CarlG
Well-known member
I run "Collector Car" plates, cost the same and have the same privileges as the regular plates on my 2004 Explorer. They are just a different color and actually have a picture of a Model A on them.
1931 Daily Driver
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DougVieyra
Well-known member
My 1931 Dlx Coupe is my main driver for trips under 50 miles in distance. Over fifty miles I use my '69 VW Beatle, (which I bought new). A couple of times a month I drive my '29 Phaeton, when the weather is warm and sunny and the wind is quiet. Living on the fog-bound coast of Northern California, the temperature and wind conditions determine which car I drive - not the Model A's reliability. I drove my 1930 Std. Coupe to Alaska and back one Summer; then spent two weeks re-outfitting, and then set out on a three week camping trip to Nevada. These old Fords ARE dependable cars.
It should be pointed out also, as I see it mentioned that the Model A was used as daily drivers when they were new - that the Ford Model A continued to be used as primary transportation through the 1950's. Why ? Because the were affordable; Because they were dependable; and because they were easy to repair and maintain. That was true then, and it is true now.
Only two things have changed since then :
1. No more easy to find original (well-built) Ford-made parts - only parts of lesser quality (of course there are a good many exceptions).
And 2. - Some really great improvements have come along - i.e. Mitchel Over-Drive / Sycro. Transmission, Flat-Head Ted Brakes, six-blade plastic fan, twelve-volt conversions, etc. (some owners feel their Model A is even more reliable with Electronic Ignition, Weber Carbs, Alternators, 'Touring Engines', etc.). Some like a 'better' ride with 16" wheels/tires.
All these 'improvements' are just 'frosting' on the cake - but they do make for a better driving machine (and possibly more reliable), especially when used as a daily driver. However, my '28 Phaeton is bone stock as built by Ford Motor Company in 1928 ( I have replaced the water, oil, gas, and air) , and it runs just as well as my 'improved' '31 Coupe with all it's modern 'up-grades'. Both work very well as 'Every Day Drivers'.
It should be pointed out also, as I see it mentioned that the Model A was used as daily drivers when they were new - that the Ford Model A continued to be used as primary transportation through the 1950's. Why ? Because the were affordable; Because they were dependable; and because they were easy to repair and maintain. That was true then, and it is true now.
Only two things have changed since then :
1. No more easy to find original (well-built) Ford-made parts - only parts of lesser quality (of course there are a good many exceptions).
And 2. - Some really great improvements have come along - i.e. Mitchel Over-Drive / Sycro. Transmission, Flat-Head Ted Brakes, six-blade plastic fan, twelve-volt conversions, etc. (some owners feel their Model A is even more reliable with Electronic Ignition, Weber Carbs, Alternators, 'Touring Engines', etc.). Some like a 'better' ride with 16" wheels/tires.
All these 'improvements' are just 'frosting' on the cake - but they do make for a better driving machine (and possibly more reliable), especially when used as a daily driver. However, my '28 Phaeton is bone stock as built by Ford Motor Company in 1928 ( I have replaced the water, oil, gas, and air) , and it runs just as well as my 'improved' '31 Coupe with all it's modern 'up-grades'. Both work very well as 'Every Day Drivers'.
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freak
Senior Member
In Ohio, with "Historic" plates, you are supposedly limited to parades and special events,etc. The cost is only something like $25 and it doesn't need renewed. Fortunately I'm always going to a photo shoot!
Mitch//pa
BANNED
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John LaVoy
Well-known member
A Model A, with a few modifications, works well as a daily driver. Upon the return from our Summer Tour to Texas in 2008 my daughter was going through a nasty divorce and needed me to watch her sons while she went to work. In addition she needed to borrow my car. So I commuted about 40 miles a day five to six days a week for 6 months in my 1929 town sedan. I had no problems. It did take a little long to get gas etc. because so many people want to come up and talk but that is what is all about for me!
So yes the Model A can be a daily driver. we use the roadster pickup for doing all the local run around stuff and it is working real nice.
So yes the Model A can be a daily driver. we use the roadster pickup for doing all the local run around stuff and it is working real nice.
Kevin in NJ
Well-known member
First off read about how the cars were driven back when they were new and not so old used cars. You will find they were drive all over on horrible roads and they drove them the 60 MPH when roads were able to support them. They were putting 50,000 to 80,000 miles on the original babbitt.
All this without out any modern improvements.
What they did different is they had cars that were close to Ford specs. Today the cars are often built with used parts or bad ideas that lead to cars not built to Ford's VERY precise specifications.
If you restore your car to Ford's factory specifications (NOT to be confuse with JS correct) which means knowing how to used mic's to get sub thou accuracy at times. You build the engine as if you are building a race car engine. Then you will have a different car then most at the car shows. You will have a car that you will not be afraid to run 55 to 75 MPH and not be afraid to step on the brakes.
It is not cheap or easy to build a car back to factory specs hence the reason for so many 45 MPH cars. We are fortunate to have all the information and access to good quality reproduction parts that allow for a full and proper rebuild.
As for modern 'improvements' many seem to fail more then the factory or just are not needed for most cars. The improvements do a good job adding money to some peoples pockets. The 3 most changes that I would look at would be higher compression head, B type cam (new only), and the band type electronic voltage regulator. Things that are more safety related would be changes to direct replacement halogen bulbs, turn signals, seat belts, and fuzzy dice.
All this without out any modern improvements.
What they did different is they had cars that were close to Ford specs. Today the cars are often built with used parts or bad ideas that lead to cars not built to Ford's VERY precise specifications.
