Realistic Driving In High Wind

marc hildebrant

marc hildebrant

Well-known member
Group,


Here on Cape Cod, we are often hit with strong winds off the ocean. I drove the Model A on route 6 while the winds were strong, hitting the car broadside. The other cars were O.K. at the speed limit of 55 mph, but when I tried to get up to 45-55 the car was all over the road.


My car has about 1 inch of slop in the steering, and fair shocks. It's a Tudor style.


Am I expecting too much from this car with regard to high speed in strong winds ? Should it drive just like a "modern car" with strong winds ?


Marc
 
Should it drive like a modern car? Hell NO!
There are several things working against that:
  • The profile of the car presents a large area to a side wind so there is a large force pushing you sideways.
  • High and narrow tyres will roll on the rims. That is, they deform just like they do when cornering. What are you tyre pressures like?
  • These (usually) are what you guys cal bias ply tyres. They do not hold the road as well as the radials you will have on the modern car you are comparing with
  • The suspension system is a throwback to the horse and buggy. There was a discussion here recently about Panhard Bars. One of those might help.
  • Steering is not as precise as a modern car and is affected by variations in the road surface.
  • How good are your shock absorbers?
Even with all of these things in as perfect a condition as you can get, a car like the Model A will still be susceptible to cross winds. It's part of the experience!:rolleyes:
Those are just the things that sprang immediately to mind. Other will have more to say, I'm sure.
 
I have to agree with Jim and Synchro. Tudors and Four Door Model A's have bad aerodynamics. We have strong Santa Ana winds of 40 to 60 mph here in So Cal in the fall. The California Highway Patrol always recommends that people with high profile vehicles stay off the roads. Even modern cars are affected.

David Serrano
 
I have driven my '31 Tudor, Elmer since 1964, I agree with Jim Baskin. Has the aerodynamics of a brick, or even a concrete block.
 
"... Noticeably, the boat tailing or the planform curvature has been found to decrease the yaw moment in Howell (1993)
....

... During a gusty event, and for road vehicles, the yaw rate appears to be the key factor for handling as a sudden change of direction might lead to a traffic collision whereas the roll rate is critical for rail vehicle as they may overturn in strong crosswind."

http://kth.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:461388/FULLTEXT01.pdf

A boat tail sports is a safer vehicle.
 
Marc, you're going to have to move inland, and keep your Model A out of the salt air.
My 28 Phaeton acts the same way in high crosswinds.
 
It's SHOCKING when you see BIG RIGS blown on their sides!!! I've even seen them fueling up at a Truck Stop & blown on their sides, along with Diesel Pumps blown over!!!! I've been on 4 lane freeways & suddenly, without warning, I'm in the NEXT LANE!!! (Where's my DEPENDS?)
Bill Scared
 
Is this your car after the side wind ?:D
 

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I sure wouldn't drive my roadster in such conditions. I'd be afraid the wind would take the top off!
 
I lived on the Cape for a couple of years. It was before I had my Model A, but I did have a motorcycle. Those winds could be brutal on a good day.

The worst I remember was hurricane Bob in the early 90s. That was some serious wind on a skinny stretch of land.

Ken
 
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