Model A CRASH??

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-Tim
 
One of the worst areas of Model A safety is that the steering column is attached to the gas tank in most models. If that wasn't bad enough, the fuel line is exposed on the other side of the tank. Makes a pinto look good.
 
My dad bought a 6 cyl '59 Chevy Bel Air. I remember it distinctly as possibly the worst driving vehicle I ever drove. Poor directional stability, slow mushy steering, rolled like a canoe in turns, uncomfortable seats, and amazingly poor build quality and paint. Very tiring to drive (I made one longish trip in it). So, I for one, didn't mind seeing the one in the movie head for the crusher.

Remember that some of the old cars were crap when they were new and now they are really old crap. :p

John
 
Here's a European tudor that appears to be getting towed by a AA wrecker.
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The motometer survived!
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Looks like it had a motometer but the wings are still there.
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Quail survived...
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Wondering if the driver was distracted by his dancing lady radiator ornament...note the Sport Coupe in the background...
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-Tim
 
Here is a little newer photo August 10 1992 to be exact
 

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Tom Wesenberg said:
Now, you can see why people should take the train, instead of driving.:D

Actually, it would sure be nice if the trains offered car ferry service, so I could load my Model A on the train for a long distance haul, then drive it when I arrive. The best of two worlds.:D:)
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Been there, done that. Put my car on the train and flew the 2,500 miles, very relaxing. But that was in 1968, before we all got stupid.
 
I wonder what a wrecked Model "A" totaled out at in the 1930s, especially in the later '30s when the cars were probably declining rapidly in value due to their obsolescence......
 
JBohannon said:
I believe the most dangerous time for American automobiles would be the late 50's and early 60's. These cars had a lot of power and speed and the last thing on the mfr's mind was safety. It is hard to believe now but we did not even have seat belts. The dashes and instruments in these cars could be extremly dangerous to passengers. Anybody agree or disagree.
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I agree. Driving my 57 Chev does funny things to my feeling of well being.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
Now, you can see why people should take the train, instead of driving.:D

Actually, it would sure be nice if the trains offered car ferry service, so I could load my Model A on the train for a long distance haul, then drive it when I arrive. The best of two worlds.:D:)
Click to expand...

Back in 1968 I loaded my Austin Mini in Edmonton, AB and picked it up in Toronto three days later. The only way to go in early January.
 
I believe that the big difference between before 1950 and nowadays in much of Europe is simply traffic density. Perhaps that is not something that affects too many Americans. I bought my Model A to enjoy the same roads that are ideal for my motorcycle, the traffic free, open country lanes that crisis cross France. I have no interest in driving it on fast roads surrounded by modern traffic. Luckily for me I have that choice. In terms of safety I consider the Model A to have far more in common with my motorcycle than either of my modern, high performance German cars. On the motorcycle I ride quite defensively, every time I set out on it I am aware that I am vulnerable; vulnerable in any incident involving another road user or animal; vulnerable in terms of tyre grip on changing road surfaces; vulnerable because my road speed might be misunderstood by other road users. As a result of this vulnerability I ride with 100% concentration, I take responsibility for my safety far beyond that required by the law. The reward is well worth the input, and my trips out on the bike usually bring a smile to my face. That smile is harder to find on a busy road surrounded by heavy lorries and drivers who are wafting along in their automatic, cruise controlled cars listening to their chosen music in armchair comfort, who even if they are not talking on the phone, are not really focussed on their driving. I'm hoping that the Model A will give me the same levels of satisfaction as the motorcycle on the quiet country roads that I will use it on. I will also be aware that, like on the motorcycle, any accident either with another vehicle or simply by running off the road is likely to be painful for both me and the car.
 
For the record, in 1950 as a 2 year old, I was sleeping in the back seat of a Tudor 'A' unknown year. A car ran a stop sign on a South Jersey road. My mother kissed the windshield and her seat flipped forward. I slid beneath the seat but was saved from her flopping back on top of me by a crate of eggs.
To this day I still like eggs.
 
Is it my imagination or do a lot of these photos have cars that have plate glass for a windshield? It was supposed to be safety glass but it seems to break like plate. Or is it the way they manufactured it?

Mike
 
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