Riding my Ford Model A across USA

[bikemaniac]

Hi,

I touched the topic before, but now things are getting a bit more serious:

Background:
I want to drive my old rusty, banged up Ford Model A across USA with some simple tools and spares in the trunk and just see what happens along the road. The main idea is to make road side fixes with available spares. If my radiator fails I plan on getting a modern radiator from a scrap yard and attach it in front of the original one with strips and so forth (one example). I have bicycled 4 times across USA with my tent and sleeping bag so I am fairly experienced. I have never driven a Ford A before on a long distance - it is still min my garage and being fixed but I am keen to take up the challenge.

Reason:
For the hell of it and because I need adventure. Life is filled with too much internet, social media - I need to get back to the basics of life.

Logistics:
Because I live in Denmark, the car is being shipped with a roro ferry from Bremerhaven in Germany to New York (Newark). There are 2 unloadings each month as I remember and shipping will take 10 days. The car is registered on Danish license plates but I contacted Hagerty and they can insure it without problems for 1-2 months. The plan is to sell the car in USA after completion of my trip and thus I need to pay some import tax - unfortunately, because I am not taking the car with me again as a tourist.

Time and duration:
Summer 2015 and a duration of approx 1 month.

Route:
I am looking at 2 route options.
a) The Lincoln Highway from New York to San Fransisco. https://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/map/ This is considered the easy option.
b) The Transamerica Trail with a special connection from New York/DC to the beginning in Virginia and ending in Oregon http://www.transamtrail.com/ This is considered the difficult option because: It is a motorcycle off road route following as many dirt roads as possible crossing America. This route will be the closest to what the Ford Model A experienced in the days when it was produced in the 1930s. So I consider it somehow very authentic. I am very sure that nobody has ever done that route in a Ford A. I know for sure there is an impassable small section somewhere in Colorado, otherwise the rest should be doable. It should be the greatest experience of a lifetime. BUT it will be extremely rocky. The nice thing about this route is that gas stations and motels are distributed evenly along the route.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lys6_-f1QZQ long video - use scroll.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AObw4sFMdQ

Tracking:
To make the trip memorable and very interactive I am strongly considering the following:

Make a webpage where my route incl coordinates are logged automatically and in real time. At the same time I want to be able to upload pictures to the page using my tablet/smartphone. When family and friends AND of course fordbarners visit my page they should be able to see my exact position at all times and they can basically follow my journey. So every tie you come back to your computer the dot should have moved a bit West. When I meet people along the road I make pictures of them in front of the car and upload them to show small town america to everybody. I also consider that everybody who is interested and tag his/her name on my car for future luck and at the end the car is covered with names from all over America. I also consider putting the name of my webpage on the car so people can see my webpage when passing by using their smart phones - to see whats going on with that banged up rusty car amongst all those korean car that now fill the streets :-).

I also consider, but I don´t know if it is too pushy, to add some form of donation by means of paypal or some modern smart phone paying system. The idea is to donate "1 gallon of fuel" or donate 1 dollar for my expenses. I think that if people consider my journey being cool, it will not be a problem.

Hitchhiking:
I will try to pick up as many people as possible to give them the experience of driving such a vintage car. But maybe nobody wants to drive with me because the majority of Americans are obsessed with security, airbags, anti blocking brakes etc :-).

Meeting up:
All fordbarners along the route are welcome to join for as long as they want, but once my route and time plan is set there will be almost no deviation - except for breakdowns.

Question to fordbarners:
1. Any comments and suggestions to my adventure?
2. Does anybody have Ford A dirt road experience? How bad is it really? Is the transam trail a total no go?
3. Any fordbarner who could pick up the Ford A in Newark? The car has to pass through customs and needs to be picked up. I can do it myself but I am worried that there might be a problem with the paperwork and then the car is impounded for another week and that could be critical for the time plan. The thing is I am not into American customs regulations and their fancy rules - I just need a quick and rapid solution and get the car out on the streets and start driving. I know there are agents in the port who deal with this - I just need to be 100% sure that the car is ready for driving when I arrive.
4. I really like the idea of GPS tracking and making my trip interactive for people who are genuinely interested. But I also realize there might be a safety issue: Everybody can see online where I am and might harm me and the car - maybe because they don´t approve of me or whatever. For instance if a local sees my car, logs into the webpage and can see the motel I am staying at and starts harassing me. I don´t know if I am paranoid - but what do you think? Should I restrict access to the webpage or should it be fully open. I also do realize that a local newspaper might be interested and wants to do an interview.
5. If somebody could spare an imperial socket spanner set and a jack I would be happy because the car needs to be empty on the roro ship :-).

Lucas

[ricklove]

Good for you!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep us posted on dates and routing info.

[marc hildebrant]

Lucas,


Since you are asking for comments...here's mine.

I would start by performing a complete checkout and repair of your car before you send it to USA. I would carry the books by Andrews and the service bulletins with you.

In short, I would have as my goal no roadside fixes on my trip and just want to "see" the beauty of this nations landscape and people as my first goal and use the Model A as a conversation starter with as many people as I could.

However, if your goal is to "challenge" yourself then by all means check the fluid levels and start the car in Newark. With a breakdown on the road in a major metro area you will have many life experiences that will be both good and bad.

Marc

[DougVieyra]

You will also need TWO indispensable books:
1. MEMBERSHIP ROSTER of the Model A Ford Club of America
2. MEMBERSHIP ROSTER of the Model A Restorer's Club

These two books will be an invaluable source for both mechanical repair AND for social networking. A very large part of the Model A experience is meeting and enjoying the company of other like-minded people. For example, if you make it to Eureka, Calif, you would have a free stay (for both lodging, and repair if needed). I am sure you will find other offers along the road. Eureka is home to the Giant Redwood trees, and the largest Victorian Seaport on the West Coast.

