My new 1930 2-dr sedan

[atch]

Wahooooo!!!

I've been working on this deal for three months. Actually the lawyers have been doing the work and I've been twiddling my thumbs. My friend Dick died about 4 months ago. When he was terminally ill he gave instructions to Brigitte as to what to do with his Model A's, Corvette, boat, and a bunch of other man toys. Brigitte knew that I have liked the 2-dr for a long time. After Dick's funeral she contacted me to see if I wanted to buy it. I jumped at the chance. I've been looking for a $6-8K beater/driver 2-dr for several years now. The ones that were priced in what I considered my budget were junk. Some that looked really great in pictures and sounded like the price was right also turned out to be worth way less than the asking price. If you're selling it it's a $10K car; if you're buying the same car it's a $5K car. You all know the drill. Well, Dick had given Brigitte two prices for his stuff. One (retail) if it went to a stranger and a highly discounted price if it went to a friend, especially a MMMARC club member (see further on down). I got the smoking hot buddy price and bought it even though it was WAY nicer and quite a bit more expensive than what I thought I was looking for. I paid for it in early May but had to wait for probate to get the title into Brigitte's name so that she could sell it to me. That culminated yesterday and now it's mine. Title is in my name. Insurance folks have taken pix. I drove it about 50 miles today. Now the world is spinning in greased grooves (bonus points to you if you know what movie that came from).

So I learned a lot today before and while driving it. I now know where both of the fuel valves are. I know where the master electrical shut-off is. I have relearned how to double clutch. It's been over 60 years since I had to do that in the old 1948 3/4 ton Dodge farm truck we had back then. I know where the starter button is. I know that the 40 mph curves you take at 55 in your late model are 30-35 mph curves in a Model A. I know what to do with and how to shift a Mitchell overdrive.

If you're reading this in the model A section of the Ford Barn you undoubtedly know WAY more than I do about Model A's. Before I test drove this thing three months ago I had never driven a Model A. Between that day and today I never had the chance to drive one. I've got a lot to learn. Also you'll notice that I mentioned some things that didn't come on Model A's from the factory. Dick couldn't leave well enough alone. It's also 12V now.

I'll be asking a ton of questions about these cars.

Note that I am this year's president of the Mid Missouri Model A Restorers' Club. That even though I don't know squat about them. I joined the club about 5-6 years ago (before Covid) when I inherited a half-done '31 Model A hot rod project. I thought (correctly) that the club members could give me pointers about the body of the hot rod that needed some attention. As time wore on I got more and more enamored with stock Model A's and decided that I really needed one. It was kind of a bummer following a bunch of "A"s on tours driving a late model. While it was nice to follow along in air-conditioned comfort utilizing the cruise control it just left an empty feeling down inside. Note: I've followed this and other Model A's all over central Missouri in the past few years. Anyway, I've gotten to know the club members and they have become friends. And now I can cruise along in my very own model A.

I'm ecstatic.

When I got the title yesterday I made it TOD (transfer on death) to one of my daughters. I had to cash in some invested money to pay for this. The money is money that Allison would have inherited when I die anyway so basically I bought it with her money. Note: some of you know about Clarence, my 1948 Ford panel truck that I bought it in February of 1973. I spent a wheelbarrow full of money on it recently. Same thing there. It goes to the other daughter when I die and I paid for those improvements the same way. With money that Meredith would have inherited. When she was in high school nearly 30 years ago I let her drive it to school a few times she told me then that she wanted it someday. Well, I consider it hers and the Model A Allison's. They are just letting me drive them while I'm still kicking. They didn't get any say-so in the matter, though. Allison has never seen her Model A but she has seen pix of it. She, her husband, and their two sons are excited about it and someday owning/driving it. We wanted them to come to dinner today and see it but they are at the Wisconsin Dells this week. Her loss. They will see it when they get home.

Anyway, this is my initiation into the Model A world. I'm about to learn what you all have known for a long time. I'll add some pix. Some in front of a friend's shop and a couple beside my house & shop.

First question: it's got those aftermarket hood brackets that allow you to raise either or both sides of the hood and let them sit in the "cradle". Is it detrimental to leave the hood open like that while in the garage? I ask because the electric switch is under the hood on the driver's side and the second gas shut off is under the passenger side hood. If it won't hurt anything I'll just leave the hood propped open when garaged. If it could hurt anything I'll shut it every time when inside.


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