Seriously Drive NJ to Gettysburg?

[klawockvet]

I have driven model A's in all states of repair many many miles. Some of them back in the day were pulling trailers. In the summer of 2015 I drove my roadster over 3000 miles generally cruising at 55 to 60, much of it on dirt roads between Missouri and California on the Pony Express Trail. I can't believe the number of people who worry about driving these cars. People have driven Fords from coast to coast in all conditions ever since Henry changed the world with the invention of the Model T.

[Special Coupe Frank]

Before you try to do 60 MPH all day in your Model A, you might want to make sure everything is at factory spec.

If you're driving tired-iron, better keep your foot out of it and hang around 40-50 MPH.

There's plenty of US Routes and WPA two-lanes to get you to Gettysburg and back.

Depending on where you are in Central Jersey (what's your nearest town?), if you can get to US Rte 30 ( The Lincoln Highway ), that'll take you all the way across southern PA, and right into Gettysburg.

I know Old Henry touted that "the new Ford" was capable of 60 MPH, and I'm sure it was for short sprints. I think this was a calculated bet on Old Henry's part: in 1928-'31 there were not enough good roads capable for driving at 50-60 MPH for hours on end. AND Model A parts were cheap and plentiful then.

Ultimately, it's your car... engine rebuilds are anywhere between $2,500 > $5,000 if you blow it up.

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by Special Coupe Frank

Before you try to do 60 MPH all day in your Model A, you might want to make sure everything is at factory spec.

If you're driving tired-iron, better keep your foot out of it and hang around 40-50 MPH.

There's plenty of US Routes and WPA two-lanes to get you to Gettysburg and back.

I know Old Henry touted that "the new Ford" was capable of 60 MPH, and I'm sure it was for short sprints. I think this was a calculated bet on Old Henry's part: in 1928-'31 there were not enough good roads capable for driving at 50-60 MPH for hours on end. AND Model A parts were cheap and plentiful then.

Ultimately, it's your car... engine rebuilds are anywhere between $2,500 > $5,000 if you blow it up.

Yep its all about common sense and listening to your car..

[Chippy Minton]

Have you read the around the World thread? If not search for it, India is a good keyword to search for. At the present time their Model A is in a container en-route between Eastern Australia and Panama. It has Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle East, India and Australia behind it already. Your trip? Straightforward.
If your A is fit for a 50 mile round trip it will be fine for 250. Once the engine is up to temperature, you know it isn't leaking oil and water and all is fine it's much healthier to keep going than stopping the engine, letting it cool down and starting all over again. Personally I'd stick to the back roads and travel at 40mph rather than being a 50mph rolling roadblock on the Interstate where everything else is travelling faster. Take the back roads and enjoy the trip.

[captndan]

Originally Posted by eagle

If I'm in a hurry I'lol push 50 but usually run about 45 or so. Listen to your A mine tells me that 60 for very long would wreck it. My engine is very good but I want it to stay that way. I don't drive my modern car all out either, my pickup has 240,000 on it and I still consider it almost new. The distance won't affect the A, as long as you drive it reasonably and safely.

Yes listen to your A. It will tell you where the sweet spot is. My coupe is 45mph and the Tudor is 50.

[Mitch//pa]

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PQTfs9ti8R0

[Kurt in NJ]

In 1933 one of the oil companies did a La to Phoenix " test" averaging over 60 mph for the trip in a 65,000 mile stock A after doing 500 miles on the salt flats non stop only modification xtra fuel tank, I doubt that the trip was on what we would call a improved road--- and I wouldn't want to have been the observer riding in the back seat

[J Franklin]

In the old days if you blew the engine (or anything else) every garage wanted your business, that has changed, 60 MPH at your peril. Remember you have to stop also.

[Special Coupe Frank]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

In 1933 one of the oil companies did a La to Phoenix " test" averaging over 60 mph for the trip in a 65,000 mile stock A after doing 500 miles on the salt flats non stop only modification xtra fuel tank, I doubt that the trip was on what we would call a improved road--- and I wouldn't want to have been the observer riding in the back seat

Why pound-on a vehicle that is now nearly 90 years old ?

