Motor Meter or Quail

Canton_Model_A's

Canton_Model_A's

Senior Member
Guys/Gals:
It may have been mentioned before but what did the Model A roll off the line with. The Quail or the Motor Meter (with or w/o the wreath).

Want to get what is accurate for mine.

Thanks!
 
Don't. Took my car to the hardware store(s) a few years back, and someone tried to muscle my moto-meter off, and all they did was break the neck of my radiator. The lady at Snyders told me she hears that a lot. She said I think they don't realize they are locked on when they attempt to steal the radiator cap. Mine has been on the workbench ever since.
 
The Quail and Moto-Meter were both Ford authorized accessories sold by Ford dealers. My '31 roadster came with an original "Ford" Moto-Meter and locking cap. Both were made of pot-metal. The Moto-Meter is still on the car and works. I did have to replace the locking cap with a repo one. The pic shows an NOS Ford Moto-Meter that I ran for a while with a 1935 French flying lady hood ornament. The NOS Moto-Meter and Lady are back in the display cabinet now. I believe the original Moto-Meters are more accurate then the repop ones.:)


Bob-A:D


"Skirts are for Women not Car Fenders"
 

Attachments

  • 095.jpg
    095.jpg
    78.7 KB · Views: 64
Neither the Motor Meter or the Thermo-Quail are effective in warning you of an imminent over heat. Both let you know when the over heating is occurring. So these two accessories are cosmetic in my opinion. I suggest you opt for a temperature gauge if you do not already have one.
 
Bob Bidonde is correct, if you want to protect your if engine then certainly get an in cabin temp gauge .
 
ronn said:
Dont.

pretty sad what this country has become............!
Click to expand...

Apparently this country hasn't just become this way since they made locking radiator caps in 1930. But I agree with what you are saying.

I use a standard original type S/S radiator cap, mainly because the Vintique Repo junk doesn't seal and the pot metal corrodes.
 
Last edited:
Bob Bidonde said:
Neither the Motor Meter or the Thermo-Quail are effective in warning you of an imminent over heat. Both let you know when the over heating is occurring. So these two accessories are cosmetic in my opinion. I suggest you opt for a temperature gauge if you do not already have one.
Click to expand...

From a function perspective you are correct, since I have had both. The gauge is very handy. The ornaments doo look cool though.
 
They will even steal your regular radiator cap.

Doesn’t matter where you live. If you leave your car in a parking lot, your asking for trouble.
 
I agree with WHN, society has gone to getting things on the cheap. A.K.A. 5-Finger Discount.

When not being driven, 'Darla' sits in a storage unit double locked. Away from prying eyes, and quick fingers.
 
I have thought of that. I have one my painter painted for me when he painted my car. A whole lot less attractive, but I get your point.

Kind of a low-life...besides what are they gonna do with a part off an almost 100 year old car..... Every time I think about what happened to my car I think of that scene in the movie Casino when they caught those two guys cheating.
 
Canton_Model_A's said:
I ended up getting just the normal Quail as for looks, I don't drive her all that much so not worried about overheat.
Click to expand...

All it takes is one time. Plus you know if it isn't getting hot enough. If it's under 65f outside mine won't get much above 120f. I have two different sized cardboard blockoff plates I painted black and keep in the car
 
WHN said:
They will even steal your regular radiator cap.

Doesn’t matter where you live. If you leave your car in a parking lot, your asking for trouble.
Click to expand...


My Dad (now deceased 1915-2004) told me once. He started smoking when he was 11 (1926) and use to steal hood ornaments then pawn them off to pay for the cigarettes! He also did some boot-legging in the thirties. He eventually got a legit job with the government. Go figure.....:eek:


Bob-A:D


"Skirts are for Women not car Fenders"
 
Some years/decades ago my wife and I were on an annual Texas T Party tour in Fredericksburg Texas. One night every T at the host hotel that had a Moto-meter type radiator cap lost it. We were lucky because our T was parked in a nearby RV park next to our motorhome and trailer.
 
Last edited:
If you're worried about people messing with your car, get an old continuous buzz cow trainer fencer. The battery type. Put a drag wire under the car for a ground and connect the hot side to the frame. You'll want an accessible switch to turn in on/off. Might make someone mad enough to really wreck it though. Best to park where you can keep an eye on the car, or live and drive in an area where you don’t have to worry about that kind of thing.
 
I have 4 Model As ranging from a VERY nicely restored one to what looks like a barn find repaired but never restored. It is the one that looks neaten up and a real bomb that I like driving the best. It is extremely reliable and goes pretty darned well. I like watching the looks on faces. Nothing has ever gone missing from it (Or any of my others now that I think about it.)
 
In all the years (since 1994) that was the only time my A was messed with.
Some people are just trash.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top