Unlikable Aspects of The Model "A"

[nkaminar]

I once drove my Model T to the moon, but I didn't like it there, no atmosphere.

[German guy]

mleder.....I agree. Has anyone come up with a modification that is not too 'in your face'? I installed heat and sound insulation and a carpet because the engine noise was irritating on a drive over more than an hour (and it made the overall look far more elegant). I would love not to have to pull everything up every time I need access to the battery. I have considered behind the rear seat in my Tudor (it has a factory installed 3rd door at the rear because it had been ordered by a baker who used it sometimes for deliveries)...but that is a very long route for the thick cables.

[ronn]

.but that is a very long route for the thick cables.

I have my battery on the rear pass runningboard of my 68c. The access is wonderful and the previous owner had those long cables to the rear bumper!

I was going to move the battery back where it belonged, but the rear runningbd had minor rot and I was too lazy to chg out the runningbd. I will build or buy a box for the battery in the spring. It is a great location. Love it!

[Mike1291]

Originally Posted by ronn

Corvairs are great cars and maybe a better bang for the buck, then an A.

they are still unwanted...........

They seem to be cheap and have a cool factor to them. Even in the rustbelt nice examples can be had for 10K. But i'll probably always have my A. Don't have to worry about dropping the engine & trans whenever I want to work on either of those

If I had to gripe about one thing, I would say the steering box. 7 tooth were harder to rebuild but the 2 tooth is less durable. Aftermarket parts (such as the shortened pitman arm) can amplify steering play and cause "death wobble" if your box is worn. But thankfully there are a few left out there who know how to rebuild them

[HarleyFLHS]

The Model A was a big improvement over the Model T. The biggest improvement I would make is Cast Iron drums over the steel drums of the day, which simply fade as they heat up. The other safety factor which would be changing out the glass sediment bulb for a cast one, I once saw one break and start a fire. That's about it. it's an A.

[Bob Bidonde]

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Wow! I never saw or heard of an original Model A glass sediment bowl breaking. I have dropped mine onto a concrete garage floor a few times, but the glass is thick enough that it does not break. I fear those inline plastic gas filters and the rubber hose splices into the gas lines I see on so many Model A's that are nearby the exhaust manifold.

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

Wow! I never saw or heard of an original Model A glass sediment bowl breaking. I have dropped mine onto a concrete garage floor a few times, but the glass is thick enough that it does not break. I fear those inline plastic gas filters and the rubber hose splices into the gas lines I see on so many Model A's that are nearby the exhaust manifold.

I prefer the glass bowl, I like seeing how much crud I have to deal with. Having said that, you do need to carry spare cork gaskets for when you remove the bowl to clean it out. Guy in our club had one fail on a tour, it was a real circus until someone stepped up with a new one.

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by ModelA29

The Corvair would still be around too - if .gov had investigated and released their report in a timely manner. Nader's entire credibility should have been lost but the press continued to consider him an automotive expert.


Corvair Exonerated! On Friday, July 21, 1972, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) - a branch of the federal government - issued a report on its two year investigation of the 1960-1963 Corvair. The report concludes: "The handling and stability performance of the 1960-1963 Corvair does not result in an abnormal potential for loss of control or rollover and it is at least as good as the performance of some contemporary vehicles, both foreign and domestic."

I never realized that all I ever heard about those cars was the negative press. Funny how some no-nothing dip wad becomes an 'expert' on a car when they really don't know what the hell they are talking about, and the news sells their agenda backs them up at every turn.

We see it today with the EV propaganda. Knock yourselves out buying that junk, I never will.

Back to Model A's--- a friend is restoring a '30 Coupe and he had a REAL hard time trying to find a cast iron sediment bowl. He didn't want a glass one. Those dudes seem to be getting pretty scarce! And yes I agree with the post about those in-line plastic fuel filters hanging above the exhaust manifold like the Sword of Damacles.... run

[ronn]

Jeff,
the first time I heard about the sword of Damacles was in a 3 stooges movie- maybe 12 yrs old! The best history lessons.........

[David in San Antonio]

I read that the Nader book didn’t kill off the Corvair, the Ford Falcon did. From what I recall, the Falcon cost less to build so it cost less to buy. The Ford also got better fuel economy. At the time Americans viewed small cars as economy vehicles and the Falcon was cheap. The Corvair cost more so than as compared to larger cars and it was a hard sell to convince Americans to pay that much for a small car.

