What do you regret?

[Steve Plucker]

What is the worst thing that you did, and can admit to, to a Model A/AA, parts, body, whatever, that you regret doing and if you could do it all over again...you wouldnt?

My deal...I took apart about 4-5 steering columns (7-tooth) about 7 years ago...now I can not figure out what went to the original setups in the begining

Pluck

[Bill G]

Being new to this, I haven't had much time to really screw up much, but I did one thing that is really a bummer. I tried to force off what I thought was a stubborn nut from the armature/ratchet of my Stewart Warner horn. So, I killed my ahooga.

[vern hodgson]

Originally Posted by Steve Plucker

What is the worst thing that you did, and can admit to, to a Model A/AA, parts, body, whatever, that you regret doing and if you could do it all over again...you wouldnt?

My deal...I took apart about 4-5 steering columns (7-tooth) about 7 years ago...now I can not figure out what went to the original setups in the begining

Pluck

Took apart a dozen shocks in the early seventies. No idea what I was doing, put all pieces in five gallon buckets. There they sat, forever.

[Big hammer]

When I painted my frame, rearend,front axle, etc painted them gloss black :-( With time it looks better, but still to shiny

[Railcarmover]

Stuck a prybar in a water neck stud hole to loosen a head,broke the outside of the stud hole,since It wasn't in the water jacket I reassembled...then broke the upper neck torquing the head...fixed the head with belzona,buddy had a used neck, back running. I'm a field mechanic for a construction equipment dealer, I fix a shop mechanics error in front of the customer.It can be a tough situation, it costs all involved money.I go by two rules,always back a brother mechanic,and let the customer vent...then follow through with the comeback repair.

[Railcarmover]

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Stuck a prybar in a water neck stud hole to loosen a head,broke the outside of the stud hole,since It wasn't in the water jacket I reassembled...then broke the upper neck torquing the head...fixed the head with belzona,buddy had a used neck, back running. I'm a field mechanic for a construction equipment dealer, I fix a shop mechanics error in front of the customer.It can be a tough situation, it costs all involved money.I go by two rules,always back a brother mechanic,and let the customer vent...then follow through with the comeback repair.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I REGRET that I got out of BED, today!
Bill WhereamI?

[ursus]

Took my short block to "the most reputable machine shop in the area". The shop foreman snickered about having to work on "that 'ol banger motor" and I still left it with him. I ended up paying a lot for what turned out to be the most shoddy work you can imagine. When I complained he just snickered something to the effect: " what did you expect me to do with an old engine like that?". Never again.

[dmdeaton]

Regret not getting into this hobby earlier in life

[TinCup]

Pulling a stuck head and tearing my rotator cuff.

[Ray in La Mesa]

Tried pounding out a stuck lifter, broke the lifter tower on a perfectly good block. It's amazing how quickly we realize (within seconds) we've done something stupid!

[mike657894]

threw out my vac wiper motor because it wasn't working. within the first few days of the resto. still shaking my head on that one.

[2manycars]

I took a pickup cab to the dump in 1970 because it was rusted at the bottom. An easy fix today, with all the repro parts.

[Bill G]

Originally Posted by dmdeaton

Regret not getting into this hobby earlier in life

I share that regret!

[William Kelchner]

Started it and tried to drive it.....

[SSsssteamer]

I was told that the A motor that I had bought had recently been rebuilt. I rebuilt that A motor with all new valves, springs, guides, 0.040" over rings, etc. It didn't have a ring wear ridge in the cylinders so I assumed from what I was told by the seller, that the cylinder bore didn't have much wear and it was straight. So I didn't measure the cylinder taper. Wrong move... I found out when I started the engine up that the cylinders had too much taper and when cold, the pistons were slapping the walls. The block needed all four cylinders re-bored. What a waste of parts and time! Don't assume anything.

[Barry B./ Ma.]

Had a cracked head and took it to a machine shop in 1980, was charged $80 for stitching, Thats when you could get a good used head for $10. Live and learn.

[caboose]

Don't pry on a Model A fuel gauge for ANY REASON!

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I REGRET turning on the most STUPID, RIDICULOUS movie, the Dog "sed" "Lets watch it"---We DID---------
Bill W.

