The 1930 Ford Model A Is the Best Way to Appreciate Modern Cars
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- čas přidán 25. 01. 2019
- It’s easy to expect a lot from automakers these days, but if you want to appreciate anything you’ve ever driven, the 1930 Ford Model A is the car to drive. In the same way I’d want someone to play Atari games to be grateful for what an Xbox One has to offer, everyone should drive one of these to truly be thankful for where we are today.
As always, feedback is welcomed. I'm a CZcamsr in training, so go easy on me. Thanks for watching!
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Thank you, Francis, for letting me drive this grandpa of a car.
“Altek” intro animation and video thumbnail by Gary Doodles.
“Altek” intro music by Tommy Sica
Equipment Used:
Video - Nikon D5600/GoPro Hero 3+/GoPro Hero 7
Audio - Zoom H4N Pro
Video Editing Software - Adobe Premiere CC
Who am I?
I’ve been an IT guy for the last 15 years with a serious passion for tech and all things automotive. From motherboards to combustion engines, I find happiness in anything that powers on or throws you back in your seat with the fierceness of a Greek god. - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Model A was built from 1928 to 1932
There is no “1934” model A as told in the first talk of the movie
I had said "1930 Ford Model A" which sounded like "1934 Model A". I'll pin this to clear up further confusion.
Listen to the post again. He never mentioned a 1934 Model A. At 0.16 he says" here we have a 1930 Ford Model A & they DID only run from 1928 to 1931. In 1932, the Series 18 V8 came out along with the B model 4 cylinder which was a different car to the A model in that it had different wheels, a bigger 4 cylinder engine that produced 50HP & had a rear petrol tank. I have the very last 1931 Ford A Model Briggs Town sedan, along with the Vicky & A400. Model B's came out in 1932 because dealers could not sell them after the Flathead V8 made an appearance. Those are the facts.
@@Altek1 I think the smarter people knew what you said Alex. If you do another video , mention what I've already said about these Model A's & the "Acillies Heel" of the car.....the crash transmission & the low gear ratios in the box plus the final drive diff. Great video all the same.
He did say '1930 Ford' quickly which I suppose would sound like 1934 to non native English speakers.
All of this has taught me to speak a tad bit more clearly, and for that, I thank you all!
I would 100% watch a show with just you two bickering like an old married couple.
Haha he was a great guest and had no problem picking on me. If I have a chance to get Francis on my channel again, I sure will. Thanks for watching bud!
"I'm gonna get into first gear, first try"
Trans: Nope
Haha you said it
@RedGaming Studio transmission
Trans: Im bout to end this whole mans career
It's because he didn't eat his cereal.
Hahah I never saw this, fricken brilliant
I absolutely love how they verbally spar like an old married couple
Alex Smith i dont love fancy words
Ithmiths verbally spar isn’t really that fancy
@@hunnerd4566 It confused me...... And I've had Model A's and a Model T.
The Model A was the first Ford you could drive like a regular modern stick shift car. The controls are familiar...accelerator, brake, shifter, steering, clutch, handbrake. Aside from the lack of power steering, power brakes, and synchros on the shifter, you can still drive a Model A on modern back roads no problem and keep up with modern traffic. The Model T, on the other hand, you need a degree in rocket science to drive the thing. It's an art form.
Haha you can't shift with a stick
@@unclefrank322 What I said in no way implies that. I simply noted it might be difficult for someone not accustomed to double-clutching to adjust to driving a manual car without synchronizers on the transmission without grinding gears at first. My daily is an F100 with a 3 on the tree, so if I was bad at shifting, I would have burned out the clutch in short order. Still kickin.
Back then, if you wanted to drive a Model T, you needed a different driver's license in many places, because the controls were just so unique even compared to other cars at the time.
@@joshn938 I agree but I had just watched an episode of the grand tour before this
Caddilac first built the modern 3 pedal, stick, and release/engage clutch long before Ford or Austin adopted them. Add to that the electric starter. By the end of the T era, the car seemed quite quirky until Ford finally relented to the driving mechanics of the rival developer in the final T. Henry Ford started with Caddilac and then sold his interest and built The Ford Motor Company to build cheaper cars as his niche.
Back in the day when no one got anywhere in a hurry. But took way more skill to get there.
