Driving an A on the highways.

I have driven some perfectly painted cars that were scary to drive over 35 --local show prize winners.

On the same road I have driven stock A's that had the "rat rod" look --taped in clear plastic roof, blanket seat covers that were a pleasure to drive at 65.

Properly operating shock absorbers are very important for a car being driven at highway speeds, they are the difference between a scary drive at 45, and a comfortable ride at 60.

The rat car had good restored brakes and good working shocks ---the paint restored car had no shocks.
 
Dave in Boise said:
I have a magnetic, bright orange reflective triangle that you see on Ahmish buggies and tractors that I use if I will be in traffic.. It's surprising how easy it is to see in all conditions
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a friend & I drove Model As from Jacksonville to Dearborn in 1990 on the interstates. (this was back in the 55 mph years so traffic was mostly under 70) we had SMV triangles on the rear of our cars. in Ohio the State Patrol pulled us over had us remove the triangles. we were running 50-55 but Ohio law prohibited them on anything traveling over 25 mph.
 
People are idiots around here (Philadelphia area) and I have seen a drastic decline in driving courtesy and skill in the last ten years. The other week I was driving in my modern car, in the passing lane on a four-lane highway. I passed a teen-age girl driving with left foot propped on the dash and a cell phone in her right hand.

We used to be rural here, but suburbia is encroaching, and there is a whole new attitude toward driving.
 
pat in Santa Cruz
"If the line gets to 5 cars, I pull over (that's the law here)."

Pretty much ignored in California:(, but true none the less. Of course it became the law when highway 80 was two lanes wide and went to the Atlantic Ocean.

Tom Endy
"My experience driving a Model A for the past 24 years on daily drives and numerous cross country tours is that most folks on the road will show far more courtesy to you in your Model A"

And this is even true in California.:eek:

Tom Endy
"At most Disney stores you can purchase a pair of Mickey Mouse "hands"."

Are the fingers bendable?:D

brum1
"Most folks who pass take their time and study the car as the smile and wave"

Same here except once in a while you get somebody that has to really study the car and you're not sure if they are studying or taking aim.;)

Mike V. Florida
"They honk and wave as they pass by, I think they're waving with all 5 fingers."

This is why I asked about the Mickey Mouse hands above.:D
 
The Mickey Mouse hands are like big giant gloves, with five individual bendable fingers. I bought mine at Disneyland in Anaheim. I was in a Disney store in a mall this week and did not see them. You might have to order them.

Tom Endy
 
One of the worst things to happen on the interstate while driving in your Model A is when the passing cars slow down to your speed, the wife rolls down her window and leans out trying to take a picture of your Model A. This really backs up traffic when 2 or 3 tourist in a row do the same thing. This has happened several times to me while on tours and longer trips during the summer tourist season.
 
Mike V. Florida said:
Not true, a stock Model A should go faster than 40, 45. Your Model A may not due to, low compression, timing a little off, carb a little clogged, etc.

This is not a negative comment against you, I just don't want you to think all stock Model As have a top speed of 45. Mine has a "sweet spot" at about 43 mph but it will go faster.
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No problem Mike about comment. I am an old stubborn Dutchman. Like water on duck, it bonces off.

My problem is I do not have the intestinal fortituude to go faster. I think my rig will get up to 55-60 without any problems but I only have about 600 miles on the rebuild. So I am just taking it easy plus the problem listed above. The engine runs well at just about any speed but it seems to "purr" at about 40-50.
 
The highway patrol came to one of our model "T" meetings. They said not to pull over. Pulling over will cause more wrecks. Maintain your speed and people will pass when they have a clear highway.They said pulling off and on the road is dangerous for everybody on the road. It seems to be courteous but it is not.
 
I drive 45 on highways and avoid interstates. On club tours we take backroads when possible.
 
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