[H. L. Chauvin]

About 22 years ago, after moving my 1930 coupe from one location to another after having it for 38 years in one location, my wonderful 85 year old Post Mistress neighbor approached me when she saw my Model A back out of my old carriage house garage.

She walked up to me, smiled, and told me she always wanted to have a ride in my Model A, but never asked.

I told her to hop in and took her for a spin.

Something tells me she knew what was about to happen ...... her kin from far away later sold her house and property against her will, and placed her in a nursing home where she died not long after.

Often think about how many young and senior people back then I never offered a ride; where many would have loved to have ridden in a 1930 Model A ......... but they just never asked.

[Mike Peters]

Back in the 90's, I passed up an opportunity to buy a very nice 09 T touring. Everything correct except the oil pan. Original wood body. Been kicking myself ever since.

[Railcarmover]

selling this in 1977 for 2500 bucks..

[Stretch Cab]

Sold my 30 original Town Sedan

[Keith True]

When I was 13 or 14 I let myself get swindled out of a pair of nice front fenders.They were in the barn my A was in,and I was supposed to take anything A.I didn't think they were A because they had a ridge around the front my A didn't.A couple of A guys said they weren't A,because of the ridge,but they could use them on a jalopy.They swapped me a carb for my A because I needed one.Then an older A fellow stopped by and told me those guys were bragging how they had gotten a nice set of eyebrow fenders for nothing from some kid.

[leo]

I rebuilt my brakes doing everything as required except replacing my old steel brake drums which I had turned as you are advised not to do. I'm now taking care of that one omission.

[leo]

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Hey Keith True, I hope they choked on those fenders!

[2manycars]

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

About 22 years ago, after moving my 1930 coupe from one location to another after having it for 38 years in one location, my wonderful 85 year old Post Mistress neighbor approached me when she saw my Model A back out of my old carriage house garage.

She walked up to me, smiled, and told me she always wanted to have a ride in my Model A, but never asked.

I told her to hop in and took her for a spin.

Something tells me she knew what was about to happen ...... her kin from far away later sold her house and property against her will, and placed her in a nursing home where she died not long after.

Often think about how many young and senior people back then I never offered a ride; where many would have loved to have ridden in a 1930 Model A ......... but they just never asked.

I hear that one. I took a 90 year old lady for a ride in my tudor last year, and she told me stories of how she drove a model A to Connecticut Agricultural College (now the University of Connecticut) when she was right out of high school.

[daveymc29]

Traded a sports coupe for a 35 4 door. Should have looked closer at the 35, mostly junk body. Ran okay with 411 rear was slower than my A's.

[prpmmp]

Getting Banned from the HAMB!! (Come on Mark Moriarity, a little forgiveness!) Pete

[jhowes]

I sold my good running coupe in 1952 to my friend for $5.00. I thought that he really wanted a Model A to drive but he took the body off and made a doodle bug out of it. Wrecked a good car that I drove like I had stolen it. Jack

[ronn]

not buying a Duesenberg in the early 70's for 10k.....................

oh right, I was just a kid!

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Barry B./ Ma.

Had a cracked head and took it to a machine shop in 1980, was charged $80 for stitching, Thats when you could get a good used head for $10. Live and learn.

Good Morning, Barry,
I remember that being done, he drilled & tapped & screwed in cast iron plugs & snapped them off. FIRST, he dipped the threaded end in Sulphuric Acid, "maybe" as a thread locker???---Or as a RUST "starter" to plug up the crack????---Surely there was a METHOD TO HIS MADNESS???
Bill Watching

[JBill]

Using foot pounds instead of inch pounds to set bearing pre-load in rebuilding differential, and having to tear it all apart and redo it. Argh!!

[Oldbluoval]

I've been involved with Model A's since I was 14.....turn 70 in October.
I used to scrap parts that would be considered very nice parts today. Any broken, twisted slightly or light surface rust fender was thrown out. Any body part with pinholes....out it went.
Geez Louise, if I had a place to have laid all that back......
Coulda, shoulda, woulda

[5851a]

I have lots of regrets but don't date back as far as Model A's. H.L. Chauvin's post got me to thinking, My wife works at an Assisted Living Facility, the average age there is approx. 90. The residents like doing activities outside the home. What would be the best way to look up a local Model A chapter and contact them. It would be great if one of there fun runs could involve stopping in at the facility and show the A's or maybe even offer a ride.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by ronn

not buying a Duesenberg in the early 70's for 10k.....................

