Hit 5000 miles
 

Anyone following my post knows I bought my A toward the end of last year. Towed it home, did all the things I thought were needed to put it on the road, drove it for 2 weeks, then sold my normal daily, just to make sure I wouldn't be tempted to not drive it on bad weather days. Thanks to all the barners, I have been able to use this car everyday, and just clicked over 5000 miles. There was a few times it gave out on me, but I was able to get it running, and it always got me home. Having said all that, and again thanks for all the help everyone, I will say this has been a very rewarding experience, and I am looking forward to continuing to use this as my daily. I feel like I finally have it well sorted out, and it seems to run better everyday. Again thanks all, your'e help and guidance has been of a great value to me.

Re: Hit 5000 miles
 

Congrats! Now that you've "been there done that" what things would you recommend:

Leaving it 100% stock?

EVR on generator?

Switching to alternator?

switching to 12V?

Better headlights?

LED taillights?

Mitchel overdrive?

Electronic Ign?

I know you may or may not have some of those things but do you wish you did?

Lets say a new guy to model A's comes to you and asks what he can do to make his Model A a daily driver - what advice would you give him?

Re: Hit 5000 miles
 

Since I drive a lot at night, I did put an alt, and turn signals on her. Other than that it is stock. I am currently thinking of getting an EVR for the generator and putting it back on.

Re: Hit 5000 miles
 

Ahh cool!

Do you have the vacuum operated wipers or electric? Or just rainx every week?

I dont mean to sound like im hounding you - just thought it would be helpful to newcomers and all of us knowing what is a must vs a want or what works and whats not really needed.

Re: Hit 5000 miles
 

Re: Hit 5000 miles
 

I put 4 to 5 hundred miles a month on Minerva, for several YEARS, NEVER got towed or had a FLAT!
Bill Traveler

Re: Hit 5000 miles
 

I have electric wiper that works great, but the RainX does fine so I don't have to use them unless it is really bad.

Re: Hit 5000 miles
 

Re: Hit 5000 miles
 

may not be able to do that here in New Brunswick, Canada..........need one hellofa heater! :)

Re: Hit 5000 miles
 

If you are brave enough to run a gas burning furness in you car, install a Southwind heater and you will be toasty warm! I had one in my 36 four door. It got so warm I had to run with a window open. Good thing too, as it counter acted the carbon monoxide!

Re: Hit 5000 miles
 

Congrats on the milestone! See you Saturday!

Re: Hit 5000 miles
 

Those heaters were outlawed in the early 1960 era due to fire deaths. Please don't recommend them. Wayne

Re: Hit 5000 miles
 

Had one in a '41 Ford Convertible & it was toasty warm, even in the back seat:D
Bill W.

Re: Hit 5000 miles
 

Congratulations on your milestone. It sounds like you have a good reliable car. I've put 18,000 miles on mine over the last two years. During the non-winter months it is my daily driver. We also have a rather active club here in Alaska. Keep us posted and happy motoring.

Re: Hit 5000 miles
 

Thanks for all the kind words, and I am looking forward to many years of driving this car daily, just as it was intended when it was built. With the roads, fuel and all being better now than it was back then, I feel the car should hold up fine. And the only thing as enjoyable as driving it is maintaining it.

Re: Hit 5000 miles
 

I personally don't think any car ever built was intended to last 85 plus years. I also don't think it has the safety features of modern day cars. I think you are risking your life and that of your passengers and other people on the road to use it as an every day driver. Modern day cars have better lights, wipers, air bags, seat belts, suspension, frame, defrost system, steering and braking systems. Good luck as you may well need it. Wayne