How do you use your Model A?

I drive my 28 roadster as much as I can. Our daughter is 12 and loves it, so we always try to run errands in it. Two nights ago my wife, daughter, and myself took it to the garden store. Loaded up the rumble seat with two big bags of soil, some tomato cages, and some other random gardening stuff.

Funny thing is I flooded it trying to start it to leave so we pushed it out of the stall and down the parking lot to bump start it….with my daughter laughing and loving it the whole time.

Last winter our daughter and I ran to the store in it to get milk in -20C and snow. Dressed for the weather and had a blast. Even did a couple donuts.

Making memories, that’s what I say.
 
I LOVE driving my Model A! I use mine as much as I can. In 2023 I rebuilt the motor and trans and once I was sure the car was completely sorted I have taken it on longer drives. I have many 40 to 115 mile runs and the best part is seeing everyone’s reaction. Pulling into a gas station is normally a 20 minute event with lots of smiles and questions. I will use it for grocery or hardware store runs when the traffic is not so crazy. The car was built to be driven and I drive mine.
 
My 1931 Coupe, which I have driven 50,000 Miles, is out of service and needs some engine work. However, I drive my Victoria on club events and once in while I take it for a local joy ride.
Once a year, my wife & I drive the Victoria out-of-state to the New England Model A Ford Meet. These meets are usually in Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey, Connecticut, Upstate & Long Island of New York & New Hampshire. I do not take my Model "A" to car shows that have an entrance fee to show my car. I will be driving my Victoria from Long Island to the Finger Lakes Region on the MARC Tour.
 

Attachments

  • Bidonde's 190-A @ 68th NEM Boxboro Ma 193kb.jpg
    Bidonde's 190-A @ 68th NEM Boxboro Ma 193kb.jpg
    64.5 KB · Views: 10
Last edited:
I am into my 80s and my "Bucket List" is to be driving one of my Model A's until I reach 100 years old. Looking ahead, I foresee the time it will be too difficult to work the clutch, so a conversion to an automatic transmission is in my thinking.
 
Since mine is an open cab pickup anytime the weather is nice I tend to drive it I drove it more in southern California since I moved to Missouri there is about a 2 1⁄2 month winter time. Where it's too cold to drive it But I tend to drive it up to 30 miles locally often.
 
Hello, Istill some parts of old route 20 here in north western Pennsylvania that aren’t too busy, and a number of car shows around in summer. Do have to agree with lack of driving skills of modern drivers.
 
IMO, these cars were made to be driven so I do. I have spoken often of the outback trips we do. Just last night we returned from a 1,000 miles rally. In October, we will be driving a 8,500 miles round trip to the National Model A rally and next year, 2,500 miles to a rally in Queensland and return. My Ute is used for carrying what ever I can't fit in the modern car - any time, any where.
That said, I have made them as safe as I can (lights, brakes etc) As has been said, the journey is a destination all of its own.
 
Arnold, Good luck on your adventure. If I lived next door to you I would be joining you. Please post photos. Maybe ask Glenda to post them for you.
 
Synchro909 said:
IMO, these cars were made to be driven so I do. I have spoken often of the outback trips we do. Just last night we returned from a 1,000 miles rally. In October, we will be driving a 8,500 miles round trip to the National Model A rally and next year, 2,500 miles to a rally in Queensland and return. My Ute is used for carrying what ever I can't fit in the modern car - any time, any where.
That said, I have made them as safe as I can (lights, brakes etc) As has been said, the journey is a destination all of its own.
Click to expand...


Are there any hills involved in these epic adventurous ? :D
 
Double check with your insurance carrier as not all insurers will cover you for random driving during the week. One carrier in particular is strict.
 
I am very much in the "own it to drive it" camp - whether that involves a quick run to the local ice cream shop or a multi-day tour to another part of New England...and anything in between. I don't find that drivers around central Massachusetts have gotten nuttier in recent years...most folks are willing to respect a vintage machine and offer some extra slack in return from an Ahooga or two!
 
serocontra said:
which insurance carrier is that?
Click to expand...

It isn't so much the carrier as it is the policy. Regardless of the insurance company, policy will dictate what is and is not covered use. There are exceptions, I will use for this example- Hagerty.

Like some other collector car specialty carriers, Hagerty is a company that specializes in ONLY collector type cars, and does not insure the "daily driver" cars. They are picky and it is written into their policies how the car can be stored and used. Hagerty does allow what they call "pleasure use" driving. Example- Their policies state that you are not covered if you use the car to commute to work, but you are covered if you use it to attend a Model A club meeting. You are covered while driving the car on a club tour or even an overnight tour. You are even covered driving your collector car cross-country to attend the MAFCA national convention! But if you used the collector car to commute to work and it were damaged in the parking lot, they may deny coverage.

My daily-driver cars are insured through Farmers (had USAA prior to that) and although they will gladly also insure the Model As, doing so through Farmers would cost nearly 4x as much, and the coverage is not "guaranteed value" like it is through the specialty carriers. Thankfully, my insurance agent is authorized to represent both companies, so it is still basically "one stop shopping" in my case.
 
everywhere and anywhere around town if the weather is decent. Its the go to all summer long. groceries, going to the beach, ice cream, etc .Just remember, everything is going to take longer! People have many questions, and as ambassadors for the model a community, its up to us to keep it going!!
 
Lots of great responses on this thread. My father drove a 30 sedan as a daily in the 60's-70's. I went everywhere as a kid in that car. I still drive the sedan as much as I can today but not often enough. My 5 day work week moves fast but I really enjoy a evening ride to decompress from the day. My 2 cents..... Drive them while you can and don't let them sit in the garage to collect dust.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top