[Napa Skip]

There are several excellent articles and threads on the subject of what to carry as on-board spares, including the “What to have onboard on a long tour” thread on this forum, some threads in the archives, Bent Wheel Willie’s “On-Board Model “A” Ford Tools, Parts and Supplies” from the Model “A” News and “Bill Brigden’s “What Do I Take With Me On A Road Trip?” from The Restorer.

My own approach to this issue derives from the “if I have it I won’t need it” philosophy, which means (a) I carry a lot of items and (b) I justify it by rationalizing that it will help all the others I tour with since my car will never suffer an on-the-road equipment failure (I can’t believe I said that…).

However, and as others in this thread and the Ford Barn forum have so correctly stated, the best approach to peace-of-mind-while-driving-your-Model-A (which is, imho, the best part of owning a Model A) is to develop some rudimentary mechanical skills and learn as much as you can about how your Model A is constructed and operates. If this is your first Model A and you haven’t done a ‘ground-up’ restoration/rebuild, then some of the construction/operation knowledge is best gained by starting with routine maintenance (principally lubrication and timing/tune-ups). The more you become familiar and at-ease with this routine maintenance, the more likely you will elect (or be forced, as in “Hmmm, THAT doesn’t look right…”) to develop familiarity with more complicated/challenging tasks, all of which will burnish your mechanical skills, rudimentary or not.

For those to whom this appears to be a daunting task, rest assured; it ain’t rocket science. In fact, in many cases, it ain’t even automotive science; a lot of it is just plain common sense. Knowing this, coupled with the fact that these vehicles have weathered (sometimes literally) 81+ years of use, are basic and easy to work on (I’d much rather remove the starter on my 1930 coupe than on my 2011 Ranger, presuming I can ever find it; I know it’s down there somewhere) and have a well-deserved reputation for reliability, you should not fear to venture out – albeit in stages as recommended by Brent in reply #2 – and enjoy your Model A.

Finally (I can hear the sighs of relief) as has been said again and again on this forum, join MARC/MAFCA, read everything you can on Model A’s (there’s a lot out there) and – most importantly – join a local car club, preferably one of the MARC/MAFCA chapters. However, if you find yourself so inclined – as I did when living in Bremerton WA – any antique/classic car club will put you in contact with a wealth of knowledge, others who share your interest in older vehicles, and opportunities to ‘venture forth’ in the company of other Model A’s. Nothing could be finer, not even in North Carolina…

Model A owners belong in their Model A’s; Model A’s belong on the road.