Got a car now what?

michael a

michael a

Senior Member
What are you doing with your car? Do you drive it. Are you rebuilding it to brand-new status. Do you go to meet with it. Or do you just like to polish it I would like to know would you like to do with your car or truck.
 
Congrats on your purchase! We need more information about your car, pictures would help us to determine the status of your purchase. With any new to you purchase the first thing to do would be to check fluids in radiator, motor, transmission, rearend, etc! Enjoy your car!
 
I just bought my 30 blindback that you see in my profile. I am currently cleaning it up and bringing it back to show status as the guy i bought it from never did anything with it other than have it sit in his garage and take it out once in awhile. Its held up really well and just needs some fine tuning and cleanup and to be driven.
 
Michael a,

Congratulations on acquiring an A. I don't want to get banned so I'll be as polite as possible. I joined this forum three years ago. Just by hanging around and reading the posts I got a lot of information about what people do with their A's, problems they encounter and best of all how to solve problem or avoid them.

For my wife and I, our original car (30 Roadster) is a real project, so we bought a restored 29 Roadster that we could drive without any major problems. We go to swap meets and are accumulating parts to restore the 30 Roadster.

After driving the 29 Roadster my wife realized she would prefer a closed car so we have some decisions to make because of limited garage space.

Enjoy your car and keep reading and posting on Ford Barn.

David Serrano
 
California Travieso said:
Michael a,

Congratulations on acquiring an A. I don't want to get banned so I'll be as polite as possible. I joined this forum three years ago. Just by hanging around and reading the posts I got a lot of information about what people do with their A's, problems they encounter and best of all how to solve problem or avoid them.

For my wife and I, our original car (30 Roadster) is a real project, so we bought a restored 29 Roadster that we could drive without any major problems. We go to swap meets and are accumulating parts to restore the 30 Roadster.

After driving the 29 Roadster my wife realized she would prefer a closed car so we have some decisions to make because of limited garage space.

Enjoy your car and keep reading and posting on Ford Barn.

David Serrano
Click to expand...
Decision #1: Add on to the garage!
 
What do I do with my car (s)? I have three of them (2 1930 Coupes, and a 1930 TownSedan)
I enjoy driving it around. People waving an up turned thumb and the questions (Does it have a starter?) What I don't enjoy is the fact that the restorer used the cheapest of parts and paint. I'm always fixing something. This AM, My speedometer quit again at 60mph, 55 mph - OK, 60 not ok! My Trans jumps out of third. It's an old problem that's getting worse. Used to be 40 mph, now it's 35, It's a PITA. The restorer thought primer was too much money to sink into the project, so he just painted it with 1 coat of cheap enamel and where it peels off, it leaves bare metal, so one by one, I fix it correctly, so far I've rebuilt the steering box and parts of the front end. The Ign. switch. the speedometer. the transmission cover. The generator and starter. But I'm having fun! It's the feelings of accomplishment when I got it right. The other two? They both run but one's on the road and one isn't. I'm about 2/3s the way thru restoration of the Town Sedan and the coupe needs body work.
Terry
 
michael a said:
What are you doing with your car? Do you drive it. Are you rebuilding it to brand-new status. Do you go to meet with it. Or do you just like to polish it I would like to know would you like to do with your car or truck.
Click to expand...

1. Yes, I drive my A
2. She is being repaired/improved step by step....not by me. I'm not a mechanic.
3. I live with Sarah, my, 'Sunday-Never-Go to Church' (I'm a heathen) auto sit's outside while Sarah is in the attached garage.
4. She is polished/wax to such a high shine, Sarah is my mirror when I shave.

Do I love my Sarah????? You betcha!!!!!;)

Hope you will too...................
 
40 Deluxe said:
Decision #1: Add on to the garage!
Click to expand...

There you go. Sounds like a plan! But I do need to get rid of two older cars that are money pits. Rather spend that money on the A's.

P.S. To original poster: join a local club if you haven't done so, and read as many of the books and literature that you can buy on the MAFCA web site. The literature is your Batchelor of Science in Model A and Ford Barn is your PhD.

David Serrano
 
The number one thing to do is - and this is EXTREMELY important - keep your wife HAPPY ! And the more work your new 'antique' car will need (restoration - up-keep, etc.) the more work you will have to do to KEEP YOUR WIFE HAPPY !

Hopefully there is some latitude to allow HER to make the car-type/model choice; to allow HER to chose the color (hopefully from the Ford Factory choices), to allow her to make as many 'input' into the new hobby as possible.

