When to let your Model A go

[C1Nelson]

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?

I know a person in So. Cal that built a Burtz motor for the owner of roadster and the owner did have an automatic put into the car. PM me and I can probably get a name for you of that owner.

[Robert/Texas]

I'll be 91 next Tuesday and I still have four of my old Fords, '22, '28, '34 roadsters and '37 Sedan. We keep these cars in my barn in a rural area 95 miles from my home. I still drive them from time to time, and my wife doesn't want me to sell them. I don't know what she will do with them when I'm gone.

[BlueSunoco]

Originally Posted by nkaminar

...................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.).............

We went through this is an estate situation after our mother died.


To spare you ALL of the BS that happened, and it was supposed to be done just like you are saying you have planned.... I have a very very valuable bit of advice for you.


Find out who truly wants the car, not just to be a flipper and make a buck off of it. THEN sign the title over to that kid and GIVE them the damn car. No $$ changing hands.


Our situation with 5 kids got real real ugly. None of us ever bother talking to or having anything to do with the one person and their spouse who tried to cause a LOT of trouble over an old car, held the estate up for two years, and cost us an additional $30,000 in attorney fees and that was getting off CHEAP, he didn't bill the estate for half of the work he put in because he had been a good friend of my parents and went to church with them.


GIVE the car away, and save yourself tons of grief and tens of thousands of dollars in wasted attorney fees. And do it NOW.

[BlueSunoco]

To the one guy who sold his car on Craigslist and avoided the 'flippers'... I say Bravo to you buddy
They drove me absolutely bonkers on a Mustang we were selling, to the point all I wanted to do to them was plant my fist in the middle of their faces after they got belligerent , argumentative, hostile and down right nasty !
Biggest PIA on any cars deals I ever had. Thanks to the American Pick-wits and all of your +-@!

[drgoetz]

I will downsize my parts but I just bought another Model A - a Roadster.
My stuff goes into a "trust"; let them figure it out !!!!

[ModelA29]

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Originally Posted by drgoetz

My stuff goes into a "trust"; let them figure it out !!!!

Ours too - but there isn't much the daughter wants. A few old family pieces like the pump organ, a 1800s high chair tintypes and photos. She said she'll just torch the rest......

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by BlueSunoco

Find out who truly wants the car, not just to be a flipper and make a buck off of it. THEN sign the title over to that kid and GIVE them the damn car. No $$ changing hands.

That's exactly what my plan is. Whether the "kid" is mine or not.

[The Master Cylinder]

Well I am not going, so I don’t have to worry about it.

[Stretch Cab]

I have 5 cars that are not worth a whole lot of money. Gave the Rdst. PU to our daughter and told her to sell it when she wants to. She said no! Almost finished building a house and shop. I am 68 and get more enjoyment out of looking at the cars than driving them. All the cars came from either my dad or grandfather so the memories should last me longer than my driving abilities assuming dementia doesn't catch me. My shop is my museum and I love it. I would love for the cars to stay in the family but that is not important. I could definitely use the money from selling them but then I would not have my museum.

[Bob Bidonde]

My two Model A's can go away after I go to Heaven (hopefully), but I want them at my funeral.

[BlueSunoco]

Originally Posted by Stretch Cab

I have 5 cars that are not worth a whole lot of money. Gave the Rdst. PU to our daughter and told her to sell it when she wants to. She said no! Almost finished building a house and shop. I am 68 and get more enjoyment out of looking at the cars than driving them. All the cars came from either my dad or grandfather so the memories should last me longer than my driving abilities assuming dementia doesn't catch me. My shop is my museum and I love it. I would love for the cars to stay in the family but that is not important. I could definitely use the money from selling them but then I would not have my museum.

Stretch, I'm about your age too and feel about the same! I get a lot of enjoyment out of just looking at our old cars. Sitting out in the garage with a Pepsi in hand and Sirius radio on the 'Classic Rock' station.
The Model A takes up the least amount of space. I figured the equivalent of two JD 500 Series garden tractors with 54" mower decks, parked end to end
Once when I was fussing about letting it go to use the space for something else, our 4 year old grandson said to me quite casually 'Do you need the money?' I said 'No.' His reply was 'Keep it'
Straight forward advice! He was always wise beyond his years

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by BlueSunoco

.... 'Do you need the money?' I said 'No.' His reply was 'Keep it'

And that is the best advice ever.

[Stretch Cab]

I totally agree with the last 2 post.

[Fullraceflathead]

I would never sell my 28 roadster pickup I get way too much enjoyment out of it hopefully after I'm gone my son will keep it for the next generation that would be my best made plans.

[BlueSunoco]

Fullrace--- you have a real nice assortment of cars! Cool, and GOOD JOB

[Fullraceflathead]

Thanks blue sunoco I also have a 1951 Studebaker bullet nose that I would like to make into a street/strip car.

[Oldgearz]

Simple for me @80. I have a comradeship after all the love and work. I'll let the heirs make the decision.

[Big hammer]

Let go just before going over the cliff ! ;-)

[Planojc]

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?

I just had my left knee replaced and now have no problem using the clutch. Now hope to get my right knee replaced so I can use the brakes.

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by 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.

Be cautious about selling at a "very reasonable" price! I've seen too many cases where someone gushes over an old car and begs to buy it, but "can't afford it". So, the owner cuts him/her a good deal, thinking the car is going to a good home. Surprise, within a month the new owner has sold the car for a big profit!