire...

I have to admit, there are times when I think it would be fun to daily-drive an old car. But after driving the E30 for awhile and being so happy to get back into the mundane but much more comfortable Mk IV Jetta, I'm not so sure.

Of the classic cars we own (and I lump the E30 in with them), the only one I'd consider for a daily driver would be the '73 1800ES - although with a/c and a better stereo.

Definitely bookmarking that page. Very cool. I may have to go see him at Hershey next year, it's about 40 minutes away!

Ian F wrote:

Tommy Suddard wrote: "No, the car has no heater" He's going to have some fun winter days.

Says the driver of a Spitfire... I have to admit, there are times when I think it would be fun to daily-drive an old car. But after driving the E30 for awhile and being so happy to get back into the mundane but much more comfortable Mk IV Jetta, I'm not so sure. Of the classic cars we own (and I lump the E30 in with them), the only one I'd consider for a daily driver would be the '73 1800ES - although with a/c and a better stereo.

Huh, I think of my E30 as a modern car.

oldopelguy wrote: My '40 IH only has one brake light too, two weren't required until '53 or so. How much would you have to lower a model A to autocross it? Would radial tires put it in SP? Or would adding shocks and springs put it straight to SM?

Actually, the requirement came with the '58 model year. But it was common to offer a second brake light as an option, or with the deluxe trim package.

This could get interesting, especially in the winter!