What would you do?

I totally agree with ford1. My insurance does not cover any driver except my wife. Offer to drive them. I used my 59 corvette and 31 Model A sedan. I drove the Model A to the reception for photos then drove my daughter there with the Corvette. That is the way she wanted it.
 
First off, I've never had a problem letting other people drive my cars. Go back and read some of the posts here about "preserving and sharing the history of Model A's". They're insured, what's the big deal?

Simple answer; want to use the A, I drive it. When I got married, my brother in law drove us to the church in a Jaguar Mark V drophead. Part of the deal was to provide security during the service. No problem as there are a couple of outfits that provide traffic escorts that look like MC cops. We hired one that not only watched the car during the service, but escorted us to the reception venue and stopped traffic on the way as he looked like the real thing.
 
I agree with James Rogers. The issue truly is not the car, but is the feelings "(Can you feel my hostility, yet?)" that the writer holds for his in laws. Nothing good can come from the loan of the car.

I have driven my cars in many weddings but there were only two when I gave up the wheel to someone else. My son-in-law and later my son used the '30 Coupe that my wife and I used in 1964 to leave our wedding. In both cases the men came to me, asked for the car, and spent enough time with me in the car to learn how to handle it to my satisfaction. My son later used the car to bring his three children home from their birth hospital. I was more than willing to change a few chipped transmission teeth for those special events.

All others who have asked for a car have gotten a sedan AND a gray haired driver! To get the car, they have to invite my wife and me to the wedding. She loves weddings and I love to eat! Gar Williams
 
James Rogers said:
Well, I thought hard about getting in on this but I will anyway. I don't think the issue here is about the value of the car or whether Wuudie thinks the new son in law can drive the A or any kind of damage that might be incurred. The issue here is he just don't like his in-laws and has a hard time regaling himself to loan them ANYTHING and I see his point. Being the tightwads he seems to portray them as I would just use the broken excuse or an insurance line to get out of it. This would keep him from having to "just say no" and should get him out of the issue.

In an issue like this plays on the owners good graces even though it is not fair to even ask. If you don't like them just make an excuse till the wedding is over. It's your car and you have the right to say no or yes for whatever reason.
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Mike, I think you have squarely hit the nail on the head. On 2nd thought if I did not like someone, or did not have any respect for them, I too would probably sidestep the issue and not do it either. I do however, try to be very accomodating to friends & family with all things that God has bestowed upon me.


:rolleyes: FWIW, this site is very educational for me in many ways. It is amazing the things you can learn about other folks! :eek:

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I (as others have stated) would worry about the car being in someone else's hands. I think that is more natural than the other way around. I have taught others how to drive my A. I can usually judge whether a person is going to be able to drive it or have difficulty. If I suspect difficulty, I keep them in first gear and only go around the block or down the street.

But, with the above being said, when my A is used for such an event as a wedding (example only, could be other event); I am the driver, no ifs-ands-or-buts. I am not so much worried about how the groom would handle things, but more worried about others being in harm’s way. As said in a previous post; the groom and bride are going to be thinking about their wedding, as well as all those invited. You, on the other hand, will be focused on the task at hand.

My pre-driving meeting with the prospective couple is:
1. I drive the car, period.
2. Warn them about oil and grease (doesn’t look good on a white dress or tux). Come up with a plan to prevent such a thing happening. When they are aware of this; they will be helpful in preventing any thing being soiled too.
3. Have them sit and ride in the car prior to the important day, so they know what to expect.
4. Drive the exact route they want; to make sure it is safe for you, the car, and them. Also, time the route so you know when to leave (I had to drive from one town to the next in one case).
5. No matter what the distance; have them provide a backup vehicle (I have every confidence in my Model A…….BUT!
6. And last; tell them inclement weather could cancel the whole drive. That you are not responsible for the weather, and that you have the final say if you will drive in it or not (another good reason for the backup vehicle).

I have never had a couple refuse my requests. By properly explaining each task (and using my best smile and tone); they can easily see this will be a special event for them.

Note-I also agree that the couple do the asking for the use of your Model A. When I am asked by anyone else (including immediate family or future in-laws); I state I will only honor said request from the couple.
 
I have no opinion either way on this particular dilemma.

However, I have a strong attachment to the Ford Barn, and this thread represents the best it has to offer -- humor and down-home wisdom.

The endless technical posts have been invaluable to me, but they can get a little dry without the occasional human touch.

Keep it coming!
 
All, great answers- THANKS for the input.

To sum it all up, yes it is the fear that they lack respect for anything or anyone but themselves. A bump- scratch- dropped ******, they walk away put the blame on me that thier wedding was ruined.

Brent in 10- dude I saw your pics under the Before and After posts, and number 1- I bow down to your ability- and can only wish I was 1/2 as good as you. and 2-if I had your ability/knowledge and worked on a couple of A, I would be open to sharing, but I only have one A that was handed down from my father.

My wife doesn't care either way- she knows them and is behind me on my decision.

Seems to me the best answer/excuse is the insurance one.

I'd like to use the broken down excuse and I'm doing a repair waiting for a parts, it will save face and reduce thier hard feelings. But this excuse eliminates me from driving the wife and kids to the wedding in it.

Again thanks all
 
LOL, after all the responses, the answer seems to be, if the A goes to the wedding you will be driving it, and that is the end of that conversation
 
Laurie's and my get away car was a Toyota station wagon. I didn't ask my dad about his phaeton, though he would have consented. I was too twitterpated to be paying attention to driving even a Toyota. People that aren't invested in the restoration of their cars can't have the slightest idea how to drive and care for one.
 