...

[Farrell In Vancouver]

The first roof I ever installed. Doesn't look at all like the last roof I did.

[john charlton]

With a heavy heart I will tell you my spectacular regrets
Regret no.1
Many years ago when I was new to the hobby a local farmer told me he had a combine harvester last used by his father. It had a Ford gasolene/kerosine engine, the combine had not been used in years and was destined to go for scrap . He knew I was into Fords and if I took the engine out I could have it free for nuddinks ,yes you know where this is going !!! .When it dawned on me a while later that most likely it was a "Claas" combine with the German G28T "B" engine in it . Yes I was too slow and the combine was cut up for scrap and yes I was told the engine did have an aluminum oil pan, SOB !!!
Regret no 2
I was at a country fair a few years ago with my 31 AA Truck . A man approached me and told me that on the farm near to him was an old Ford truck he wasnt really sure what model but it was old .I then had a mental picture of a 50/60s truck maybe a Thames Trader a 5 ton truck made by Ford .He gave me the name of the farm and a rough location . Some months later by chance I was passing the farms location and thought I would give this "old truck" a look . The farm was in deepest Norfolk County and would be sure to have a "sooner" about . A "sooner" is a farm dog called a "sooner" because sooner or later it will bite you .This dog is closely related to the the American "junk yard dog" and is of similar temprement that is if it doesnt move it will pee on it ,if it moves it will bite it .Maybe we brought these to USA on the Mayflower. Anyway drove into the farm entrance and was pleased to see "Fido" was safely chained on a long chain connected to his outside kennel . The dogs uproar brought the farmer out to investigate . He was affable when he realised I was not tryng to sell him insurance . Yes he did have a Ford truck and yes it was an AA and yes it did have a steel cab and yes it did run and yes it had been on the farm forever and no he no longer had it . He had gone to a farmers auction and left his son in charge . When he returned the truck had gone . It had been parked next to old farm machinery which was going for scrap . The scrap metal men had arrived to take the scrap and cut up the truck with oxy /acetalyne . The farmer told me his son "did not have a full kit bag" this had happened about a week before and yes I could have bought it for a song MORE SOBS !!!
Regret no 3
I went to an auction where a complete Budd cab AA LWB truck was being sold . I knew the buyer slightly he was a rodder and found he had only bought it for the cab and all sheet metal and of course the title . It had 6 excellent Budd wheels on it far better than my truck but I would have to buy the rolling frame to get them. He had sold the engine but the rest of it was there . He quoted a price which was a bit high and no demand here for a LWB frame . I thought I would wait a while to see if the price had come down . Sadly his wife lost her cool and wanted it out of the driveway . So he called in the scrap man who cut it up and carted it away . I had only missed it by a few days and he gave me the scrapyards telephone number . I phoned them and was told that very morning the truck wheels had been put in car shells a crushed to a cube in a hydraulic compactor . Even MORE SOBS !!!

To sum up lost a G28T engine a running AA truck and 6 Budd truck wheels,axles and transmission . And did I tell you how I dropped a still rotating angle grinder on a near NOS roadster door handle , Oh woe is me !!!

John in weather was cancelled today Suffolk County England .

[Jim M]

Number 1 regret is not saving all the vintage cars I have had in my life starting with a 35 Chevy coupe, then a 40 Ford pickup, and on and on (ooooo still hurts to talk about it)!

Most recent is starting out replacing old parts (mostly nuts/bolts/pins, etc) with new replacement parts before I realized what a mistake I was making.

And last was throwing away all those old nuts/bolts/pins, etc before I REALLY realized what a mistake I had made. Oh well as they say you never stop learning but when do you STOP being stupid??

[iverson]

my dad and uncles model a regret was in 1950 they had a 2door touring that was like new with dual side mounts they kept it in the barn at there junk yard and drove it to lunch and just played with it but wouldn't sell it until a good friend and customer begged and pestered until they sold it to him they never knew it was for his kids 16th birthday then they got to watch the car get slowly destroyed over the summer until he finally totaled it. Then when my uncle got the 28 we still have in 51 they hung onto it. Back then there were lots of nice sedans but nice open cars were hard to find at least in Illinois

[d.j. moordigian]

I passed on this car in about 1972 for $1500., less engine. What was I thinking?