If you restore your car to Ford's factory specifications (NOT to be confuse with JS correct) which means knowing how to used mic's to get sub thou accuracy at times. You build the engine as if you are building a race car engine. Then you will have a different car then most at the car shows. You will have a car that you will not be afraid to run 55 to 75 MPH and not be afraid to step on the brakes.
It is not cheap or easy to build a car back to factory specs hence the reason for so many 45 MPH cars. We are fortunate to have all the information and access to good quality reproduction parts that allow for a full and proper rebuild.
As for modern 'improvements' many seem to fail more then the factory or just are not needed for most cars. The improvements do a good job adding money to some peoples pockets. The 3 most changes that I would look at would be higher compression head, B type cam (new only), and the band type electronic voltage regulator. Things that are more safety related would be changes to direct replacement halogen bulbs, turn signals, seat belts, and fuzzy dice.
That's a great point Kevin.
The experience of John, Doug, Carl, and others is a good indication of the usefulness of the Model A today.
Jonathan Klinger of Hagerty did drive his 1930 Tudor for a whole year in Michigan. To be fair, Jonathan is well versed in auto mechanics, and Jonathan did have some major problems, and ended up swapping his motor. His blog is still up- www.365daysofa.com
Back to your post, Kevin- If when the cars were new they were not capable of safe speeds over 45 MPH, that would mean there was something wrong and repairs would be necessary. These days, a 45 MPH car is considered "normal" by a lot of people, and like you, I disagree with that. My Tudor is safe at any speed right up to its redline, and it drives great. It has an "I can go anywhere, anytime" solid feel to it, unlike a lot of other Model A's I have driven. I'd have no hesitation of jumping in the Tudor right now and driving it across country. The only modifications to the Tudor is turn signals, and the extra brake light/turn signal light on the passenger's side to match the driver's side tail light. Totally stock motor, wheels, etc.
The main issue isn't the Model A itself, the main issue is the other traffic on the roads. Most drivers seem to drive their vehicles right to their design limits all the time. The race between stop lights is never ending. If you don't race also and keep the gap tight to the car in front of you, then other cars constantly dart in front of you to take that space and make an unsafe situation even worse.
For driving a Model A every day, I would say the very first modification to the car would need to be turn signals. In fact, I would even go so far as to say this would be mandatory. The extra brake light would be next on the list. Making sure your brakes are in top condition should be your primary mechanical concern. if your Model A cannot lock up all 4 wheels in a panic stop, then it's time to fix it BEFORE you use it as a daily driver.
I use the Tudor several times a week for non-work related trips and errands. I happen to live in a fairly rural area about 5 miles from a small town. That town is so small, it doesn't even have a single stop light. The Model A is ideal for this kind of thing. However, when I drive the 30+ miles to the nearest larger town with traffic, stop lights, etc., the Model A becomes a little less safe feeling.
The experience of John, Doug, Carl, and others is a good indication of the usefulness of the Model A today.
Jonathan Klinger of Hagerty did drive his 1930 Tudor for a whole year in Michigan. To be fair, Jonathan is well versed in auto mechanics, and Jonathan did have some major problems, and ended up swapping his motor. His blog is still up- www.365daysofa.com
Back to your post, Kevin- If when the cars were new they were not capable of safe speeds over 45 MPH, that would mean there was something wrong and repairs would be necessary. These days, a 45 MPH car is considered "normal" by a lot of people, and like you, I disagree with that. My Tudor is safe at any speed right up to its redline, and it drives great. It has an "I can go anywhere, anytime" solid feel to it, unlike a lot of other Model A's I have driven. I'd have no hesitation of jumping in the Tudor right now and driving it across country. The only modifications to the Tudor is turn signals, and the extra brake light/turn signal light on the passenger's side to match the driver's side tail light. Totally stock motor, wheels, etc.
The main issue isn't the Model A itself, the main issue is the other traffic on the roads. Most drivers seem to drive their vehicles right to their design limits all the time. The race between stop lights is never ending. If you don't race also and keep the gap tight to the car in front of you, then other cars constantly dart in front of you to take that space and make an unsafe situation even worse.
For driving a Model A every day, I would say the very first modification to the car would need to be turn signals. In fact, I would even go so far as to say this would be mandatory. The extra brake light would be next on the list. Making sure your brakes are in top condition should be your primary mechanical concern. if your Model A cannot lock up all 4 wheels in a panic stop, then it's time to fix it BEFORE you use it as a daily driver.
I use the Tudor several times a week for non-work related trips and errands. I happen to live in a fairly rural area about 5 miles from a small town. That town is so small, it doesn't even have a single stop light. The Model A is ideal for this kind of thing. However, when I drive the 30+ miles to the nearest larger town with traffic, stop lights, etc., the Model A becomes a little less safe feeling.
SeaSlugs
Well-known member
this is the main concern: The model A hasnt changed, the world around it has.
Even in my 1980 chevette which is severely underpowered and manual hydraulic brakes with non vented rotors gets scary. Ive almost been rear ended twice with the car coming up behind me i noticed they weren't slowing down so i start flashing my brakelights and see them nosedive, one car had to swerve and when they finally stopped their front bumper was even with my backseat. Its bright red car with 2 5x6 brakelights.... times like that make me shudder what traffic is going to do when i can only go 35-40mph in my AA once i get it going... The backend of mine is going to be lit up like a christmas tree as theres no way to get out of my town without going on 55mph 4 lane highway or 55mph twisty country roads which lead to other 55mph4 lanes...Also will be avoiding the rushhour as everyone goes 65-70mph in those 55mph roads...
Mike V. Florida
Well-known member
Where/how you drive an A as a daily driver is important. I drive modern to work every day 70+ mph on the highway. Never would try that with an A.
Can it be driven every day, yes.
Can it be driven as a modern car, No.