When to let your Model A go

[Jemelton#]

While battling my recent clutch issue (stuck to pressure plate), I came to the realization that my soon to be 80 year old body might be not as limber as it used to be!


That being said, the old girl is not being driven enough to be as limber as it's owner. I have been giving some thought to letting it go to another owner who will enjoy the ride.


Then the question is how to market the old girl to another deserving owner.

[Seth Swoboda]

I'd start by finding a young(er) person near you that has shown interest in your car or early Fords in the past. If it were me I'd be willing to sell it to them very reasonable if I thought it will truly spark a lifelong interest.

[P.S.]

Are you a member of a club??

A club would help you with your repairs, and a club is also full of potential buyers when "that time" comes.

[johnneilson]

X2 PS

This way the new owner has a chance at a long experience

J

[nkaminar]

Stopping driving is one of the hardest thing that you have to do as you get older. Driving provides freedom and letting it go takes that away. Letting go of the Model A is right up there at the same level. Some people let go of their Model A too soon and some too late. My goal is to hold on to mine as long as possible but set some rules to follow to know when it is time.

None of my 4 kids seem to have an interest so it will be sold. If any of the kids steps forward they will have to buy it, with the payment distributed among all 4 kids. In other words, the one who buys it pays 3/4 of the selling price. (A 25% discount.)

More: Age is not the determining factor. Safety is. Our neighbor, suffering from dementia, had to give up driving before she hurt someone.

[Mulletwagon]

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"Parting is such sweet sorrow"

I too am facing the day when I have to let the old Henry go. Sadly, the later generations are not much interested - Gen Z being the worst. They have no sense of history or tradition and seem to be preoccupied with social media. There are certainly exceptions but my local club just folded because the old guys passed on and there was no young blood to replace them. I hope to find an enthusiastic "care taker" to assume ownership and can only pray my 31 does not suffer the indignity of becoming a street rod - Oh the humanity !! I use to feel Model As would be running long after the Starship Enterprise was mothballed. Now I am not so sure.

[ModelA29]

I recently bought a Tudor from a 30 year owner. He'd not driven it in 10+ years. He got it out and put in a new battery etc. He's in his 80s and has mobility issues. He found he could no longer press the clutch effectively and didn't feel safe with the brake pressure required. He listed it on Craigslist for a decent price. He screened the buyers and eliminated the flippers and the guy who was just going to hop on the freeway and drive it home (about 150 miles). I passed his driving test and learned from him at 75 I too will have to face the reality of no longer being able operate the car in a safe manner and have to pass it on.
PS - he signed the personal plate over to us.

[Tom F OHIO]

My son would kill me if I ever got rid of our car especially since he rode in the back seat in his baby seat. Also, his mom changed his diaper on the running board. He is now 47. He also has his grandma and grandpa's 29 coupe. We told him it is his when were gone. He told us no hurry. Lol

[1928Mik]

I agree with P.S., a club is excellent way to reach potential buyers. My Dad willed my A to me, and luckily my son wants it when I'm done...

[32Ford13]

Outstanding advice Paul! Model A clubs make this hobby a joy.

[Russ B]

I’m 79 and thinking about it now, starting with my ‘51 ford club coupe. It will be the first to go. I have a 29 ccpu hot rod I have been holding for my daughter. I originally built it for her 16th birthday, but she hasn’t used it since she headed to college. I need to push her more to take it or let me sell it. Her daughter is 17 already.

Cars and essentially all the stuff we seniors have accumulated over a lifetime hold little emotional value to our children. Once we accept that, we can, in theory, start letting it all go.

We recently helped a 93 year old senior friend downsize and move to senior living. It was a shame for all that went into dumpsters, but not much could even be given away. It was a wake-up.

I gave away a truckload of Model A parts a few years back. It was much easier than attempting to sell parts one at a time; and it is better to give them away rather than to have your kids put them in a dumpster when I am gone.

[ModelA29]

Originally Posted by Russ B

I’m 79 and thinking about it now, starting with my ‘51 ford club coupe.

Let me know on the 51. That is the first car my wife remembers her parents having. I've offered to buy her another Grabber Blue Maverick - and she's threatened to divorce me if I do. Her parents took her to buy a Mustang and the salesman talked them into buying her the slow moving Maverick because he got a bonus for moving them off the lot.

[Brad in Germany]

Anyone looking to adopt a son who is also into Model A Fords ......I'm available!

Brad in Maryland

[Bob Bidonde]

I just turned 83 and I am thinking about converting one of my Model A's to have an automatic overdrive transmission. Hopefully, there is a conversion kit available to do this?

[Keith True]

I'm going to get rid of a couple.I will keep my 30 open pickup,but that's because it was given to me in 1968 when I was 12.I just don't find it to be fun driving them anymore.It is nearly impossible to drive a closed A with the windows up.My arm has always had to be out the window,but in the last 5 years it has gotten worse.My arms won't hang close to my body,the muscle and bone in my shoulders adapted to the kinds of work I did all my life.Everything works fine,just a little deformed.I can't ride a motorcycle with low handlebars either.They have to be up and back.It takes two pairs of handcuffs to go behind my back.It's not my size,it's my bone structure.One set will pull my arm out of it's socket.I went from never wanting to part with the A's to they are too much of a chore to drive.But,my idea of downsizing has always been,sell one,buy two.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

I just turned 83 and I am thinking about converting one of my Model A's to have an automatic overdrive transmission. Hopefully, there is a conversion kit available to do this?

Bendtsen's has one. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/00...f?v=1592251539

[WHN]

Selling when the time comes is not always easy.

Once done, you have one less thing to worry about.

The older we get less to worry about makes life easier.

Enjoy ��

[Bruce of MN]

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

I just turned 83 and I am thinking about converting one of my Model A's to have an automatic overdrive transmission. Hopefully, there is a conversion kit available to do this?

Also https://transmissionadapters.com/col...-to-chevy-auto


Oops, same as above.

[Bob Bidonde]

Y-Blockhead & Bruce, thanks for the link to a conversion kit site.

[ronn]

Keith, all of the talk of handcuffs............


youve lived a storied life!