[DougVieyra]

To Be, or Not to Be . . . . that is the question.

Lots of threads on this forum illustrate the pluses and minuses of many subjects: Electronic Ignition vs. Stock Ford Distributor; Alternator vs. Stock Generator; Stromberg/Weber Carb. vs. Stock Zenith Carburetor; Hydraulic (and ‘Flat Head Ted”) vs. Stock Mechanical Breaks; 12 Volt vs. Stock 6 Volt electrical system; 16” wheels/tires (from 1935) vs. Stock 19”/21” Wheels; Six-blade plastic Fan vs. Stock Ford Fan; etc. , etc.

Basically, it looks like we all have the same religion (FORD), but read from two different ‘Bibles’. Some prefer to focus on the OLD TESTAMENT (Ford Service Bulletins), while others prefer to focus on the NEW TESTAMENT (Les Andrew’s “Mechanics Handbook Vol. 2”). Ofcourse many of us read both the Old AND the New Testament, but have a strong and heavy leaning towards one over the other, while still maintaining respect and understanding for the other.

And then too, there is yet a THIRD group of us that gives little credence to either the Old or the New Testament, and chooses to (like Frank Sinatra) ‘Do it my way’ – thus the ‘Hot Rod’. Although better fitted to ‘The Jalopy Journal’, many ‘Hot Rod’ fans find their way to the more traditional site of our FORD BARN Forum.

If there is a concern about the future of the Ford Model A as a hobby, it will take the first two groups to appreciate each other as allies and work together to find a ‘common ground’ that will ‘bring in new converts’ to the Model A “religion”. Fortunately, that seems to be the case, and I think it will continue to do so in the future. The ‘Hot Rod-ers’ should have no trouble keeping their turf healthy, as they offer a bit of ‘James Dean’ that will always attract the younger generation.

- Doug Vieyra