Model A drivability question

[Bob from Northport]

Does anyone know of a way that a Model A can be set up for handicap usage, i.e. poor leg strength??

Thanks!!

Bob

[Mike V. Florida]

Easy, Automatic tranny.

http://www.transmissionadapters.com/Model%20A.htm

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

"EASY"???????????????????????? AND, whut about STOPPIN'?????????????????????? AND, whut about jist climin' up into the car????????????????" AND, jist tryin' to git out uf the car????????????????? (Ol' Bill knows how HARD it is!) Buster T.

He said poor leg strength, not no leg strength.

If he can't even get into/out of the car, then maybe he should not be driving it.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

He said poor leg strength, not no leg strength.

Mike, Dog here, I KNOW he sed "POOR LEG STRENGHTH", I kin READ! You have to be "ALMOST" an "ATHLETE" to drive a Model A SAFELY! Thu KEY wurd is SAFELY!! Buster T.

[dave in australia]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Mike, Dog here, I KNOW he sed "POOR LEG STRENGHTH", I kin READ! You have to be "ALMOST" an "ATHLETE" to drive a Model A SAFELY! Thu KEY wurd is SAFELY!! Buster T.

Yep, got to stop em as well.

[Mike V. Florida]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by dave in australia

Yep, got to stop em as well.

Properly restored brakes will take care of that.

[dave in australia]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

Properly restored brakes will take care of that.

I was going along the line that if you have poor leg strength and have trouble operating a properly restored clutch system, which should be no heavier than a properly restored brake system, then the brakes will be difficult to operate as well.
There was a chap here in Victoria that fitted an auto trans to his A. He said he had trouble finding a torque converter that would give enough drive at the lower end of the A's RPM range. He felt that it needed to be revved a lot during takeoff to gain momentum. He said that a std speed converter acted like a high stall in a modern car. His words, not mine. All my A's are std manuals.
If the poor person is an amputee, then that's a different story.

[Patrick L.]

Maybe a V8 clutch and a hydraulic brake system with a booster.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

Maybe a V8 clutch and a hydraulic brake system with a booster.

In 1963, I added a small Bendix Hydro-Vac brake booster to the hydraulic clutch system on a Jaguar XKE, for a guy that had a weak left leg. Those clutches were VERY STIFF & even had a short clutch pedal, that made it even more difficult to push!
Bill W.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Use the clutch from a 1949 Chevy pickup. I'm sure it fits a lot of GM cars, but my friend's 49 pickup had the nicest softest clutch I've driven.

No need for hydraulic brakes, you can add a vacuum booster to mechanical brakes also.

[modelAtony]

Originally Posted by Bob from Northport

Does anyone know of a way that a Model A can be set up for handicap usage, i.e. poor leg strength??

Thanks!!

Bob

Restorer magazine may/june 2012. Page 12 titled CHALLENGES & obstacles by George Pope, Visalia, CA . A friend of author has a 29 Tudor set up for rear entrance, hydraulic chair lift and has been fitted for his wheel chair to replace seat. and has controls for him to drive . I have also seen articles with other like A's set up for handi cap . Have fun modelAtony tony white Lafayette, LA

[Benson]

Here are adapters for GM transmissions like 350 THM. Might fit Holden and other GM derivatives.

Torque converter mods are readily available for these transmissions.

Although the THM 350 that I had (2.54 rearend) worked fine with the 267 V8 which ran at 2200 RPM at 60 MPH.

This engine speed is close to Model As.

URL is here: http://www.transmissionadapters.com/Model%20A.htm

Transmission Adapters

Home

About Us & Magazine Articles

Customer Comments

Gallery

Kit Pricing

Product Development

Transmissions

Other Products

Parts Wanted

Installation Instructions

Machining Services

Links

My Rides

Good Used Stuff

Announces our newest addition to the adapter family.

Model 'A' & Model 'B' to Chevrolet Automatic Transmissions

This kit will allow you to bolt up any of the Chevrolet automatic transmissions (700R4, 350 TH, 400 TH, 2004R, Powerglide, etc.) to the Model 'A' and Model 'B' motors.

Kit Contents:
Adapter Plate
Crank Adapter
Flex Plate
Torque Converter Drive Plate
Starter Adapter Plate
Mini High Torque Starter*
Bolt Kit
*This starter will only work with our kit.

Kit Retails for $1195.00 USD

13603 Johnson Street NE Ham Lake, MN 55304

763-767-4480 Voice 763-862-5581 Fax

www.transmissionadapters.com Web Site

[email protected] Email

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by bill williamson

in 1963, i added a small bendix hydro-vac brake booster to the hydraulic clutch system on a jaguar xke, for a guy that had a weak left leg. Those clutches were very stiff & even had a short clutch pedal, that made it even more difficult to push!
bill w.

lol !

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by Bob from Northport

Does anyone know of a way that a Model A can be set up for handicap usage, i.e. poor leg strength??

Thanks!!

Bob

Are you throughly confused yet ?

[Brother Hesekiel]

And then there's the Shay Roadster: Ford Pinto inline-4 with Ford C4 automatic transmission. Don't discard that idea right away; I have driven one in 2006 and it was fun!

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

lol !

And WHY was that FUNNY??-------Bill W.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Bob from Northport

Does anyone know of a way that a Model A can be set up for handicap usage, i.e. poor leg strength??

Thanks!!

Bob

Any car can be modified to accommodate many different handicaps.
I have seen model A's with hand controls for non functional legs.
The methods need to be tailored to the individual.

I have even seen a 34 Ford driven almost daily by a guy with NO ARMS.
As I recall, the guy said he had a heated steering wheel rim so his feet didn't get cold in the winter.

[Kevin in NJ]

How weak?

You can reduce clutch pressure with a V8 pressure plate. The ones with the counter balance. Some are without the counter weights and have the same pedal pressure.

A very carefully gone through and restored set of brakes can stop the car like manual hydraulics. BUT, manual hydraulic brakes still take way more effort then modern brakes. I believe there were some truck vacuum assist systems that could be adapted for mechanical brakes. Ask Kurt in NJ (my brother) as believe he was the one telling me about them.

So how much pressure can he apply and figure from there. Can he stop a 4 wheel non-assisted drum brake car?