Skills & Assets of Model A Owner

[46HARLEY]

My suggestion would be to think of your car as a series of projects. Don’t assume it all needs to be done at the same time. Make the lights work, the engine turn over, etc. Learn the satisfaction of small gains, so that you can keep the enjoyment of the endeavor.

[Wello]

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[Bob Bidonde]

I hope the newcomers to our hobby read this post! Thanks all for your additions to the list.

[Clem Clement]

Bob,
You are always on point with your ideas.
I would add "bring a bucket of patience; 2rolls of paper towels: one to clean up your mess and most important is a sealed roll of towels to put under your head:
white chalk to mark the bolts you have tightened today: wire ties and wooden clothes pins(wedges); 26 pack of liquid courage. Clem

[Canton_Model_A's]

also a copy of the Les Andrews Bibles, specifically Volumes 1 and 2

[Canton_Model_A's]

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Maybe we should ask the admins to make this thread 'Sticky' (no not the red grease one uses either)

[Sunny the Model A]

All one needs to get in the A hobby is first of all is an A of course, the Les Andrews volume 1, the service bulletin, a grease gun, socket set and the original tool kit. only modern things that are nice is the nu-rex timing tool, maybe a 6 blade fan and thermostat. but other than that, don't really need much

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Please allow me to offer a little different perspective on this.

I have been around this hobby since before I was born. In 1966 (-with me at the age of 6 y.o.) my father co-founded the Houston Model-A club. My dad was a hobbyist restorer as were 90+% of the Model-A club members. During the era from the 50s thru the 80s, I saw the majority of Model-A hobbyists being exactly like Bob mentions in his post #2.

Today is MUCH different from my vantage point. A large percentage of Model-A owners have no desire to restore and/or repair their Model-A. Often times it is lack of time due to work or family commitments. Other times, the owner simply has no desire to do any type of maintenance other than maybe a wash & wax. Many hobbyists today are professionals in the work force (Doctors, Lawyers, Business owners, et/al) who can afford to hire someone to do the very things that many of you choose to do on your own vehicle. Another type hobbyist I am seeing who hires their work done is the aging hobbyist that still enjoys their Model-A, but their physical limitations (-back, knees, hands, Parkinsons, etc.) prohibit them from working on their Model-A. Ironically these are tasks that maybe they might have performed at a different time in their life, -or for other reasons such as they live in a seniors community where they are prohibited to do maintenance on their Model-A.

Bringing this full-circle, I think the percentage of the hobbyists like I mentioned above is MUCH greater than what many here think. Maybe greater than 50%?? Again, times are different now.


I definitely am not saying the things written in each category in Post #2 are not a good to possess, but a good many hobbyists that I encounter do not possess those attributes yet seemingly enjoy ownership of a Model-A. I tend to think the percentage of hobbyists that presently do own Model-As yet can not work on their own Model-A, ...nor do they possess what is Bob stated under Experience, and don't possess any more than possibly one or two items in the Assets portion. Reading this list kinda disqualifies many present and/or future Model-A hobbyists if they need to follow Bob's suggestion.

[ronn]

to the guys with the wifey posts- just pull out your checkbook and buy what the wife wants. Problems suddenly disappear...........

[ratmother]

Necessities for vintage car (including Model A) owners:
- In the past two of the three- space, money, mechanical aptitude.
- currently and especially in the future - all three!
I joined a Model T club and a Model A club expecting to find a wealth of restoration and mechanical experience - seems in both groups there was one talented and experienced member who did most of the work for the rest - all they needed was money.
Maybe my club experience is unique, but I don’t think so.
Sadly these unique individuals are aging out.

[ronn]

I agree rat- many meets are social gathers of cookies and coffee. not much wrenching.........

[updraught]

A long driveway so you can get the trailer past the windows quickly.

[1953M100]

I am 25 year ASE certified and former automotive field engineer. Just getting into Model A's, I feel like I have a lot to learn...!!

[Planojc]

Being able to identify good advice from bad advice is a must. Lots of so called experts on Model A's can steer you wrong so do your homework.

[ThosD]

Perseverance! Removing rusty nuts and bolts for me has often required use of a cut off blade on my angle grinder or a propane torch. I have purchased many Model A tools; spreaders and pullers to complete suspension rebuilding, engine, transmission and rear axel/torque tube R&R. I have used a skilled welder, who likes side jobs, to patch my firewall. A local privately owned auto parts store employs a machinist who replaced and honed my kingpin bushings to correctly fit my new kingpins for less than the cost of a bushing reaming tool. I found that I gained good knowledge by talking with vendors who supply products and services. For skills that I don't have, I must pay for the service that I need. So far buying these services has been money well spent. Unfortunately, I am spending about 1 1l2 times what I thought I would spend on this hobby.

[Fullraceflathead]

Unless you are obsessed with a high points show car owning and driving a driver and maintaining it is the biggest bang for your buck in model A. ownership in my opinion!!!

[dansluck]

Brent, I hear you! I've been working on Model As for 60 years. The BEST tool I ever bought to work on my As was a car lift. Old age has made the concrete floor colder and harder.
Dan