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/1967-...orlds-fastest/

[ronn]

you were thinking you didnt have an extra 1500. laying around..............

[d.j. moordigian]

Originally Posted by ronn

you were thinking you didnt have an extra 1500. laying around..............

Sad to say, I had the money. I also have a 4 cammer,..my "avitar" photo!

[Slowplane]

Originally Posted by john charlton

With a heavy heart I will tell you my spectacular regrets
Regret no.1
Many years ago when I was new to the hobby a local farmer told me he had a combine harvester last used by his father. It had a Ford gasolene/kerosine engine, the combine had not been used in years and was destined to go for scrap . He knew I was into Fords and if I took the engine out I could have it free for nuddinks ,yes you know where this is going !!! .When it dawned on me a while later that most likely it was a "Claas" combine with the German G28T "B" engine in it . Yes I was too slow and the combine was cut up for scrap and yes I was told the engine did have an aluminum oil pan, SOB !!!
Regret no 2
I was at a country fair a few years ago with my 31 AA Truck . A man approached me and told me that on the farm near to him was an old Ford truck he wasnt really sure what model but it was old .I then had a mental picture of a 50/60s truck maybe a Thames Trader a 5 ton truck made by Ford .He gave me the name of the farm and a rough location . Some months later by chance I was passing the farms location and thought I would give this "old truck" a look . The farm was in deepest Norfolk County and would be sure to have a "sooner" about . A "sooner" is a farm dog called a "sooner" because sooner or later it will bite you .This dog is closely related to the the American "junk yard dog" and is of similar temprement that is if it doesnt move it will pee on it ,if it moves it will bite it .Maybe we brought these to USA on the Mayflower. Anyway drove into the farm entrance and was pleased to see "Fido" was safely chained on a long chain connected to his outside kennel . The dogs uproar brought the farmer out to investigate . He was affable when he realised I was not tryng to sell him insurance . Yes he did have a Ford truck and yes it was an AA and yes it did have a steel cab and yes it did run and yes it had been on the farm forever and no he no longer had it . He had gone to a farmers auction and left his son in charge . When he returned the truck had gone . It had been parked next to old farm machinery which was going for scrap . The scrap metal men had arrived to take the scrap and cut up the truck with oxy /acetalyne . The farmer told me his son "did not have a full kit bag" this had happened about a week before and yes I could have bought it for a song MORE SOBS !!!
Regret no 3
I went to an auction where a complete Budd cab AA LWB truck was being sold . I knew the buyer slightly he was a rodder and found he had only bought it for the cab and all sheet metal and of course the title . It had 6 excellent Budd wheels on it far better than my truck but I would have to buy the rolling frame to get them. He had sold the engine but the rest of it was there . He quoted a price which was a bit high and no demand here for a LWB frame . I thought I would wait a while to see if the price had come down . Sadly his wife lost her cool and wanted it out of the driveway . So he called in the scrap man who cut it up and carted it away . I had only missed it by a few days and he gave me the scrapyards telephone number . I phoned them and was told that very morning the truck wheels had been put in car shells a crushed to a cube in a hydraulic compactor . Even MORE SOBS !!!

To sum up lost a G28T engine a running AA truck and 6 Budd truck wheels,axles and transmission . And did I tell you how I dropped a still rotating angle grinder on a near NOS roadster door handle , Oh woe is me !!!

John in weather was cancelled today Suffolk County England .

I think I'd try to befriend that "scrapman" (maybe with a bottle of Jack...)

[harryc]

hcc

[harryc]

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---

[daveymc29]

And another thing. Took my delivery over to the son-in-laws shop to get a paint job and some body work. He's a metal genius. Well that was over 10 years ago. It is primed for the most part and the body is done except for the fenders in the rear. With the Monterey auction over he says he will now have some time to get it done enough that I can sell it.

[31 Model A]

Not having Larry Shepard with me when I bought Sarah but...I didn't know Larry when I bought Sarah but since then both myself and Sarah have spent a lot of time with Larry Shepard and Sarah is in 100% better shape today than when I bought her but my bank account is a bit less paying Larry Shepard to making Sarah into that better shape. All in all though, both myself and Sarah are better off today knowing Larry Shepard.

