Clyde did not like Model As

[marc hildebrant]

Originally Posted by bikejunk

I will bet the same thing, as most cars from that period had about the same step starting .

Cars used different methods...

My 1933 Chev had the starter under the gas petal. Push on the gas pedal to start the car.

Marc

[George Miller]

Buick had it with the gas pedal also. Some Nash cars had it under the clutch.

[johnbuckley]

Originally Posted by PC/SR

Am reading a biography of Bonnie and Clyde (Go Down Together, by Jeff Guinn). The author notes that Clyde would not steal Model As because
Model As were notoriously difficult to start--besides
turning the ignition key, it was necessary to pull out the
choke while simultaneously pressing down with both feet
on the clutch and accelerator pedals. Clyde himself would
never have stooped to stealing one.

I believe all history books should quote their sources. Does Guinn give any reference for this statement that Clyde would not steal As? The subsequent section about difficult starting is patently untrue which makes me doubt the veracity of the entire snippet.

[George Miller]

For one thing it would be hard to start an A with out the key. That is why the armor cable and the wire from the switch goes to the points. You would have to cut the cable and splice in.

[BlueSunoco]

Of course Bonnie and Clyde preferred Ford V-8's for the OBVIOUS reason

Our '36 Ford will run circles around the Model A no comparison there! By the time you get an A into third gear those flatheads are LONG gone.

American Heroes Channel had a segment about Frank Hamer Monday nite, very interesting man. He did in 90 days what the FBI couldn't do in almost three years running down B&C. J. Edgar once again the fool.

[caboose]

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Frank Hamer either wrote in his book, or was quoted, (can't remember which) something to the effect that during the final shootout, he only shot Bonnie because she got out of the car and pointed a shotgun at him. Neither Clyde nor Bonnie came out of the car alive.

[Skeezixx]

If I was in the bank robbing business I don't think I'd choose a Model A as a getaway car either.

A Hummer maybe.

And BTW:
If he had one foot on the clutch and the other on the accelerator what did he depress the starter with?

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by James Rogers

I agree that the A could have been upgraded in those days to equal or exceed the 60HP V8 but not when you are stealing it. I also don't understand why anyone would say the A is harder to start than a V8 flathead. The A will usually start in 3 revs but a V8 even in perfect condition sounds like you are winding up a clock spring to get it started.
Writer's perception, I think.

Wasn't the 1933 v8 65HP
the 1933 model B was 50HP
Model A was 40hp

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by 31 Model A

I'm sure ole Clyde would have chosen an A any day if it had been bullet proof!!!!

all the steel bodies cars of that day were basically bullet proof because of the low power ammo the police were using.
Dillinger like the 38 super ammo because it could penetrate the steel auto bodies.
Clyde loved the Browning Automatic Rifle that shot 30-06 ammo which would penetrate almost anything where a thompson's 45 low velocity could not.
But the BAR was too damn heavy to carry around and really should be on a stand.