Owning a model T vs model A

[The Eclector]

I'm one of those rare gents who's wife loves cars. She's been going back an forth about a Model A versus a Model T. She likes an open car such as a roadster pickup or a phaeton touring car. I'm looking for some practical advice from an ownership standpoint. Specifically, what is the difference when it comes down to maintaining each and how would you rate the driving experience between an A and a T?

[tmodelman]

Model T is antique auto, 1908 technology, 20 hp., magneto ignition on 4 coils, 30-35mph, 2 speed planetary trans, difficult in modern city traffic, best on country roads. Steering antiquated pinion and gears at the top of the steering column under the wheel, no service brakes on wheels, only transmission brake of fabric on band, running in oil. 30" clincher tires, wood spoke wheels. Few body styles, black color choice. Drive it like the antique it is and anticipate slowing down long in advance of stopping.

Model A, more modern antique, 40hp, 3 speed clutch trans like more ordinary autos, 4-wheel mechanical brakes, geared steering at frame, speeds at cruise to 50-55mph, can stay up with city traffic and stop fairly well. Water pump, oil pump, distributor with points, service is a bit more simple. Welded wire spoke wheels, larger tires for good grip. Many body styles and colors.

[redmodelt]

Both have their pit falls. The Model A from a maintenance stand point is much more straight forward. The T is a good car for those that like to tinker on it. That does not mean it can't be reliable it just takes a different mind set esp if car runs coils. There are the bands that need adjusting or replaced and learning to use the spark and throttle. Once you learn how the peddles work on the T it's not bad but for low you have to keep pressing the peddle down.
The T puts you in the slow lane, think 35 and under MPH, where the A 55 -60+ depending on the condition of the car. Then there are the brakes, T: transmission brake only unless rear after market outside brakes added (it has parking brakes but not that great for stopping). A; 4 wheel brakes and if in good condition should stop good.

[2manycars]

The above post sums it up well. I sold my T and kept the A. Much more driveable, but still stay off the interstate, unless you are nuts like my brother.

[Sunnybrook Farm]

I have driven As since the early 70s but am looking at building a T to drive off road on farm land. It looks like the original ATV to me.

[Dodge]

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The correct answer is: you need at least one of each. Two different drives, both wonderful.
I have seven T's and five Model A's been driving both for 50yrs.

[fordf1trucknut]

Originally Posted by Dodge

The correct answer is: you need at least one of each.

I agree completly.....I have one each as well and couldn't imagine getting rid of either.

[Sundiesel]

Our Model T has been in the family since 1964. Its been on the road, after a full restoration, for the past 11 years and I enjoy taking it to shows and driving it in parades etc.
BUT, if I was about to buy my first early Ford and had a choice of a T or an A, and knowing what I do now, I'd chose an A, probably a '31, over a T.
They both turn heads. They both have great spares back-up, but the A is an easier car to drive, is more conventional and is a more comfortable "club" car. Having said that I suppose my present project of building another T, contradicts the above.
Really, its down to you. Ask yourself, what do I like about each of them? Maybe make a list of the bits you like and the bits you don't like and work it out from there.
Anyway, good luck choosing, but once you've made your choice, no matter which way, you'll have a ball, because when the bug bites....it bites hard.
Cheers,
Rob

[CharlieB]

The A is what she'll go for. Especially if you can arrange with some one to have her drive or at least ride in a T. The T's a wagon with a motor in it while the A is light years closer to what's considered a car today. Not a heck of a lot safer than a T but frankly almost anythings safer than driving a T.

[15max]

The odds are you will enjoy the Model A more. I traded off my Model A 40 years ago in favor of T's and love ever minute of it. I am in the minority though. I have seen friends get frustrated with T's when they won't go as fast. They are peculiar animals. If you buy a Model A and still have a nagging feeling you would rather have a T, then you can trade or add a T to your garage. People should not buy a Model T unless they just can't help themselves. Only then is there hope they will learn to enjoy them.

[Jeff P. / MN]

I absolutely love my '14 T, so fun to drive in safe situations therefore I usually use it for parades only. My Model A is a fun car to drive also but not like a T. When I downsize to one car someday the Model A will be the keeper.

[Steve Jelf]

If you don't mind a top speed of 40 mph, the T is great. I enjoy driving mine. But it's a matter of personal taste. I say do just as you would if you were shopping for a new car. Test drive both. There are lots of local clubs for both, so it shouldn't be hard finding Model T and Model A owners who would like to take you out in their cars and let you test drive them.

[gz]

I have both, but if I could only have one, it would be my Model T.