This has been an unsolicited public service comment regarding buying a Model A without Larry Shepard by your side......it pays to have him or any other Model A mechanic there if you don't know jack shit about the mechanics of Model A Fords.

Ed

[tiger.1000]

Not buying a Ferrari GTO in 1973 for £7000

[pooch]

I regret not getting a model A earlier in life.

And I regret not hotrodding a model A sooner than later.

Not the butchering of bodies, but making it more driveable mechanically at todays speeds.

[midgetracer]

I regret trading a 30 Model A roadster body and frame for a Yamaha snowmobile (used) back in early 70s. A body had no rust and extra doors. I was young and too broke to restore the A.

[HoarseWhisperer]

When acquiring the first Model A, I could not resist the temptation to make it "unique" by adding repro accessories and minor performance modifications, etc. After attending meets and cruise-ins, it didn't take long to realize that a straight unmodified Model A is really the most unique and I regretted making the modifications. Fortunately, what I did change was easily reversed.

[big job]

Dumb an dumer. We all know 33- 34 of any make is big big bucks. My mother worked for a local doctor he gave her this 6,000 mile Plymouth that he drove
his German Shapards around in. Chrysler did not make station wagons.
at this time. This one is not from all the bulders of that time. It is different.
When the Dr died around 1965 mother found bill of sale for a 4dr 33 plymouth.
I have reason to believe this was built locally could be the boat yard. So dumb
ass me & my band of dummies put a coupe body on the thing. The wagon
body went down back and dust to dust.. At 71yrs I have nightmares yet.
worse off a releltivly new 1958 Mercury Park Lane loaded and AC IT WAS A
J code == tri power 400hp and I trashed the manifold air cleaner and put
a 4 barral holly on the thing. Now try and buy that setup never mind even
finding a convertabal Park Lane

[Patrick L.]

I have many regrets, but, not many concerning a Model A.

Not so much of a regret, more a brain fart. The first time I pulled the flywheel off mine for some clutch and clutch cover work, while I working and putting it back together I didn't notice the 3 punch marks on the 'wrong' [ back and front] side of the flywheel and crank flange. I just marked how the flywheel was mounted when I removed it. Apparently the flywheel had been off sometime after the engine rebuild. Later I removed it again and noticed the 3 punch marks where they shouldn't have been [ to my thinking].
The engine never vibrated very much, but, I decided to match the marks when it went back together that time [ 180º different]. It vibrates even less.
I'm trying to remember how I discovered that problem. I think I had the little inspection cover off for some reason [ maybe to tighten the bearings] and noticed the punch marks on the front side of crank flange and turned the engine 180º and noticed the other punch marks. So, that took a half day to R&R everything for a try.
So it was just a matter of putting it back together as it was rather than really looking it over to make sure it was right, or, wrong.

[Bill Lee/Virginia]

In 1977 I passed up a "frame-off restored" 1931 Pick Up Truck for $750. Wife objected, as she called it (attacking our meager savings account for a toy). Balls are larger today!.

Bill Lee/Virginia Peninsula

[nhusa]

I reqret that I didn't spend more time with my dad working on the A and T.
I think of him every time I work on a vehicle.

[kbinde2]

Timely thread.. and my response;

23 Aug 1969, I married the love in my life, forty-eight years in the books.! To aid in financing our new life together moving from upstate NY to NAS Cecil Field, FL.. I decided to sell my '33 3 window (sob).. '58 Pontiac V8 and automatic, everything else was original.! Bought it for $750 and sold it for $850 (sob and kick) I just think now of what it could have become.. Happy now with our '29... and the same beautiful girl I married.!

[Greg Jones]

One regret I have is, when disassembling my car, not saving every last nut and bolt and whatever else thinking, oh that is rusty and a little bent better get new stuff! I throw NOTHING away now...even total junk, I put in a special box marked "junk."

On another note, in 1980 I had an opportunity to buy an all original 1906 Model N for $6K. It was in excellent original condition, and ran. Of course, 6 grand in 1980 was a lot of money but wow, what a find that was. Of course, the regret was that at the time I just did not have six thousand bucks.

[pj's junkers]

Not realizing in the early 60's what parts,, etc. you could still get from Sears, Monkey Ward, Western Auto.and such. Also not buying the 6 phaetons in Dallas for $400. each in 63.

