The Ford Barn - View Single Post - What is a "reasonable" speed in a Model A for one to get "reasonable" engine life?

WHN · 11-01-2020, 12:04 PM

60 MPH is getting to be like “what oil do you use?”.

My father received a new 1931 Model A Sport Coupe as a college (Northeastern) graduation present.

In 1962 when I got my first Model A, also a 1931 Sport Coupe. He told me two things. Stay under 45 MPH, and stay away from big hills, either up or down.

Ford advertised that the car would do 60 MPH. My Volvo will do 120 MPH. I don’t think that either the Model A or the Volvo are/were expected to be driven at those speeds on a regular basis.

I plan on pasting our 1929 Sport Coupe down to my grandson. It’s 100 percent stock. No jewelry or speed parts. It really likes speeds under 45 MPH. It’s 91 years old, has won many show trophies. It is professional maintained mechanically.

60 MPH? This to me is a high school thing. Mine is bigger and better than yours, remember those days.

Enjoy.

11-01-2020, 12:04 PM	#55
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,824	Re: What is a "reasonable" speed in a Model A for one to get "reasonable" engine life 60 MPH is getting to be like “what oil do you use?”. My father received a new 1931 Model A Sport Coupe as a college (Northeastern) graduation present. In 1962 when I got my first Model A, also a 1931 Sport Coupe. He told me two things. Stay under 45 MPH, and stay away from big hills, either up or down. Ford advertised that the car would do 60 MPH. My Volvo will do 120 MPH. I don’t think that either the Model A or the Volvo are/were expected to be driven at those speeds on a regular basis. I plan on pasting our 1929 Sport Coupe down to my grandson. It’s 100 percent stock. No jewelry or speed parts. It really likes speeds under 45 MPH. It’s 91 years old, has won many show trophies. It is professional maintained mechanically. 60 MPH? This to me is a high school thing. Mine is bigger and better than yours, remember those days. Enjoy.