[Bruce of MN]

My Dad paid $2000 for his 1964 zero options Corvair.

It was ironic that the Nader book came out before the '64 models did and they had the leaf spring/sway bar across the back that kept the swing axles from tucking in during a maneuver. I remember following an older Corvair and it was surprising how much the axles tucked and got the tires on edge.

Edit: I see the book came out in late 1965. not a year earlier. My thought must have been that he didn't update it with available late information.

[alexiskai]

Originally Posted by David in San Antonio

I read that the Nader book didn’t kill off the Corvair, the Ford Falcon did. From what I recall, the Falcon cost less to build so it cost less to buy. The Ford also got better fuel economy. At the time Americans viewed small cars as economy vehicles and the Falcon was cheap. The Corvair cost more so than as compared to larger cars and it was a hard sell to convince Americans to pay that much for a small car.

From what I've read, the Mustang outcompeted both the Corvair and the Falcon. Corvair sales fell 50% from '65 to '66. So it was a combination of factors: the Mustang came out in '65, and then Nader's book came out at the end of '65 and became a best-seller in early '66, so when sales began to suffer, the low profit margin on the car meant it was an easy decision for management to shift development elsewhere.

[Model "A" Fords]

The thing I dislike about the Model "A" Ford is reproduction parts that are made inferior to the originals. Thanks' to the people that make thier repro parts correctly!

Overall, I think Edsol did a phenomenal job once Clara got Henry on board!

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by ronn

Jeff,
the first time I heard about the sword of Damacles was in a 3 stooges movie- maybe 12 yrs old! The best history lessons.........

Me too! The Stooges taught us a lot!

Then that pie fell off the ceiling as that lady looked up got her right in the face Moe had hurriedly scampered away!

[David in San Antonio]

My least favorite aspects of the Wretched Roadster: the contortions and awkwardness of removing the floorboards, and the lack of room for my feet and legs to move while driving. I drove a Model T touring car for about 20 minutes and that was so cramped I could hardly fit behind the wheel. So I guess the A is a big improvement though pickup drivers may argue the point.

[ThirstyThirty]

Originally Posted by Oldbluoval

9 gallons of gas in your lap! Ralph Nader would stroke

just thinking about that as i read the thread! but as kids, never seemed to bother us!

for 909: only a Model A... is a Model A!

[Sport King Eric]

I like Most everything about my Model A Simplicity in design. However I really get my socks in a bunch over 1 design "flaw" the extensive use of Cotter pins on every nut!! when new i bet this was a fantastic safety feature, but 95 years down the road these little pains can make a 10 minute job turn into a half hour battle !!

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by David in San Antonio

My least favorite aspects of the Wretched Roadster: the contortions and awkwardness of removing the floorboards, and the lack of room for my feet and legs to move while driving. I drove a Model T touring car for about 20 minutes and that was so cramped I could hardly fit behind the wheel. So I guess the A is a big improvement though pickup drivers may argue the point.

Dave you're not alone.... I'm well over 6' tall and any Roadster I have ridden in or driven was a horror! The older I get the worse it becomes. And getting in and out of the thing that in itself is agonizing. With the top up anyway.

I developed a way to 'swing' my right foot over the top of the brake pedal if that makes any sense to you, because there is no way to lift your leg to get to that pedal.

I never remember our Tudor having that issue

[mhsprecher]

Originally Posted by David in San Antonio

My least favorite aspects of the Wretched Roadster: the contortions and awkwardness of removing the floorboards, and the lack of room for my feet and legs to move while driving. I drove a Model T touring car for about 20 minutes and that was so cramped I could hardly fit behind the wheel. So I guess the A is a big improvement though pickup drivers may argue the point.

I have a 28 roadster and am 6'2". I get in and out fine with the top down and the foot room is adequate, if not idea. I also have a 30 Town Sedan. It's more awkward to get in and out of, but I manage.

[The Master Cylinder]

Originally Posted by David in San Antonio

My least favorite aspects of the Wretched Roadster: the contortions and awkwardness of removing the floorboards..

This kit helps, you pnly have to remove ½ the floorboard to access the battery.
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...7804&cat=41699