Dirt roads won't be a problem for the Ford Model A. Thirty years ago I drove 10,000 miles to the Northern part of Alaska (from California); of which about 1,000 miles were on gravel roads. On my ranch I drive all the dirt roads with my Ford Model A. (pictured on Avitar to left of this post)

Language won't be a problem, as almost everyone in America speaks Danish as a Second Language, and a great many people, especially the older ones, speak English (well, "American"). But judging from your Forum writing skills I suspect that you are either an ex-pat. or a well-educated English speaker.

[PC/SR]

Sounds like a great trip. Go for greatness and take the difficult route. I'll throw in a few bucks.
Model A's were litterally built for dirt roads. Dont worry about that. Get the best tires available. A 4 speed transmission would help on the rock climbing, it will climb anything. Spent my teenage years driving a 4 speed coupe all over logging trails. West of the Rockies it can get lonely so don't count on scrap yards. They are getting hard to find, and bad things usually happen where there is no help.

[700rpm]

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Originally Posted by DougVieyra

You will also need TWO indispensable books:
1. MEMBERSHIP ROOSTER of the Model A Ford Club of America
2. MEMBERSHIP ROOSTER of the Model A Restorer's Club

These two books will be an invaluable source for both mechanical repair AND for social networking. A very large part of the Model A experience is meeting and enjoying the company of other like-minded people.

Dirt roads won't be a problem for the Ford Model A. Thirty years ago I drove 10,000 miles to the Northern part of Alaska (from California); of which about 1,000 miles were on gravel roads. On my ranch I drive all the dirt roads with my Ford Model A. (pictured on Avitar to left of this post)

Language won't be a problem, as almost everyone in America speaks Danish as a Second Language, and a great many people, especially the older ones, speak English (well, "American"). But judging from your Forum writing skills I suspect that you are either an ex-pat. or a well-educated English speaker.

Roster. Chickens aren't much help.

[BudP]

Know where the major Model A suppliers are with respect to your chosen route. You may need a critical part fast. Additionally, it might be educational from a Model A perspective to stop at one or two of them, e.g., Berts in the Denver area.

[mshmodela]

For the hell of it is reason enough! Look forward to reading about your trip!

[Tom Wesenberg]

Make Bert's in Denver part of your trip. They will have almost any Model A part you could need, and even if you don't need a part, the visit will be worth the stop.

[Mike V. Florida]

Sounds like a dream trip!

[Fullraceflathead]

Good Luck to You!!!
I think that would be a Wonderful way to Enjoy The Ford Model A!!!
You might be Surprised to make the Journey without any Breakdowns!!!

[Rich in Tucson]

Contact Sammy Guthrie at AZ Model A, Chandler, AZ (1-480)-782-0266 for info about car shipping and clearing Customs; Juggler is here now and knows the ropes.

I may be able to put you up overnight if you come through Tucson to see a Third World city, but bring your bike because by then cars may be prohibited outright by our local authorities or impracticable because of the let-them-return-to-desert policy of our local governments with regard to roads (bike paths galore though!).

[Rich in Tucson]

Forgot to mention, I have considerable off-road experience in my A on decent single and double track dirt roads, mostly National Forest and ranch roads including some in our Patagonia Mountains, but it is slow going and navigation can be a problem without GPS, good maps, and timely information. I have safely been through areas where 4 wheel drive is typically necessary in a modern vehicle.

A few years ago I set out to cross a range south of Tucson (near Elephant Head) on marked Forest roads but did not realize that a 40 foot or so section of it went through private property (not indicated on the maps) and the rancher had erected an impassable barrier because he was fed up with the bad manners (like leaving livestock gates open) of the Border Patrol who used it watch (but not interdict) smugglers transiting through...the Forest Service info to this day says it is open. New roads also appear out of nowhere in some places due to smugglers....so get a good GPS.

[Kenwood]

Some of us in the US run alternators instead of generators. They seem to have less problems.
A lot of people have installed another taillight on the rear fender, turn signals, seatbelts, spare tire or innertube.
Before you reach our shores with your A I would be sure that all lights, horn, brakes, etc are in good working order.
And don't forget the bailing wire and duct tape. Enjoy your adventure. Ken

[KR500]

If possible take an interested friend, and Good luck.

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by DougVieyra

Language won't be a problem, as almost everyone in America speaks Danish as a Second Language,.

Didn't you mean to say "Spanish"??

[DougVieyra]

P.S. - "Didn't you mean to say "Spanish"??
_____________________________________________

No, I did not. I meant Danish.
Don't they speak Danish in your part of the country ?

If he had been from Ireland, I would have said 'Gaelic'.
If he had been from the Vatican, I would have said 'Latin'.
But he was writing from Denmark, so I said 'Danish'.

Here in Southern California I have never heard "Spanish" spoken.

- Doug Vieyra, Solvang, CA

[Charlville]

Brilliant, great advice in the other posts, I'd also let the TV channels such as Discovery & Nat Geo know what you are doing, plus the local news stations along the way?

[pgerhardt]

You might want to contact the Travel Channel as they might underwrite the entire trip. However having a camera crew and producer come along would change the trip from fun to work - never mind!

[MrBruce]

Wow! Make sure you have some modern media to keep us posted on your trip. Get a MAFCA and MARC roster so you have people if you need help along the way.