I can imagine a lot of people trying to drive then saying screw it, where's my horse.
I've driven one, it's a challenge. Being proficient in driving a manual helps, because it's a lot of challenge. Everything takes finesse.
@@Altek1 My uncle had one, and his uncle (who was 92 then) had some great comments to make when he drove it.
During the winter, many simply didn't drive. If they did, they frequently replaced the liquids in the cooling system for something with a lower specific temp than the water inside; some would run their cars with kerosene for coolant to keep the engine temps up. This also helped to defrost your windows.
Driving legitimately made you tired, and most people AND engines could only manage a few hours before needing breaks. He claimed for most trips around 2 hours he would bring at least a friend or two, and his spares pile included plugs, several quarts of oil, and extra gas from a good station- quality was so all over the map even in the 50s that problems would occur just from visiting a station with watered-down fuel. De-carboning the heads on those was also a quarterly ritual with mineral spirits and scotchbrite.
All his stories made me realize- people from the Great Depression and World War 2 have no fear of death.
@@girthquake1413 No fear of death is putting in mildly. In 1932 the model A came with an optional v8 that could hit 90mph top speed. Imagine flying down the freeway in the coffin on wheels. You would have to be literally insane to order that engine in a model A.
@@Novusod Right? Hell, even this 4-pot had an absurd amount of aftermarket. There was a roadster from this era on Jay Leno where there were advertised heads to do 40 horsepower- but 140 lb feet of torque! Heck, some guys just to burn enough fuel would mount multiple generators for as much spark as possible, making mini GMA welders out of plugs. Madness!
Shocked how cheap it was even adjusted for inflation.
All thanks to the assembly line with the Model T. I still can't believe how many they pumped out in 5 years.
When you consider how little it took to build them, it makes a little bit of sense. No technology, no A/C, no heat, no safety equipment, no anything.
Henry Ford started his company with putting a car in every man's hands mentality. Until Ford cars were a luxury for the rich. Henry Ford made them available for everyone! We all owe our automotive ownership to Henry Ford's dream to give the everyday working folk a car!! I'm proud to say I own an A model. They are wonderful cars that were really built to last a lifetime. This is why they are so many around after 90 years. They were built exceptionally well for the time and the technology while crude by today's standards show that simplicity increases reliability as well as durability. These cars were built to be rebuilt by the owner as needed and last a lifetime. This was before the auto industry took on the belief of changing your car like you change your clothes. Driving one of these is very much like driving a motorcycle in that you must be constantly aware of your surroundings.
Electronics. If we still made cars drive by wite, with a carburetor, manual transmissions, and all mechanical gauges theyd be cheap
@@Thoroughly_Wet If I remember correctly Tata in India makes a no frills cheap car for around the same price (adjusted for inflation) as the model A, but it can't be sold here due to safety regulations.
Driving vintage vehicles is always such an experience
It really is, my only other experience had been 60's cars, this took it to a whole other level. I'm very curious to drive a Model T now, those controls are wild.
I daily drive a 60's car and it's quite the experience, especially now that the kickdown works and it makes more fun noises. I'd like to have car reviewers like Altek or RCR drive my car when it's finished, but it has a long way to go. New seats being done in November, until then I'll keep daily driving it, ironing out all the kinks and minor unreliabilities, and finishing the transmission break-in.
Altek I owned a model T for about 12 years and people would almost crap themselves when I described how you drive it! I actually found it easier to drive then a modern Stick shift car too!
Unless like my brother and I, you drive them every day... Then it's just normal, and getting into a modern car like our recently acquired BMW 3 series, is actually a horrible experience.
It's soulless, you can't service it yourself, even doing an oil change requires a computer to be hooked up to reset the indicators, doesn't turn heads, isn't an experience you look forward to. And terrifyingly, it has broken down many, MANY more times than our 70's and 80's cars!
@@lsswappedcessna What type of vehicle is it? I daily a 68 ford galaxie and the looks and compliments I get on it never stop
Looks way better than *ANY* modern jalopy
Ha, yeah, it's style definitely held up
Where did we go so wrong?
One positive about Electric vehicles .
Is that as efficiency goes up.. we might see cars start to have more interesting designs again. Maybe..
