It’s getting harder to drive my A

[Darrell Kinnan]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

I'm 86, have arthritis in my back and shoulder, but with exercise I get relief. I'm looking forward to another yr driving around the lakes near us in northwest lower Michigan. No long trips however.

 

[JayJay]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Thanks guys. It really is pretty comfy. The front seat is moved back 3" for more leg room in the front (I'm 6'2"). Still plenty on room in the back.

Y-B: was that an interior kit or did you have that custom?

JayJay

 

[Synchro909]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Ray, a small group of us did a 120 mile deal today and it can be a killer. Both my wife and I complain about the seats in the 29 Tudor. They're horrible! I am just coming on 70 and I can tell you that I really noticed that both my wife and I have slowed down in the last few years. Damn!

The front seats Henry put in Tudors are pretty terrible especially for the passenger but with a little creativity when covering them, they can be made acceptable. In my Tudor, I have replaced the originals with Morris Minor seats. We sit IN those, not ON them like the Ford ones. Seats from a small more modern car would also be an option but would not look right. I covered the Morris seats with the same fabric as the rest of the car and VERY few people notice.

 

[Mister Moose]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

In my Tudor, I have replaced the originals with Morris Minor seats. We sit IN those, not ON them like the Ford ones... I covered the Morris seats with the same fabric as the rest of the car and VERY few people notice.

Could you take a few photos and show us?

 

[Steve Plucker]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Ray, a small group of us did a 120 mile deal today and it can be a killer. Both my wife and I complain about the seats in the 29 Tudor. They're horrible! I am just coming on 70 and I can tell you that I really noticed that both my wife and I have slowed down in the last few years. Damn!

Gee Bill...It looked like you and everyone else was just full of spunk and pis and vinegar!

It was great to see some of you up here in Clyde today!

Pluck

 

[Bill G]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Gee Bill...It looked like you and everyone else was just full of spunk and pis and vinegar!

It was great to see some of you up here in Clyde today!

Pluck

We enjoyed stopping by and seeing you, Jeannie, Noah, and your progress on the 28 PU chassis! Great work on that red steering wheel refurb.

As to spunk and vinegar, I am sure that Model A seats were considered comfy back "in the day", but on the other hand a 70-year old would have either been in the grave or have had one foot in.

 

[Pete]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Swap those stock seats out for some Honda, ect small 21” wide buckets. It’s SOooo much more comfortable.

80's Honda Prelude. Many colors including charcoal, 6 way mechanical adjustable.
The ONLY way to fly.
The 2 front mounts match the model A ones. Some fab required for the rear ones.

 

[Pete]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Sometimes my thumb hurts when I pick up a beer. Oh, moan, groan, what shall I do.
Well one thing I am going to do is sell my model A and concentrate on my race car. Keeping up 2 cars cuts into party time.

I feel for you young kids that have "hurts" but Tylenol and delegating back bending jobs will keep you going.

 

[Y-Blockhead]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Y-B: was that an interior kit or did you have that custom?

JayJay

LaBaron Bonney from sometime ago. With extra stuffing. It is holding up well.

 

[dr.j]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Time is no friend. Pam and I were talking yesterday that sometime down the road one of the cars will have to go; the A or the Healey. I think the AH will be the first to go when the time comes.

 

[Jeff/Illinois]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

My 88 year old father-in-law pulled the motor on his '30 Coupe this winter, in an unheated garage, by himself, and took it to a machine shop to have it prepped.

He has rebuilt it and is putting it back in the car. I asked if he needed a hand and said 'naw, thanks, but I'm fine I enjoy working on the car.'

You'd never know he was 88 years old. He is a retired pipe fitter, and was a Navy SeaBee. He is as tough as nails, and was also a champion boxer, middle weight, when he was in the US Navy. Still farms his farm, just keeps going. If he hurts you'd never know it because he never complains or says anything along that line. He is not on any medicine. Staying away from doctors is probably one reason he is so healthy.

His dad was the same way far into his 90's. One day that guy was outside working and decided to take a nap because he was tired. He laid down and never got back up. What a way to end life's ride

 

[Jeff/Illinois]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

I’m 6’3” and weigh 185#, and to get in and out of my ‘28 rpu i had to practicallly get horizonal across the seat. I sold that truck, and 25 yr’s later I bought a ‘30 closed cab pickup. I had to do the same thing with that.

People were smaller 90 years ago.

Ray you're just a little fella I've got 55 pounds and three inches on you.

And yes, a '28 Roadster PU, forget it! A good friend, WWII vet, died a number of years ago and he had one of those. The family asked me to drive it to the cemetery behind the hearse in honor of him. I was honored to do that and readily accepted.

MAN what a squeeze getting in that Model A. It was a nightmare, but somehow I did it. As much as I liked Bill's Roadster PU I learned that day 'I never want one of THESE things'!!!!

 

[700rpm]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Ray you're just a little fella I've got 55 pounds and three inches on you.

And yes, a '28 Roadster PU, forget it! A good friend, WWII vet, died a number of years ago and he had one of those. The family asked me to drive it to the cemetery behind the hearse in honor of him. I was honored to do that and readily accepted.

MAN what a squeeze getting in that Model A. It was a nightmare, but somehow I did it. As much as I liked Bill's Roadster PU I learned that day 'I never want one of THESE things'!!!!

Jeff, operating the pedals and shifting must have been an exercise in contortion!

 

[Ed in Maine]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

This post is about me just yesterday. I am 78 and drove 75 miles with our club in my Victoria. I made a big mistake not getting radial tires, the car just weaves back in forth in the imperfections on the pavement in spite of a restored steering gear box. The traffic is heavier now and people are driving faster. They see a guy in white hair and the back of a Model A Ford and all they think about is "how fast can I get around this guy!" I try to drive 45-50 mph but you are always looking in the rear view mirror, looking left and right trying to anticipate a problem. Darn it, this is my hobby and I have loved Model As since the first one in 1964. I won't give it up until I can't drive any more. Even then I probably would not sell the car. I would just get some one to take me out once in a while. Ed

 

[Jeff/Illinois]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Jeff, operating the pedals and shifting must have been an exercise in contortion!

True!! And coming to a stop I have to pop the Roadster into neutral to have room to mover my right leg to start out shifting again. It has become habit, I do it without really thinking about it. I also sit at a slight angle as much as I can.

I never had to do that in the '29 Tudor. Maybe because the seats weren't as firm as the Roadster you could roll around on them.

 

[Pdgx]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Old age ain't what is used to be. Who said that!

I just thought it’d take longer.

 

[old31]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Jim, lets round it off and call you 84!

Kawa, I used to love riding dirt bikes. i was in my teens, 20's and 30's. I cant imagine riding in my 70's, no way.

We use to love riding in the winter, we would stud our tires and run the rivers, lakes and powerlines.

 

[Synchro909]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Could you take a few photos and show us?

I'll head out to the garage now - stay tuned.

 

[Synchro909]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

A couple of pictures of the seats in the Tudor and another couple of the (modified) seat in the '30 CCPU. I sit a bit lower in this seat so I'm not stooped all the time to drive.

 

[Dougs 28]

Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Our 28 tudor has bucket seats out of a Toyota that are really comfortable, along with the matching armrests that have power windows we installed both front and rear. Upgrade for sure! A little extra modern comfort.