[Bob-A]

Buying my '29 roadster I call the "Clown Car". Hard to explain what happened, but a combination of: trust being taken advantage of, starry
eyed ignorance and more money than brains! The car has turned out to be a big lemon. A very shoddy restoration that I should have noticed before
I bought it.

I broke off part of an uncommon Simmons Swan Manifold trying to do something not so smart. The manifold has been repaired, but it ain't the same.....

Bob-A

[V4F]

not having enough money to keep all the cars ive owned !

[RandyinUtah]

Taking a nice MG TD and pitting chev 327 engine in it. Made junk out of the car.

[marc hildebrant]

Buying this Model A.

Marc

[dennis lumbert]

Not finding this forum before buying repro junk new parts for my car ,(ie). MS shocks

[todd3131]

Not convincing my brother to sell me his Shelby gt500 kr to me instead of the guy he did be cause he didn't want to piss off my father. He got 3500.00 for it in 79 still pissed at him.

[Mendotaman]

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In 1962, I was in my 28 SC on the way to a MAFCA function at Edwards AFB. We were on (then) 2-lane Hwy 6, I think just out of Mint Canyon. For some reason I thought that I could make a u-turn without anyone noticing. Got t-boned. I think of that every time I make such a turn these days.

[700rpm]

Sorry I sold my '28 roadster pickup, but taxes were due, and a man's gotta do what he's gotta do. But a lesson was learned: there are lots of Model A's out there, and having to sell the pickup left a space in the garage that was eventually filled by another A.

Oh, and there was a girl... (there's always a girl) I should have never let get away...

[hazelhoff]

Regret ? Maybe, I spent well over 30.000 restoring my Dad's 1929 Tudor. Well, it's all in the family.

Buying a good driver in the States was not an option ......

[wingski]

I regret not taking the time to talk and explain things to people who were truly interested in my model A’s. Now, I realize that no matter how stupid a question seemed, it wasn’t asked without a reason. I also regret not realizing that I didn’t learn by doing things right, but by doing things wrong and trying not to make the same mistake again. I had many reasons not to look forward to getting old. However, now that I am I realize that age has tremendous benefits. Patience is probably number one.

[burner31]

Waiting until I was over 60 to buy my first Model A

[Ted Duke]

How long a list is acceptable?
-Passed on a nice 35 Ford Tudor for $50 in 1954
-Sold my first car 1951 Chevy BelAir instead of rebuilding engine
-Bought my 29 RDSTR PU in 1970 for $600 and started "saving" it. Should have found another and used this one for parts. (When we get it finished this winter all will be forgiven)
-not buying another Model A or 35-36 to drive all these years.

[Oldbluoval]

Being barely on the cusp of 33-34's. I could not afford to be in them at all now that prices have skyrocketed and parts scarce. 32-34 Ford prices are ridiculous. So, I think when I sell parts and cars I will be worse than ridiculous!!

[1928Pickuppain]

1) Not realizing the gas gauge came out by unscrewing the bezel and prying and ruining a mint tank
2) Not realizing Model As have a different pitch thread then modern bolts and tapping the top of my autolight heater
3) Probably the worst taking a whole bunch of extra parts to the flee market to make money to fund my build and selling what i thought was a 4 speed tyranny from something else but was really that really rear tranny with the overdrive for $40 and selling a model B carburetor i didn't think would work for an A for $5. Also two extra exasust pipes i could really use right now for dirt cheep! all within the first 2 months of getting into the hobby. Live and learn i guess haha.

[cradlescyth]

Would have bought my A coupe sooner!!!!!!

[rocket1]

Brought my original to the car block to a cast iron specialist to weld a crack,stupid me he would not give me an estimate,I gave him a $150.00 deposit.I stopped by a couple of times to pick it up,not ready,I get a letter and he wants another $150.00,he still has the block and he can keep it,lesson learned the hard way.

[midgetracer]

In college I traded a 30 roadster that was in my family for years for an old Yamaha snowmobile. It was nearly 30 years later that I was able to afford another 30 roadster. Now I own two.

[jimalabam]

Chavin: Great. We ALL should remember to offer rides, to the young and old. Jim...