@@WasatchGarandMan I read a Model A "Road Trip" article in Road & Track years ago {written by Peter Egan I believe} that extolled the virtues of these cars; the tall skinny wheels that gave the car a high ground clearance especially useful on rough rural roads, the timelessly elegant lines of the body and frame, etc., but the biggest thing to me was the utter utility and function of the running boards. Basically a continuance of the front fender all the way to the rear, one could store a lot of items on them; luggage, tools, game {a deer will fit there}, temporary passengers lol. It's also a place to sit when the car is parked, a foot platform for tying your shoelace.... but this goes for all cars of the era as well, 1910s-1930s...
These two fellas need a show of their own; absolutely hilarious watching them. I think that Ford is the safest car I've ever seen- you have to be concentrating 100% all the time to drive it.
I have a theory, crossovers are the reincarnation of of the model A
Haha this made me cackle, I'm digging your theory
I've been thinking that too, if 1930's cars where sold today they would be considered crossovers or SUVs.
The owner of this car seems like such a nice guy. Love how he was actually encouraging more risky maneuvers like the pucker factor hill despite clearly loving the old car. Amazing. Lovely
"It's starting to rain now. My car's getting wet." I hate when that happens!
Right! And he laid the guilt on pretty thick, I felt so bad.
It's your fault you probably washed it. More reliable than an Indian rain dance in April.
Greatest car review ever.
Haha, thank you sir!
man that was great! really shows how classic or old cars need to be more preserved and restored than ever. they're always the best examples of simpler & even more beautiful times.
Great review and humorist too. I felt like I was alone for the ride with two friends.
Thanks a lot bud. Francis was a great addition to the video and a great first guest to feature. I'm going to do some more videos like this with fun people in the future.
I have a picture of my grandfather in a Model A convertible. It belonged to a friend of his.
I would love to try something like this just once. Maybe in a parking lot or a closed track. LOL. I imagine it being similar to riding a motorcycle with how aware you have to be about everything around you.
You're dead on, like a motorcycle, you really need all your limbs ready. I wanted to start in a parking lot but Francis just threw me onto the street with it the first time. It was very nerve-wracking at first but once you get the finesse of the controls, it became fun until a real world obstacle, like a red light, got in your way. It didn't show in this video, but the first time I was shifting like a champ, I have no idea what happened this time. You should really take the chance if you ever get the opportunity, quite the experience indeed.
A classic addition to your channel. Neat how many cool cars you’ve driven already
I thought the same thing, especially since I love a good history lesson. Even I'm shocked with the cars I've been able to get my hands on. But really, if you hand me the keys to something, I'm not going to say no 😀 Thanks for watching!
I just finished the video and realized that you're not a 100k plus subscriber channel. With this quality of content you'll be there in no time. Keep it up
Thanks a lot Andrew! This sudden spike of views has given me a lot of hope, glad to see people are enjoying my hard work. Seeing 100k seems hard to imagine now, but I'll just keep at it. Thanks again!
Having not been around in the 60s- I cant begin to imagine how out of place the model A would have been in a high school parking lot
Or maybe it wouldnt have been
Either way it's a funny image
Right! It was still 30 years out of place and even 60's cars were considerably further along than a model A was as far as power and options. Now imagine pulling into a high school parking lot today with a Model A, you'd be the coolest guy on the block despite being late to all of your classes
driving a 1930 car in 1960 would be like driving a 1990 car today (in terms of age obviously)
@@NazbolCaliphDonaldaddeenTrump Yup! I drove my 79 T-birds for 2 months while my main car was outta commission. Got ALOT of attention xD mostly people with fond memories of the car
High school kids in the '60s mostly drove used cars from the '40s and '50s. It wouldn't have been too unusual to see some pre-war cars in a mid '60s high school parking lot. No different than seeing an '80s car in 2019. Technologically there wasn't much difference between a model A and '60s era VW Beetles.
@@NazbolCaliphDonaldaddeenTrump Christ that make me feel old :O
You guys are great together - fun and informative!
Thanks bud! Francis was a hoot to drive with, and he doesn't mind poking fun either. He was a good sport about the whole idea. Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it.
That's a great looking Tudor . Great review , I have been slowly getting my father's 1930 model A running after 30 yrs . My grandfather bought it brand new .
