Life Without a Model A Ford

R

RcT

Senior Member
I recently sold my '29 Special Coupe. It is the first time since 1961 that I have sold a Model A without having another in the wings. A whole bunch of health issues have come up in the past couple of years and the latest is the ongoing degradation of my eyesight.
I thought a lot about this before making my move, but I weighed the enjoyment against the constant worries, the possible dangers I was posing for my loved ones and the fact that the intensity it takes to drive an 83 year old car in today's traffic was just too much for this old guy. The ongoing maintennce became an obligation and finally I sold the Ford to someone who seemed to genuinely care about its future, so all is well.
I actually feel a load being lifted from me. No more for me... it is now someone else's turn to have this car.
The things I thought I would miss are not really anything all that important to me; there is life after a Model A Ford.

I am in no way being critical of the hobby or the car... It was just time to do it and now someone else has the pride of ownership. You have all been a great help to me in the past and I wish you all good health and many happy safe miles. I will still be checking in once in a while as long as the eyes can do it.

Thank you all,

Richard
 
Sounds like you made the right decision for yourself and are in a good place with it, I'm sure it was a tough decision to make. As you stated when you get a hankering for an A they are only a few keystrokes away.....
 
I too sold my Lady she is a late 31 tudor sedan deluxe. Lost my storage and could not see it being outside in Long Island NY weather. It has always been garaged. I will miss her. :(
 
I am also selling off some of my stuff. I cant keep up with all the care, and the insurance, registration and taxes are a strain. I am keeping the tudor, since my kids came home from being born in that car almost 40 years ago, but some of the other stuff is going.
 
Richard, good luck with your future life without your A. As Steve mentioned, it sounds like you made the correct design. I know when I drive my A's, I get a little concerned about all the traffic and just trying to hang on to an 80 + year old car. I hope I can continue for a few more years but I am getting up there in years also.

Maybe one way to stay somewhat connected with A's is to get you a Hubley car and participate in some of the Hubley races. Our Model A club had their annual race in April. My car got beat out on the first race running against my wife's car. But we have our regional MAFCA meeting in Boise this month. So I hope to get a rematch with her car and maybe get to race it more than once.

Good luck with your new life and still have some fun!
 
Fred, the Hubley thing sounds like a great idea for anyone between A's or someone such as Richard. I had forgotten about the hubley races.
 
I hope you will stay involved with the Barn. You have experience and knowledge that you can continue to share, and you have always contributed thoughtful comments.

I suppose a day like yours will sometime arrive for me, but's hard to imagine; I've had my first "A" for 52 years, since 1961 when I was 16. It owns me as much as I own it! There are an awful lot of good memories tied to that car.
 
Richard,

Tough decision to make. Please stay involved with the hobby and FordBarn. Your experience and insight still is a contribution to those of us who are seniors recently starting on this hobby.

Best wishes,
Bud
 
RcT, Buddy,
Know the emotions you must be going through. When I had to sell Minerva, it was tough. I don't regret it as she saved my life as a distraction while taking care of Pat and the rides together before her dementia got too bad. I feel good about all the work & $$$ I put into her to prepare her for the next owner's enjoyment. She now resides in Hagensborg B.C, chasing BEARS!! Bill W.
 
As with the others I know this must have been tough on you. I hope you still have chances to at least sit in the passenger seat (it feels real different I can tell you) and visit here often to tell others what you have learned through the years of ownership. Only the best of everything to you.

Mike
 
Thanks to all of you for your comments, they mean a lot to me. I have just been lurking around for the last lonth or so without having much to say, but those crash pictures seems to really convince me the right decision was made... for the safety of everyone. I can remeber not too long ago when my dad voluntarily gave his car keys to me. He knew his time had come and he set a good example. I wish this on no one, but should the thought ever come to you, be smart enough to make the right call. The bright side to all of this is, rather than have the car just sitting in moth balls, someone else is enjoying it.
 
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