Chassis rides

Ken B

Ken B

Senior Member
We have all been there when restoring a Model A. You have just gotten the chassis done and you can't wait to go for a ride. How many different ways have you all taken that first chassis ride to shake the bugs out. I have heard of sitting on milk crates, 5 gallon buckets, lawn chairs, etc... I bet someone out there probably even fastened on their ol' Lazyboy for the first ride. I am getting close to getting my chassis out for a ride so what are some suggestions? Pictures? I have mocked up a dash board with the coil, ammeter, ignition switch, gas tank and I thought I should add a kill switch in the ignition just in case I get bucked off for some reason.
 
We were cutting up an old Toyota at the firehouse years ago, I told the boys to be careful with the front bucket seats. They had no idea what I was up to. The seats bolted to a 1 inch piece of plywood, and I have used it on three frames.
 
I recall several years ago I fastened 3/4" plexiglass to the frame and the make shift dash made of bed rails. What a sight, the seats mounted on the see though deck and pair of 28 plates tied to the frame front and rear. Every evening I'd take a spin through the village until "John Law" stopped me. It went like this: " What is this?" Officer, this is a 1928 Ford Model A farm tractor. "No it is not! Where do you live?" I told him and he suggested I take it straight home; I did :)
 
1/2 bushel apple crate, boards, c-clamps, angle iron makes for a ride.
 

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Nice touch with the co-pilot seat. I just got mine running tonight. I just am waiting for the brake drums to get done and pick up tires at the Iola Old Car Show later this week. Then I need to find just the right chair for the ride.
 
hello
here is what i did the milk crate did not look safe
kevin 1930 model atudor
1923 model t roadster p/u
 

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Wire milk crate on plywood. That was while ago and I remember being pretty pleased with it. Just cruising around the apple trees.....Thanks
 

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When road testing a chassis be sure the seat is sturdy enough for the heaviest driver and it is bolted to the frame to prevent it from tipping backward on sudden clutch engagement of acceleration as well as sideways on a sudden turn. Had the misfortune of hitting a curb and the steering went full left turn almost throwing a young passenger onto the roadway. ............Use caution ! When you don't think anything can go wrong, it will.
 
My Fathers little brother died in a chassis ride in '58. Him and a buddy were building a car, and the chassis with a deck were done. The driver hopped on behind the wheel and Ken threw an oil crate onto the deck and jumped on. They went down the road and the driver turned to pull into a hayfield to turn around, as the pulled into the open bar way, the front tire dug into the shoulder and the chassis spun around hitting a tree. Not much of an impact but Ken came off of the crate and drove his head into the roll bar. They unplugged his ventilator a week layer, on Mothers Day 1958.
 
Just got my 1930 Tudor chassis ready for a ride . Used a '96 Dodge Caravan seat all bolted down an a lawnmower gas tank.
Great first ride but something was wrong with the motor, so tore it down last week and found warped ex. valve. I'll try again next week after a new set of valves installed. Grant.
 

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Sorry to hear about the tragic loss in 1958. This thread is also important to emphasize the safety requirements and concerns when planning on taking a chassis out for a ride.
 
QGolden said:
My Fathers little brother died in a chassis ride in '58. Him and a buddy were building a car, and the chassis with a deck were done. The driver hopped on behind the wheel and Ken threw an oil crate onto the deck and jumped on. They went down the road and the driver turned to pull into a hayfield to turn around, as the pulled into the open bar way, the front tire dug into the shoulder and the chassis spun around hitting a tree. Not much of an impact but Ken came off of the crate and drove his head into the roll bar. They unplugged his ventilator a week layer, on Mothers Day 1958.
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That is very sad.

I am a retired LEO and I had the misfortune of having to deal with a incident where an elderly gentleman managed to drive his newly restored vintage ford chassis ( no body or seats) through his garage door - into the road and got hit by a passing vehicle - the results were fatal.

Our investigation concluded that it was driver error - he had selected the wrong gear - and because the seat was not bolted down as the car lurched forward he was just on the back and along for what turned out to be a very short ride.

Speaking to his widow - she told me that 10 years earlier he had a bad crash in the car whilst negotiating his own driveway he went forwards into a passing car - he then stored the car for a long time vowing to get it all rebuilt on his retirement.

I guess that car just had it in for him.
 
BobbyG said:
That is very sad.
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That is only half of the story. The small town in NH where this happened did not have an Ambulance. My Father was a Fireman and chaired the the committee to bring one in. He and a few fellers took a Red Cross Emergency First Aid course, had a fundraiser and purchased a used Hearse from a neighboring town's Funeral Home. We owned the the only Garage in town and Dad had just finished painting the Hearse red and wired in the Red lights/Siren. A couple of guys were loading in first aid supplies while a Signsmith was doing the Gold Leaf lettering in the side. The call came in about an accident on N. Barnstead Rd., and the three of them, all friends, proudly drove the shiny new Ambulance, paint still wet, with lights and siren through town, only to find that the very first call was two of their best friends, with Dads Brother being one them.
 
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