How Old Is Too Old?

David -
Is your roadster the famous one built by Russell J. Gerritts of Chicago? If so, it received a nice two-picture layout with captions in Floyd Clymer's 1960 "Model A Ford Album". That car served as inspiration for a lot of young guys like me starting out in Model A's in the 1960's and probably later. I wrote a follow-up article about that picture spread in a 1990's "Restorer" issue. If yours is the same car (and other than the addition white wall tires, it appears to be the same one), let me know and I'll post the article.
Marshall
 
Marshall, I bought it from Allan Funt of Candid Camera fame. The man I delt with, Paul Sund told me it came out from Chicago on an open transport in the dead of winter with no type of covering over it except other cars on the transport rig. It was delivered to him covered in snow and ice residue and a liberal layer of mud. Funt asked him to clean it up and install hydraulic brakes on it. Who restored it was not told to me. I would still like to see what you have. Another "David" is the proud owner now and I will make sure he gets whatever you send. Thank you. He is in our local club and a bit younger than I so it went to a good home. Still drives nicely and had eye appeal. I gave him the 19 inch set of tires and rimes that came to me with the sale. Also whitewalls.
 
I mean no disrespect at all to those of you Gents in your 80s and 90s who still actively drive and maintain your "A"s. My concern if you are in daily traffic is to have the quick reflexes to steer and stop your cars as like any other modern vehicle.

I'm 53 and have had several close calls where some idiot pulls out in front last minute and I need to safely swerve out of the way (avoiding on-coming traffic) or slow down and not worry about the guy behind me who is tailgating too close. My eyes never stop moving from side-to-side, rear view mirror and 2 miles up ahead. Not to mention bicyclists and joggers who think they can be in the auto lanes and have their own right-of-way.

I guess anything can happen anytime, just please be safe out there !!!!
 
al, people on cell phones for me is far more concerning................


older guys in model As are far more conscientious and Ill take my chances on them any day of the week.


of course, just getting up in the morning can take you out, if you simply fall down
 
I am only 88 but I still drive my A's but not the 23 TT dumptruck but then I cannot
put it on the roads here any way with a topspeed of 17 MPH.
 
Whoops! I got my generation wrong. So if I was born in 1942, then I am of the "Silent Generation."
 

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I live on Long Island which is the "Bedroom of New York City," so you can imagine traffic on The Island is abundant. When driving my Model A's, I drive very defensively, leaving lots of room for the modern vehicles to pull in front of me. I expect the moderns to pull in front of me! I also do not drive so slow as to holdup traffic! My Model A's are equipped for modern traffic with 2 taillights, bright LED stop lights, turn signals, Halogen headlights, hi-compression cylinder heads, cast iron brake drums, extra mirrors and Flathead Ted's brake floaters.
 
Marshall - I have no way of knowing whether my roadster is the one you describe. I only know what I was told by the prior owner but have no documentation. Please post your article and I will see if the details are consistent.
 
I am 84 still enjoy. driving my 1914 Cadillac on Horseless carriage tours and to the parts store sometimes twice a week.Finishing. restoration of my 30 Roadsterpickup and looking forward to driving it many smiles
 
Well, rats!!! 'Sorry, David. I dug out the Floyd Clymer booklets in which that car appeared and to my dismay, I now see that the roadster was a 1931, not 1930 like yours. In my own defense, it's been at least 10-15 years since I looked through those Clymer's booklets and I had simply remembered the wrong year. Your photo and the fact that the car is an older restoration from Chicago tripped my memory bank Rollodex into believing this was the famous Russell J. Gerritts roadster. 'Sorry 'bout 'dat!
Marshall
 
Marshall - No problem. I am curious because there is some room for doubt as to whether the Wretched Roadster is a 1930 or 1931 because I haven’t pulled the body to look for the chassis number. The 1957-59 restoration may have included a mixture of 1930 and ‘31 parts.
According to the prior owner, it was in his family since 1957 and restored by his father in Pittsburgh, PA. (Which at the time was abbreviated Penna.)
Potentially a road-going Ship of Theseus, if you will.
 
I live on Long Island....




not a more wretched place to drive! have never understood how anyone does it.
easier to just shoot one's self! LOL
 
I'm nearly 89 but I still drive my T's, A's and early V8's. All are stock with no mods to make them easy to drive. They are kept in a rural area and only driven on back country roads. I had my left hip replaced some years ago and my doctor wants to replace both knees but I have declined that. I sold my early '28 OCPU a few months ago only because I was having a lot of trouble getting in and out of it and operating the clutch and brake pedals.
 
I think driving with more caution is part of the wisdom that comes with age. I no longer drive like I did as a teenager.
 
WOW!

So many inspirational stories in this thread & I commend everyone who is up in years that still loves our hobby & gets out there with their cars!

I have a ways to go being only 61. I drive the cruisers easy & slow, but the ones that were meant to go fast.....I still "Beat The Snot Out Of Them" & still have the need for speed & the adrenaline rush that comes with it.

I urge all of you (as mentioned previously) regardless of your age to eat healthy, exercise! Don't become a couch potato! Classic Cars & Pets will cause you to live longer!

God Bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ar-transport-hauling-open-or-enclosed.614419/
 
OK. I'm not the oldest driver but I might be the oldest women driver? I still work on my cars and even drive to Events and in Parades. I've won the Club Chicken Twice and am hoping to give it away before the season is over. I'm 81 and still above the grass.


Barb Birt
 
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