[Royce P]

I have both, and have been in the Model A and Model T and HCCA attending events since before I could walk. If I had to have only one collector car it would be a Model T, as much due to the people as the car itself.

If you are planning to enjoy your collector car without meeting or participating in any of the events you are missing out on much of the enjoyment.

[Jeff P. / MN]

Reading posts from Guy and Royce I want to say that I picked the A over the T from a driving standpoint. I truly love the T, it is my all time favorite car. If I did not want to venture out of my area, # 1 would be my 1914 T.

[rosenkranswa]

We have T's, A's, and an Early V8. T is 20hp, A 40hp, V8 90 hp which I think sums up the differences, you can really see the march of progress across the years. The T is probably the most fun, but only on local roads and requires more tinkering, the A is better for most longer drives and keeping up with traffic, the V8 can hold its own in most situations in terms of speed and braking ability. All will turn heads, and all need to be driven as much as possible. Really depends on what you want to get out of it.

[Mark W.]

I have one of each too, and agree with the earlier posts to a point. Living on the Coast of Maine is a lot different from Chicago and the rides are as advertised, which means I like the T for slow meandering weekend drives, and the A for when I want to go some distance for a meet or flea, or ???

If you are undecided and can only afford one car, I would suggest you get in touch with a local chapter of each club and go for a ride - I know several people here would give you advice but in the end it really is personal preference...

[Model A Ron]

I have both an A and T. The Model A is much easier to drive and can hold 55 if needed. For the most part it's Ford's first shot at a modern car.

The T takes a bit more time to figure out as every pedal does what you would not think and top top top safe driving speed is 40.

That said I love both however the T is by far the most fun I have had with any antique car. Its an experience that you could never get in an A as long as you can deal with life in the slow lane.

[rotorwrench]

Over six years since the first post on this thread. I wonder how many folks who posted on this back in 2016 are still around.

[Gary loves Fords]

I have a 1909 Model T (first production year) and a 1927 Model T (last production year) and a 1930 Model A deluxe phaeton. Also 6 more collector cars. The 1927 Model T is the least expensive one in my collection, but by far the most fun to drive, both on tours and in rush hour traffic on busy streets. I drove her on a tour around Michigan and covered 750 miles in 6 days and was the best tour of my life. True, not as fast as a Model A, but I was clocked in my 1909 Model T at 42 MPH, which was pushing her a little too much. The A takes much less time to get used to driving, as it is more of a conventional manual transmission and clutch. Model T's are not at all hard to drive! Just different. After 20 minuets of instruction, you will become a Model T driver. My suggestion is find someone to take your Wife for a ride and show her how to drive a Model T and then a Model A and make the choice. If you can afford it, get one of each, as both are more bang for the buck than any other antique or collector car.

[Gary loves Fords]

Originally Posted by dodge

the correct answer is: You need at least one of each. Two different drives, both wonderful.
I have seven t's and five model a's been driving both for 50yrs.

amen brother

[Flathead Fever]

I've never owned a Model T, I worked on the neighbor's for him. The first time I rode in a '26 roadster that belonged to a friend of my dad's we were coming down a steep hill at Model T top speed. There was a traffic light at the bottom of the hill. About a 1/4-mile away that light turned yellow, and the driver looked over at me and says, "were already past the point of no return, then it turned red as we were about 1/8 mile away as watched the cars start crossing the intersection. We sailed right on through that red light. I got the impression from the owner that was just part of excitement of driving a Model T. Years later I got to drive a neighbors' 1913 roadster in a parade, they are really fun to start and drive. You really get a feel of driving an antique car. On the way home I had to drive (crawl) up another steep hill. Another neighbor came flying by honking his horn in his Model A. As if flew by all I could think of was how in its day the Model A instantly made the Model T obsolete. They are equally neat for different reasons. A Model A roadster with a rumble seat is pretty neat, just getting to take people for rides in a rumble seat so they can see what it was like. But so is taking them for a ride in a Model T because of how different the controls are. They are small cars, the roadsters were made for people that didn't way much over 150 lbs. Ask somebody if she can sit in their Model T and Model A's and see what feels right for her. I'm sure they will be happy to take her for a ride. She really needs to go for in each before she decides.

There is not much maintenance for either of them, fluid levels and grease zerks. If you have a cylinder misfire in a Model T you can literally lift out a coil box one at a time while its running and see which cylinders are affected. The one that does not affect it is the bad cylinder. Then you can swap it with another coil to see if it's the coil that's bad. There are no wires to them they sit on contacts. Neatest thing ever for diagnosing which cylinders are not firing. If you get a Model T for her, you probably want one with a starter.

