My new 1930 2-dr sedan

[atch]

Wahooooo!!!

I've been working on this deal for three months. Actually the lawyers have been doing the work and I've been twiddling my thumbs. My friend Dick died about 4 months ago. When he was terminally ill he gave instructions to Brigitte as to what to do with his Model A's, Corvette, boat, and a bunch of other man toys. Brigitte knew that I have liked the 2-dr for a long time. After Dick's funeral she contacted me to see if I wanted to buy it. I jumped at the chance. I've been looking for a $6-8K beater/driver 2-dr for several years now. The ones that were priced in what I considered my budget were junk. Some that looked really great in pictures and sounded like the price was right also turned out to be worth way less than the asking price. If you're selling it it's a $10K car; if you're buying the same car it's a $5K car. You all know the drill. Well, Dick had given Brigitte two prices for his stuff. One (retail) if it went to a stranger and a highly discounted price if it went to a friend, especially a MMMARC club member (see further on down). I got the smoking hot buddy price and bought it even though it was WAY nicer and quite a bit more expensive than what I thought I was looking for. I paid for it in early May but had to wait for probate to get the title into Brigitte's name so that she could sell it to me. That culminated yesterday and now it's mine. Title is in my name. Insurance folks have taken pix. I drove it about 50 miles today. Now the world is spinning in greased grooves (bonus points to you if you know what movie that came from).

So I learned a lot today before and while driving it. I now know where both of the fuel valves are. I know where the master electrical shut-off is. I have relearned how to double clutch. It's been over 60 years since I had to do that in the old 1948 3/4 ton Dodge farm truck we had back then. I know where the starter button is. I know that the 40 mph curves you take at 55 in your late model are 30-35 mph curves in a Model A. I know what to do with and how to shift a Mitchell overdrive.

If you're reading this in the model A section of the Ford Barn you undoubtedly know WAY more than I do about Model A's. Before I test drove this thing three months ago I had never driven a Model A. Between that day and today I never had the chance to drive one. I've got a lot to learn. Also you'll notice that I mentioned some things that didn't come on Model A's from the factory. Dick couldn't leave well enough alone. It's also 12V now.

I'll be asking a ton of questions about these cars.

Note that I am this year's president of the Mid Missouri Model A Restorers' Club. That even though I don't know squat about them. I joined the club about 5-6 years ago (before Covid) when I inherited a half-done '31 Model A hot rod project. I thought (correctly) that the club members could give me pointers about the body of the hot rod that needed some attention. As time wore on I got more and more enamored with stock Model A's and decided that I really needed one. It was kind of a bummer following a bunch of "A"s on tours driving a late model. While it was nice to follow along in air-conditioned comfort utilizing the cruise control it just left an empty feeling down inside. Note: I've followed this and other Model A's all over central Missouri in the past few years. Anyway, I've gotten to know the club members and they have become friends. And now I can cruise along in my very own model A.

I'm ecstatic.

When I got the title yesterday I made it TOD (transfer on death) to one of my daughters. I had to cash in some invested money to pay for this. The money is money that Allison would have inherited when I die anyway so basically I bought it with her money. Note: some of you know about Clarence, my 1948 Ford panel truck that I bought it in February of 1973. I spent a wheelbarrow full of money on it recently. Same thing there. It goes to the other daughter when I die and I paid for those improvements the same way. With money that Meredith would have inherited. When she was in high school nearly 30 years ago I let her drive it to school a few times she told me then that she wanted it someday. Well, I consider it hers and the Model A Allison's. They are just letting me drive them while I'm still kicking. They didn't get any say-so in the matter, though. Allison has never seen her Model A but she has seen pix of it. She, her husband, and their two sons are excited about it and someday owning/driving it. We wanted them to come to dinner today and see it but they are at the Wisconsin Dells this week. Her loss. They will see it when they get home.

Anyway, this is my initiation into the Model A world. I'm about to learn what you all have known for a long time. I'll add some pix. Some in front of a friend's shop and a couple beside my house & shop.

First question: it's got those aftermarket hood brackets that allow you to raise either or both sides of the hood and let them sit in the "cradle". Is it detrimental to leave the hood open like that while in the garage? I ask because the electric switch is under the hood on the driver's side and the second gas shut off is under the passenger side hood. If it won't hurt anything I'll just leave the hood propped open when garaged. If it could hurt anything I'll shut it every time when inside.


20250512_105621.jpg

20250512_105712.jpg

20250512_105722.jpg

[CWPASADENA]

Great looking Model A and a Great story.

I know you will take care of it and enjoy it. Tudors are good cars for touring. My first Model A was a '30 Tudor, that was almost 70 years ago. The Model A I currently use for touring is a '30 Tudor.

Good luck,

Chris W.

[nkaminar]

No problem leaving the hoods up. Good luck with your new to you Ford. Nice looking car. The overdrive is a really handy accessory.

[ronn]

good looking car.


I enjoy the chickle.

[old31]

That's an awesome car. Good for you.

The hood will be just fine being up.

[Ayers1]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Beautiful car! Sounds like you got a great deal! I was going to paint my 2 door the same colors but there's one just like it in the club. Enjoy!

[Fullraceflathead]

Great looking model A. you are a lucky man and both of your daughters are lucky too!!!