[dean from bozeman]

I bought my first Model A, a '29 Tudor, the summer before my junior year in high school. My dad said, 'Drive it. Have fun.'

I said, 'No, dad. Guys in the club do frame off restorations.'

I took the Tudor apart, restored the chassis, did all the body work and went to college and never did the final coat of paint or reassembled it.

Years later, after it stayed in a garage by my dad's for 35 years, I went back to retrieve it and found that someone had stolen everything except for the chassis and the shell of the body.

So I never really drove the Tudor that I bought with money I earned throughout grade school and two years of high school. I regret not listening to my dad.

[jb-ob]

Dean,


The older I got, the smarter my Father got.


JB

[nhusa]

I regret not working more often with my dad on his Model T and A that I now own.
Also regret not moving them to my garage earlier.

At least I feel as if my dad is with me everytime I work on them.

[[email protected]]

I regret selling my perfectly original 1932 B five-window for $150.

[lake_harley]

I get mad at myself for not coming back from Atlanta with an empty trailer rather than paying what I now think was too much for the Model A I bought. I suppose I was too interested in getting the deal done and getting back on the road rather than really looking at the car objectively to see how cobbled together it was. Buyer beware!!


Lynn

[woofa.express]

Originally Posted by jb-ob

Dean,


The older I got, the smarter my Father got.


JB

yeh, I like that one. gary

[woofa.express]

Originally Posted by dean from bozeman

I bought my first Model A, a '29 Tudor, the summer before my junior year in high school. My dad said, 'Drive it. Have fun.'

I said, 'No, dad. Guys in the club do frame off restorations.'

I took the Tudor apart, restored the chassis, did all the body work and went to college and never did the final coat of paint or reassembled it.

Years later, after it stayed in a garage by my dad's for 35 years, I went back to retrieve it and found that someone had stolen everything except for the chassis and the shell of the body.

So I never really drove the Tudor that I bought with money I earned throughout grade school and two years of high school. I regret not listening to my dad.

read JB-OB, submission #79

[woofa.express]

What do I Regret.

Well it’s purchasing things for my kids that I think they either want or need. It took me years to figure out it’s best to support them with what they want.

First regret. The case in mind is my vintage cars. 4 in all, 3 A’s and a locally produced Holden FX. I have always loved the A, since I was a kid and figured my kids should each have one.Well that wasn’t a good thought process. They have their own interests and they weren’t vintage cars. In addition I had made for each of them a heavy beautifully crafted dinning table and chairs. Again, my taste wasn’t the same as theirs. An antique dealer told me it is quite usual for kids not to want their parents possessions. He said it is the grandkids who do want it. So salvation looks likely for me at the end of the tunnel.

There is a second regret. My first purchase was a Tourer (Phaeton) in pretty poor shape.It cost a fortune to restore. I purchased it simply because I just had to have an A. A bit like a spoiled kid. I wish I had known there was a specialised club that would have helped me, even though it was a long way from home.

In summary I wish I had sort help. One A and one dinning set was all that I needed.

Whilst we are all wise in retrospect I don’t dwell on the above. However I do love each of my children, the Tourer, the Pickup and the Roadster. I do love the Holden as well but it is an orphan. No, not the same blood line.

[CarlG]

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Scrapping my first vehicle: 1931 AA 280A. It was just an old underpowered truck in the '50's.

[Terry, NJ]

What I regret? Now let me see,
Not saving much of anything, I junked a lot of stuff that would be valuable today.
Selling my 47 Crosely, selling my TR3 (That was a "Fun Car!"), Selling My 47 Merc. convertible! Selling a 46 Ford coupe, Selling my 1931 Harley Davidson. Giving away my 59 Edsel Corsair convertible! My mother was screaming at me "When are you gonna get rid of that Car!" Anyone have a mother like that? another "Fun Car" Selling my 56 Packard cause it had no title, AARRGGGHHH!Selling my 1957 Buick that was factory Stick! Man, That 364 was fast, it could pass anything but a gas station! Letting my cousin's tractor be sold at a farm auction, It was a running, working John Deere, 1937 Model B that he had bought new. It went for $900. Not buying a 1936 Graham-Paige, in perfect condition for $500 (Who wants a stupid flat head 6 with the lamest looking supercharger on it?) And so it goes......
Terry