[Model A Ron]

Originally Posted by Flathead Fever

I've never owned a Model T, I worked on the neighbor's for him. The first time I rode in a '26 roadster that belonged to a friend of my dad's we were coming down a steep hill at Model T top speed. There was a traffic light at the bottom of the hill. About a 1/4-mile away that light turned yellow, and the driver looked over at me and says, "were already past the point of no return, then it turned red as we were about 1/8 mile away as watched the cars start crossing the intersection. We sailed right on through that red light. I got the impression from the owner that was just part of excitement of driving a Model T.

You must have been in a poor running T that did not have rear brakes. I have a 15 touring with a Warford overdrive and rear disk brakes and I drive with my Model A buddies all the time. I know the T is limited in speed but at 45 many Model A guys are running slower than me.

[the cooch]

I was “around” back when this thread was started, but building V8 cars at the time. I have since gotten a Model A and a Model T and like both more than the hotrods! I can’t help choose between one and the other but I can say for sure that I like the open car wayyyyy more than the closed car. I am letting go of my closed cab pickup in favor of a touring car so I can take four or five people out instead of just two. I have a whopping 4 mile commute so I drive one or the other almost daily when it’s warm and don’t have a preference other than the open top. I’d think living somewhere that accesses slow roads would be a big factor in choosing. The A is way faster, but traffic here is insane these days, so I drive both very slow. Folks seem to like passing and waving at twenty mph but hate to be stuck behind going about the speed limit or even a little over. I guess the A stops better, but all that shifting gets annoying sometimes, knowing that that the T is actually simpler once used to it. Dang, I’m no help, I’m just glad no one’s making me choose!

[Model A Ron]

I like my 29 Model A Phaeton but I find myself driving my 1915 Model T Touring more. The A is a more capable car but once you add rear brakes, and a high compression head the T is good for 35 to 40. If you add a Warford overdrive you can add 10 mph or more to that but lets face it 40 in any model T is pushing the abilities of the car. Regardless the T in my opinion is much more fun to drive and I seem to get much more attention and draw more people when driving one of my T's......people are shocked when I hand crank it and it starts on the first pull.

[petehoovie]

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Originally Posted by Model A Ron

I like my 29 Model A Phaeton but I find myself driving my 1915 Model T Touring more. The A is a more capable car but once you add rear brakes, and a high compression head the T is good for 35 to 40. If you add a Warford overdrive you can add 10 mph or more to that but lets face it 40 in any model T is pushing the abilities of the car. Regardless the T in my opinion is much more fun to drive and I seem to get much more attention and draw more people when driving one of my T's......people are shocked when I hand crank it and it starts on the first pull.

[Model A Ron]

Originally Posted by Gary loves Fords

I have a 1909 Model T (first production year) and a 1927 Model T (last production year) and a 1930 Model A deluxe phaeton. Also 6 more collector cars. The 1927 Model T is the least expensive one in my collection, but by far the most fun to drive

Why is the 27 your top choice for a T? I do like the 26/27 but to me they look more like an A with a T engine and transmission.....not bashing them at all its just I had an A so I got a 15 Touring and then a 24 Coupe. On the Coupe moved the seat back 5 inches by removing the package shelf and moving the gas tank back.... at 6'3'' my 24 now has more room than most modern cars and I love that but I still find the 15 touring a thrill with the top down. In Carolina the Touring is my summer T and the Coupe is my winter T.

[junkbrick]

I am one of the lucky ones who has a wife that enjoys building and riding in all of our cars. We have a 29 roadster, 36 pickup and a 40 Tudor so the "family" has a car to ride in. We went out for a ride a few weeks ago and came across a few "T's"...may have a new "old" addition to the fleet soon

[29spcoupe]

I have a 29 Special Coupe and a brass Model T with an aftermarket runabout body. The A is faster and more comfortable and being closed it is a 3 season car. The T is by far, more fun to drive. John

[Model A Ron]

Originally Posted by 29spcoupe

The T is by far, more fun to drive. John

Could not agree more on this fact. It took me minutes to drive my T for the first time but several months until it became second nature.....after that it was a no brainer on what was more fun to drive. The Model A is wonderful but to me it's the first modern Ford making it the grandfather of cars. The T is the Great Grand Daddy

Maybe its just me but I find the A can overheat on a very hot day (95 to 100f) but I have never had a T overheat and both of my T's have no water pump.....go figure that one out lol