In combination with the bad coil suggestion.....(if you need one, I will send one to you).....I think it would also be an appropriate time for you and your wife to schedule a vacation somewhere.
 
Wuudie ...................
Even if he didn't wreck it, he might have excited friends, who would "decorate" the "A" Model with white shoe polish, or who knows what ! Stay with your "A".
MIKE :)
 
Chopsaw209 ............................
I noticed your avatar of Dick Kraft's "BUG". Did you know that Dick Kraft drove that car at 120 mph in the 1/4 mile ? It was the first, purpose built, drag car.
A couple years ago, a friend of mine and I built a pretty close replica of the "BUG". We talked to Dick Kraft, quite a few times, during construction. He passed away about a year ago.
MIKE :)
 

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You have to go with your gut feeling, and just from reading this, my gut feeling is that no good would come from the son-in-law driving the Model A, and much harm to property and/or people could come from him driving it.

About 12 years ago I was visiting my relatives in S.D. during the winter. The visit was to be just for the weekend. My aunt lived a mile off the highway, on a gravel road. I was driving my Dodge pickup, and just as I was ready to leave for home my aunt asked if I'd drive to town and pick up a couple bales of straw to put around the outside faucet. This was at 1 in the afternoon and even though I wanted to help my aunt, I didn't have a good feeling about doing this because the weatherman was calling for a blizzard to hit in the afternoon. I lived in S.D. for almost 20 years and am well aware of the dangers of bad weather. Town was only 5 miles away and the roads were completely clear and dry, but I could see the dark clouds about 30 miles to the west. This should have been about a 20 minute trip, but the blizzard came so hard and fast that the roads were completely drifted over by the time of my return from town and I wound up stuck in a snowbank. I had to walk the last mile to my aunt's house. The weather didn't improve for 5 days, so I was stranded there with nothing to do for a week. When the road was finally cleared a week later, the neighbor came with his tractor and pulled me out, but wrecked the front bumper doing so.

So, because I didn't go with my gut feeling, I lost a week's pay, a front bumper, and had a severe case of cabin fever all week. :(

YES, go with your gut feeling!!!!! :)
 
Nobody likes being put on the spot. If you don't feel good about loaning your car out, don't do it. You can simply say no. There will likely be fall out, but you have to weigh that against what could happen and who's ultimately responsible, YOU. The best case scenario is nothing bad happens. What if the driver breaks something, hits someone, etc. It is still your car and you are liable. Despite how you feel about the people, in today's litigious society the unfortunate reality is loaning your car to anyone is a risk. You have to decide if the risk is worth it to you.
 
also remember almost all collectors insurance companys have a restriction of minmum 5 years driving experience for anyone driving your car. i know this wasnt your case but just putting that out there.
 
Wuudie said:
All, great answers- THANKS for the input.

To sum it all up, yes it is the fear that they lack respect for anything or anyone but themselves. A bump- scratch- dropped ******, they walk away put the blame on me that thier wedding was ruined.

My wife doesn't care either way- she knows them and is behind me on my decision.

Seems to me the best answer/excuse is the insurance one.

I'd like to use the broken down excuse and I'm doing a repair waiting for a parts, it will save face and reduce thier hard feelings. But this excuse eliminates me from driving the wife and kids to the wedding in it.
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This is really none of my business but to me making an excuse like insurance, etc. is the same as lying ... unless it is the real reason. You don't have to lie.

I'd just say something like the following and let them take it or leave it:

"Can we use your Model A to drive to the wedding?"

"Well no you can't. I'm not trying to be mean here but I'm kind of particular about my Model A and just don't want to loan it out ... to you or anyone else. Sorry."
 
Here's an idea, if they ask again just tell them if they will loan you 10 grand you will loan them the car. That should cover it and you will pay them back just after the wedding.

Even loans, right?
 
I can relate a story told to me about 20 years ago by a fellow that was trying to sell his very nicely restored 29 CCPU to me. I noticed some significant scratches on the front fenders. I ask him what happened, as the rest of the pickup was perfect. He said he loaned it to a relative for some event (I can't remember what it was) and when he got it back there were scratch marks down both front fenders. He ask the relative what happened. He said his kids or some other kids used the fenders as a slide. The scratches were very noticeable. I ask him if the relative offer to pay for refinishing the fenders. You can probably guess the answer.
 
Most people of the yuppie age today have no clue how to drive a clutch/manual transmission auto.

Plus all the other things that you need to know to drive an A safely.

Ask him how to show a left hand turn...that should do it.

Say no...nicely...or not nicely..but say no.

What can they do....stop mooching off you when there is a family event? Big loss.


Dennis L Oberer
Green Bay WI
 
We celebrated the wedding of our oldest daughter this summer. Being a pretty lucky father-in-law, I got a new son-in-law who already has his own '30 Tudor with a B engine and overdrive. His A was not included in the pomp and circumstance ... but it did figure in the wedding. On the first road trip with our Club, before K and K were married, the Tudor's electronic distributor crapped out. It still had a long dizzy shaft that no one could match to replace it with a spare and no one would even look at the electronic "improvement" to see why it was on the fritz.
K and K and the Tudor came home on "the hook."
Little did my new son-in-law know ...
(We're smiling!)
 

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