One ploy, often used by a great many men, is to get her excited about the fashion aspect of the hobby. Another is the great social aspect of the hobby. For many women these two areas offer more 'return on the investment' than messing around with a bunch of grease and swearing in the garage.

So, to sum up - you keep your woman happy and she will keep you happy ! :)
 
Recently acquired mine from my Dad's estate. He purchased it in 1965 and I helped him restore it back in 1985. After that he was getting older and lost interest, so he put the car on jackstands in heated garage and walked away. He would not let anyone near it. When I visited, I would sneak to the car and turn it over with the crank to keep the engine freed up. He passed away in Oct so I worked on it this winter and got it running again. I plan on driving it around with the grandkids and possibly going to meets. I'm not fond of any show circuits. I just want to have fun with the car. Can't find any local clubs though unless someone knows of one.
 
DougVieyra said:
The number one thing to do is - and this is EXTREMELY important - keep your wife HAPPY ! And the more work your new 'antique' car will need (restoration - up-keep, etc.) the more work you will have to do to KEEP YOUR WIFE HAPPY !
Click to expand...

That's why I waited till I was single again, I'm the one that I keep happy. Sarah and I are quite happy together. ;) Neither her nor I have to answer to anyone....well maybe Larry!!!:D
 
michael a said:
I'm sorry I misled you all, I have not gotten an A yet!
Click to expand...

Wow, Michael. You've been active on this forum for two years and haven't picked one up yet. That is unexpected. If your question is "how will I be able to enjoy mine once I get it?" that is really up to you.

If you strive for restored fine-points perfection...that's what you do. But, you likely won't drive it much because you don't want to risk a paint chip.

If you prefer to drive it around and not worry about that first dent (or 235th dent)... than do that. In stock condition they can be very capable daily drivers...just keep it off the highway.

Personally, I did not restore mine, I just 'fixed it up.' I made it presentable, and reliable. I put in new upholstery because that is where my wife spends her time. I drive it to car shows and put a "please do not judge" sign on it. I drive it to the hardware store and end up talking to families in the parking lot. I drive it to my brother's house a hundred miles away for a barbecue.

When it comes to car shows I prefer family events. Often times, I will plan to do some basic maintenance and repairs while I'm there... tear down and clean carburetors; adjust brakes; unmount and remount a tire from a rim... I make it an educational experience. I find people love it.

It really comes down to your personality.

One last thing...a daily driver is a heck of a lot less expensive than a fine-points car.

Ken
 
Mike, I am new to the hobby - I bought my first A ('31 AA, actually) last spring and rebuilt the engine. It is a driver, not a show car. I plan to license it for parades and August-only driving here in MI.

As for keeping the spouse happy - I totally agree with Doug. So, what did I do? I bought a '29 roadster PU for my wife! She loves it. Once I clean out the radiator with vinegar this spring, it will be ready for her to go grocery shopping, etc, as it will be licensed as a normal vehicle.

So, my road to model-A happiness was paved for TWO.
(Yes, expand the garage!)
 
I drive my A's to escape... Modern technology, fast roads, stress of modern life. When driving the A, I feel at one with the car. Listening to it, as it speaks to me. The road less travelled, has great advantages. I do go to cruise nights, but Mainly to see what everyone else has to show. My cars range from unrestored to good driver quality. I get great pleasure from the journey, not the destination.
Micheal A. I hope you find your car soon. Jeff
 
If you join a club, then your model A experience will be enriched. by new friends, events to do,tours to go on, others to help ect. If you're a lone wolf, then I don't know•••• maybe you will just sit around and polish it, because you don't have anyone to hang out with that is into the A. For me, I really don't like going to shows unless others I know are there. Makes life more interesting with friends, that are interested in the same things as you.
 
I figure that if I went to all the trouble and expense of restoring a car, I have the right to wear the @#$% out again!:D
What have I done with my As? The first one (29 Phaeton), I hooked a camper behind and my wife and I set off touring. About 30,000 miles in 3 years and we are planning our next trip. Driving it and meeting all sorts of people as we tour can't be surpassed.
 
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Got my first car and love working on it, pulled every nut and bolt from her and went through it front to back so she'll last another 100 years. Painted it a colour I wanted (it gives the next person something to do after I'm dead to make her 100% original lol) I let my kids play around it, I drive it whenever I can, and love to polish her up. Already have a couple paint chips but I get more enjoyment out of driving her to town for the mail and taking my kids for ice cream than putting her on blocks in the garage. But that's my thing, if I fix up something, I enjoy using it.
 
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