Model A and Youngsters

[Malibob]

I thought I already posted this here a while back but apparently not. A couple years back my son asked if he could have me bring in our Tudor for a class he had to give on a subject of his choosing. His selection was an internal combustion engine and the simplicity of our Model A was a perfect choice to showcase how an engine worked. The kids all loved it and I let them crawl around all over the car to hopefully pass along the bug. Anyways, the Model A Club did an article and I was thrilled.

[Ayers1]

Our Model A club will have a show at a local middle school. Usually late fall when production and assembly lines are being discussed. We are there about 3 hours and the kids have a great time checking them out and asking questions.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Ayers1

Our Model A club will have a show at a local middle school. Usually late fall when production and assembly lines are being discussed. We are there about 3 hours and the kids have a great time checking them out and asking questions.

I took one of my As to a primary school to help my grand daughter with a project. During the question time after, I was very impressed by the questions these 8-9 year olds asked. Not just "How fast does it go?" or "Where do you buy tyres?" but well thought through questions seeking insight.
I left that day with a feeling that the future might be in better hands than we thought.

[P.S.]

Exceptional High School kids and Ford Model As- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnnnvOKuTcw

[Ayers1]

They do ask interesting questions like how many were produced, how was this done, etc. Like Synchro909 said, the future may not be as lost as it feels some days.

[Canton_Model_A's]

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Just have to get the younger kids involved. Like Paul said in his video, they are very curious about the cars.

[Ayers1]

What has amazed some of the kids is that the cars get driven on a regular basis. I opened the doors on mine and let them get in and out of it and feel what it's like to be in the driver seat. They seemed to soak it all in! As you said, maybe spark more interest in the A's!

[Andgott]

A great idea- Model A engines are about as simple as they get, and it would be a easier to explain the "workings" of the ICE on one than a modern car... I get lost when I open the hood to my new cars, the A is different. It's about as straight forward as you can get!

Hopefully it'll get a few people hooked on the hobby, which (at least in my area) seems to be slowly dying off. No "new blood" in the clubs.

[Bob Bidonde]

It is my experience that many many youngsters become keenly interested in vintage cars before they mature into teenagers. Perhaps it is their attraction to Grandpa and his hobbies. However, when they become teenagers their interest shifts to modern cars and pickup trucks. They loose interest in vintage cars because in their mindset, they are no longer cool.

[slatgrille]

My 12 yo son loved going to car shows and riding around in my 'A', Plymouth and jeep when he was little. Now?....I took him to football practice last night in the 'A'. First trip of distance since I finished up the engine. He said to me along the way, "Dad, can you drop me off before we get to the field? I'll walk the rest of the way." I knew right away that he didn't want to be seen in dad's old car...it wasn't cool anymore! Needless to say, I didn't give in . I was the same way around my peers at that age. The seed has been planted, it's just dormant for awhile...lol.

Craig

[Jim Brierley]

I took my tudor to the school that my grand niece taught at, and her kids attended. I too was impressed with the question younger kids asked. Many years later she told me that her kids still remember the day and still talk about it. I was/am pleased!

[ronn]

I have to agree with you Bob.

My interest started at 9, when my Dad bought a model T.

[gdmn852]

Hello, the British car club I am also in is thinking of doing this , but in Pennsylvania they said have to do a background check. The MGB s and Truimph do seem to draw lots attention, from kids,maybe because they are so small .

[Ayers1]

Originally Posted by slatgrille

My 12 yo son loved going to car shows and riding around in my 'A', Plymouth and jeep when he was little. Now?....I took him to football practice last night in the 'A'. First trip of distance since I finished up the engine. He said to me along the way, "Dad, can you drop me off before we get to the field? I'll walk the rest of the way." I knew right away that he didn't want to be seen in dad's old car...it wasn't cool anymore! Needless to say, I didn't give in . I was the same way around my peers at that age. The seed has been planted, it's just dormant for awhile...lol.

Craig

I used to run my kids around in a 39 Pontiac 30 years ago and they were so embarrassed by it. Now that they have gotten older they tell me how much they like my cars and appreciate all the work I've put in them. There's still hope for them!

[Planojc]

When I'm driving my car and see young kids, I always honk the horn and it always puts a smile on their face.

[trulyvintage]

This was about 10 years ago
in Great Falls, Montana where
I dropped of a couple Fords,

These kids are probably
driving now ….


Jim