Driving an antique car in modern traffic video.
 

Astra-Werke, owner of a 1930 Coupe in Germany recently produced this video. Shows his technique of dealing with modern urban traffic. This is a follow up to the recent thread Dealing with modern traffic which I can't seem to find.


https://youtu.be/G4ouqY7LrUw?si=rNG9pxB29zn33JVB

Re: Driving an antique car in modern traffic video.
 

I also looked for that thread and couldn't find it. I think it has been taken down for some reason.
A few years ago, we were in Beijing, China. At first take, the traffic was chaotic and without rules. It didn't take me long to work out that one toot on the horn meant something, Two quick toots, something else and that way, drivers communicated with each other without aggression. It worked very well.

Re: Driving an antique car in modern traffic video.
 

Wow and blinded by the sun to boot!

Re: Driving an antique car in modern traffic video.
 

First thing that I noticed is the lack of potholes.
Joe B in Michigan

Re: Driving an antique car in modern traffic video.
 

On another note about the vid...background 'oldies' music...1st-Rebel Rouser; Dwayne Eddy, 2nd-Rumble; Link Wray, 3rd-?, 4th-ShhBoom; (forgot)

Can anyone complete the list?

Craig

Re: Driving an antique car in modern traffic video.
 

Regarding the video: I would be inclined to stay in the right hand lane even it meant going slower. Changing lanes can lead to accidents. When driving, ask yourself "what is the safest way to handle this situation."

Re: Driving an antique car in modern traffic video.
 

Does Werner lurk on the Ford Barn? If so, I enjoyed his video, and it was ike driving in many towns in the USA. The camera makes the drive more dramatic than it actually was. I hope that Werner's Coupe has turn signals.

Not once did I hear the gears grind, and Werner's Coupe is less nosier than most Model A's.
AzBob, thanks for posting Werner's video.

Re: Driving an antique car in modern traffic video.
 

The left lane is safer for a car with a longer stopping distance because you don't have people entering from or exiting to side roads in front of you.

Re: Driving an antique car in modern traffic video.
 

I agree. I thought the same thing ...and also I felt like the pacing distance was a little too aggressive for my liking considering there really was no place to maneuver to in case of sudden braking.

Re: Driving an antique car in modern traffic video.
 

These are all good points. I'd like to add that I have confidence in my brakes. Cast iron drums, and floaters. No more than my car weighs, I can lock the wheels if I want to.

Re: Driving an antique car in modern traffic video.
 

You ain't stoppin if the wheels are locked up. I trust my brakes too, but those skinny little tires only have so much traction

Re: Driving an antique car in modern traffic video.
 

Gene, IMHO the biggest thing that many Model-A hobbyists struggle with is reaction time. Ergonomically speaking, a Model-A is not that 'friendly' when it comes to quickly moving your foot from the accelerator pedal over the the brake pedal when something quickly goes wrong. Many of us likely have more confidence once the brakes are applied vs. confidence in our reaction time skills! :eek: :o

Re: Driving an antique car in modern traffic video.
 

The reaction time can be considerably improved by using your left foot for braking and clutching. Keep it just touching or just off the brake pedal. If you have to slam on the brakes for an emergency situation it does not matter if the engine stalls. Race drivers (sports cars with manual transmissions) will use this trick and move the left foot to the clutch when needed.

For modern cars with automatic transmissions the left foot on the brake works better because you don't have to worry about stalling the engine. Works best in traffic or situations where cars are entering or leaving the road ahead of you. For the case where there is no traffic you can take your left foot from just off the brake pedal to give it a rest. It gets tiring holding it just off the brake pedal.