Driving an "a" in snow..?

[bobpo1]

We haven't had the snow this season like we did last season. BUT, I drove my '30 coupe out into my backyard last winter in about 6-8" snow. I had heard that they handle very well in the snow, but I have to tell ya, I stuck in no time and had to rock myself out backwards. Does this happen to most of you in the snowbelt or am I missing something...?

 

[Phred]

I concur, I've heard lots of seasoned drivers boast about how great their cars went through the snow "back in the day". "Those narrow tires just cut through to the snow..."
My experiences with both a '37 Plymouth and Model A sedan were more similar to yours, the car did not handle well.

I suspect the people telling about those times do not mention how their cars were prepared for the snow (additional weight, snow tires, and/or chains). In short, our cars may not be as "prepared" for the snow as they used to be.

 

[George Miller]

We haven't had the snow this season like we did last season. BUT, I drove my '30 coupe out into my backyard last winter in about 6-8" snow. I had heard that they handle very well in the snow, but I have to tell ya, I stuck in no time and had to rock myself out backwards. Does this happen to most of you in the snowbelt or am I missing something...?

Back in the 60ts I drove my Special Coupe all winter long in Northern Mich. It handled real well in the snow. The skinny tires would go through the snow to the ground for good traction. But now days with all the road salt I would not drive my car on the roads with salt on them.

 

[P.S.]

Up over Dinner Pass in the snow, the Model A handled very well. Of course, we were not going over 30 MPH, and we were all very aware of the 'feel' of the road. None of the Model As in the group had chains, and CHP never stopped any of the Model As in our group. Maybe they just thought Model A people were crazy.

I wouldn't want to try that through deep drifts or piles of snow. But for your average unplowed highways, the Model A seems to do very well.

 

[mike657894]

snow on gravel vs grass is very different. and starts and stops are always tougher in the snow. you always have to shovel your driveway or it will build up and you will get stuck.

 

[Jon]

Try the clothesline rope for snows!

 

[mike657894]

i like that rope wrap trick!

 

[Bulligen]

When I bought my Model A Sedan in 1971, it was the only car I had and I drove it to highschool most every day. I did get caught in some snow storms and have to say it got me back and forth just fine!

 

[Great Lakes Greg]

I haven't tried my "A", but the Model T cut through snow like butter. The snow was deep enough to leave a trench in the middle from the differential.

 

[2manycars]

I have had some of my cars in the snow, and did fine on the road, but not so much in the grass. The colder the snow, the better the traction.

 

[C26Pinelake]

Big difference between grass and asphalt ! Try it on the road. My Tudor cuts thru the snow ( I don't take the more expensive A's out in bad weather ) ! Wayne

 

[pgerhardt]

I don't have experience driving my model A (at that time a 30 coupe) in the snow since my "winter" old car was a 1936 hump back 4 door sedan. It was great in the snow, but I did have special snow tires on it. They looked like scaled up motorcycle motocross tires! A Southwind heater kept it nice and warm. The picture show my 36 in her winter dress.

 

[bobpo1]

Try the clothesline rope for snows!

I will definitely try the Ol' Rope trick this winter. I would love to drive it to the coffee shop in some snow (just to show it off).....LOL

 

[Jon]

I used cotton....I suspect nylon would last longer! Mine lasted about 24 miles mostly on pavement.

 

[C26Pinelake]

I used the yellow 1/4 polypropylene available at Harbor Freight. I used it 30 miles and had to retie one wheel at half way. Wayne

 

[barnstuf]

The skinny tires and high road clearance is a plus. For serious snow driving adding weight over the rear wheels is a must. I used to put cement blocks in the rumble seat of my coupe (seat cushions removed of course) and I could handle all but the deepest snow. I am older and wiser now that roads are salted and the Coupe stays in the barn, but I have memories.

 

[leo]

I had a 1933 Chevrolet coupe when I was in High School (1967) and I drove that car all over the place in snow and I never got stuck. No snow tires or chains, just old tires from who knows when. I think they were petrified because they had red tubes in them from ???

 

[armchair67]

I drove mine all last winter and let me tell you, it was a real winter. I got stuck once, had to dig out a little bit, but so did an SUV that tried to make it down the same alley AFTER I made it through.

 

[George Miller]

For those of you that have never driven in deep snow or on ice. Wide tires are not a blessing in snow and ice. They do work good on a dry road.

 

[carbed87]

I got pretty excited to get mine out this winter. If i plan on doing this often however i think a t-stat should be on my list of things to buy.