[katy]

Originally Posted by ronn

I enjoy the chickle.

?????

[Chuck Dempsey]

NICE CAR! Congrats. No 'bonus points' for me, but DO tell us where the phrase is from when you get a chance...

[Keith True]

Chickle.Chicle drab,the color.I probably spelled it wrong too.Pretty color to me.I don't believe I've ever bought an A that I could drive without a couple of weeks of work first.

[atch]

Originally Posted by Chuck Dempsey

NICE CAR! Congrats. No 'bonus points' for me, but DO tell us where the phrase is from when you get a chance...

Cannery Row. I believe it's the very last line in the movie, spoken by a narrator. Definitely on my list of 50 favorite movies. Watch it if you ever get the chance.

Thanks for all the positive comments. I plan to enjoy this thing to the max and am anxious for the nest Model A tour with my club.

Question #2: On another site someone said I should use ethanol free gas, that the ethanol will eat up parts. Any of you confirm/deny that? b-t-w; I don't trust that other site as much as I trust you Ford Barn folks.

[atch]

Originally Posted by Keith True

Chickle.Chicle drab,the color.I probably spelled it wrong too.Pretty color to me.I don't believe I've ever bought an A that I could drive without a couple of weeks of work first.

The Chickle Drab reference baffled me, too, so I Googled it. One of the results was to a FaceBook post that referenced a MAFCA post and the pic in that post could have been my car other than the "trunk" that Dick added.

[Herb Concord Ca]

In CA that's all you can buy for cars. I have Viton tipped float valves with helper springs, (non-Zenith carbs) so that they won't stick closed. Other than that, I have not had any problems.

[Ayers1]

Originally Posted by Keith True

Chickle.Chicle drab,the color.I probably spelled it wrong too.Pretty color to me.I don't believe I've ever bought an A that I could drive without a couple of weeks of work first.

I believe the colors are Chicle drab and Cobra drab. Correct me if I'm wrong. Love the color combination! I actually understood what he meant.

[Big hammer]

Ethanol gas goes bad very quickly, like one month, it can clog the carburetor, haven’t heard about eating things up ? If you can’t find pure gas make sure to use a fuel stabilizer, MMO (marvel mystery oil) helps ! If out and about and I have to use ethanol gas I make sure to use a stabilizer or MMO when I get home. One outing the ethanol gas that I bought had water in it, gas line dryer added help out in a pinch, MMO when we got home.

Nice looking A !!!! Enjoy the ride !!!

[atch]

Model A update:
Friday I drove it 48 miles; picked it up and took it to the insurance guy to photograph
Saturday I drove it 52 miles; Sherry and I went to Centralia for supper
Today I drove it 64 miles; Sherry and I went to a friend's house to visit

It looks like I'll be finding excuses to drive this thing every day until the new wears off.

In addition to the things I have learned that I mentioned previously today I learned where the light switch is and how to dim the lights. I also learned that the speedometer and fuel gauge don't have lights. If you're going to drive so after dark you need to look at the gas gauge while it's still light outside and make sure you've got enough gas to get to where you're going or at least to a gas station. Speedometer really doesn't matter. Unless you're in a slow speed limit in town it won't go over the speed limit anyway. You just drive it like any old car. If it starts to lug down you downshift. If the engine is getting up there in rpm you upshift. Simple. The aftermarket temp gauge isn't lighted either but so far it's been right on 170° - 175° every time I look at it. I doubt that'll change much, day or night. I found out that there is a shade you can pull down over the rear window. I think that next time I drive it after dark I'll pull it down to keep the headlights of following cars out of my eyes (through the rear-view mirror). There are still two outside mirrors I can use to keep track of other traffic. Before tonight I really didn't realize how nice day/night rearview mirrors are.

Today I got 12.99 mpg. A 1930 Model A tank holds 10 gallons. So it looks like I better be finding a gas station at around 100 miles after fill-up. After a hunnert miles of driving a Model A I'll be needing to get out and walk around. And SWMBO can't go over a hundred miles between potty breaks so if she's with me I'd have to be stopping anyway. And that's at highway speeds in a late model. In a Model A I imagine she'll need to stop every 60-70 miles.

I think that there is going to be something to learn every time I drive it.

At least the temp has been very conducive to driving with windows down and no A/C.

Question: are there really lights in the gauges and I just don't know where the switch is?

[Chris in WNC]

Originally Posted by atch

. no A/C.

Question: are there really lights in the gauges and I just don't know where the switch is?

if you have a round speedometer, the instrument light and switch are hidden up under the dash rail.

if you have an oval speedo the light is that big round thing in the middle of the instrument panel, twist to on/off.

[Bruce of MN]

If you need a dash light:


https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/s...cht=dash+light

[nkaminar]

For the dash lights, the LED's are cooler and take far less current, so if you forget and leave them on they will not drain the battery near as fast. The LED sites have charts that give equivalent part numbers for the LED's if you have a part number for the incandescent bulbs.

[atch]

Originally Posted by Chris in WNC

if you have a round speedometer, the instrument light and switch are hidden up under the dash rail.

if you have an oval speedo the light is that big round thing in the middle of the instrument panel, twist to on/off.

Found it! Round speedo. I would never have found this without your help. THANKS.