If a given A is in "factory spec" condition, that is one thing... if it isn't, I believe that cruising at 60 MPH is playing Russian Roulette.

[John_Carter]

There are a lot of nice roads going across southern PA between Gettysburg and NJ - you should definitely do it!
These pictures were taken on my way back home to NJ last fall:

[Mike V. Florida]

For the meet in NY this past Sept we had drivers from Canada come down.

[Aok]

I also live in central NJ Hopefully exit 6 on the turnpike will be fixed by then I was in pa last weekend picking up another vehicle, out by harrisburg, not a model A and it was a mess traffic wise I went over the burlington bridge and came back over the ben franklin .

[msmaron]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I drove my 28 Phaeton 250 miles and stayed off interstate highways. I drove 42 to 45 the whole way and got 22 MPG. I don't like to push any engine.

When I drove my 1999 Olds 88 the 750 miles to Scottsbluff last Friday, I drove 55 to 60 the entire trip, and got 33 to 34 MPG.

In 1970 I drove my 1950 Studebaker from El Paso to MPLS, 1500 miles in 24 hours. Drove non stop except to fill with gas, and I would never try that stunt again.

Drive the scenic roads and enjoy the drive.

Drove to French Lick, interstate at about 60mph and got 21mph...was great, took to Niagara went scenic AND Intestate....average at 55...TOM BABY 42 miles an hour....common my buddy...lets drive that A!!!!

[Jim Mason]

I remember I Bought a stored A in 1974. spent 3 days on brakes, flush, fluids. drove 254miles home, 22mpg, averaged 43mph. carry a cell phone, spare tire, whatever you feel is the weak link and go make a story you can tell....
Feel free to start it "I remember I....

[msmaron]

Originally Posted by jim mason

i remember i bought a stored a in 1974. Spent 3 days on brakes, flush, fluids. Drove 254miles home, 22mpg, averaged 43mph. Carry a cell phone, spare tire, whatever you feel is the weak link and go make a story you can tell....
Feel free to start it "i remember i....

love that!!!!:d

[Jim Mason]

Everybody worries that something isn't going to go perfect. the good stories are the ones about the trip with the problems. mine for example. If I had driven all that way with out incident it's just a series of facts. when I add:
I started out the car had no power. couldn't pull an incline to save it's life. I stopped listened, it would idle great, I could even advance the gas it still sounded good. started out again and zip for power. stopped raised the hood and 2 plugs were dancing in the head. the old copper gaskets were compressed. I over tightened the plugs a bit and took off. 50 on the speedometer no problems with hills. 5 miles later the exhaust rusted through just past the manifold and from there back fell off. car filled with exhaust. I rolled down all 4 windows, took ot the front floor boards and completed the trip with my left foot on the firewall, and my right on the clutch housing.
That is a much better story....
So I wish you all eventful journeys..

[bettlesr]

I've driven mine from North Jersey to Leesburg, VA for a show getting on route 222 in Allentown cross country to route 30 in Lancaster through Gettysburg on route 15 or 78 to 81 to 15 through Gettysburg on the highway all the way. Unless you have a good engine, brakes etc and maybe overdrive, stick to the back roads, they are beautiful.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by msmaron

Drove to French Lick, interstate at about 60mph and got 21mph...was great, took to Niagara went scenic AND Intestate....average at 55...TOM BABY 42 miles an hour....common my buddy...lets drive that A!!!!

But, Mark, you have a rebuilt engine and overdrive. Now, as Paul Harvey would say, "you know the rest of the story".

[Ed Saniewski]

Jim Mason is right, it is the trip with problems that make for a great adventure and stories later on. If all else fails, AAA will get you home.

[Special Coupe Frank]

Great Pics Jim !

Thanks for sharing !

Interstates these days are white knuckle, even in a modern vehicle.