That's awesome. I love hearing stories like that, especially when a car stays with a family for almost an entire century. Best of luck getting it running, enjoy it when you do and thanks for watching.
What a sweet car, great video! I hope it get wayyy more views, it deserves it!
Thank you Mr Batmayn! Much appreciated!
Of all the films on the Model A on CZcams, this is the funniest! You two make a great team. Thank you so much for posting and keep up the good work!
Thank you so much! It was really an experience to drive and Francis was a good sport despite the gears I grinded. Thanks for watching, happy to hear you enjoyed it!
This is awesome...what a fun ride-along!
Thanks! Francis was a good sport despite the grinding of the gearbox. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for this video, great insight of how much work it is to drive a car from this period! Loving it.
It really was a great experience and I was super grateful that Francis let me get behind the wheel. Glad you enjoyed it, makes the hard work worth it. Now I have to find a Model T to really know what the start of the auto industry was like.
What's not to like!? Great video, that was a lot of fun! Almost felt like I was riding along. Thank you!
Awesome, that was my first time featuring someone, glad you enjoyed. Thanks bud and thank you for watching!
I slice of heaven. My grandpa drove one from Frisco to New York and back to pick up relatives on Staten island. No freeways back then. The road trip of all road trips. My dad's cousin Binky was sent by himself age 12 to America. Spoke little to no English. He didn't know the geography or where California was in relation to NY ny. My grandpa told him the family farm in CA was right down this road. Every time they passed a dirt road with a farm in the distance he thought this must be it. Untill the first or second night. He couldn't beleive how big the country was. Welcome to America.
Woah this is the last car I expected on here, real interesting. Great video as usual!
I'm going with anything I find interesting, and this definitely fits the bill. I'm happy you enjoyed, much appreciated. Thanks for watching!
This why most gears,especially 2nd. gear on the Cluster Gear, are damaged so much when you pull the transmission apart. Because of the crash box & second gear being used so much, unless you can double clutch, the difference when you drive with a Mitchell Synchro transmission is an absolute joy. Worth every penny of the cost involved!
People wait too long to shift into second on an A. Second gear still presents a lot of torque even if the car is just rolling. The way to drive an A as you know is to use first gear to 'launch' the car and almost immediately shift into second.
@@TruthPoliceLegend Or you spend the dough & make life a lot easier & more enjoyable by installing a Mitchell Synchro gearbox & diff splitter. Been there & done that & I know what I'm talking about!
Really fun to watch, nice man
Thanks a lot bro!
The owner is such a cool guy. Thank you for sharing your beautiful machine with us.
Thanks for taking the time to watch. Francis was awesome and it's still a drive I remember like it happened yesterday
My grandfather taught me to double clutch ours! Lol I used to do that in my old accord in college too, then I learned I could shift "normally"
I was double clutching, that's what aggravated me about not being able to find the gear. One comment pointed out that I had to commit to the gear change, meaning just go for it. I was hesitant to not damage the gearbox, which in turn almost damaged the gearbox. Oh the irony. That's funny about your Accord though. Thanks for watching!
@@Altek1 Yeah, that hesitation lets the teeth bounce you off of engagement. If you drive a syncro'd trans it's a totally opposite operation, you hit the gear and lightly hold until it goes in... it's a lot faster than that, but pay attention to how it feels sometime. Syncro cone contacts, the gearset matches speeds, and the dogs slip into place. Hold that crasher lightly and all you get is teeth pitching teeth backwards.
That explanation was perfect, I can literally see it working in my head as I read your comment. All I can say is that type of transmission makes for such a more involved driving experience which I love. Thanks for watching!
I love this video so much. You've perfectly captured what it's like to own and drive a classic or vintage car, mostly the bickering and the jokes from the passenger seat, and taking the micky out of each other when you miss a gear in the usually, very tired transmission.
My father and I have a 1954 MG TF and it really is a family affair.
Awesome view into the past. The good old days? Not so much.
You keep posting, we'll keep watching!
Haha great way to put that. Should have used that line in the video. Thanks for watching and for the support Will!
Well.. I work in a modern car dealer and I work with new cars all day long there, when I go out I just don't want to see them anymore and I drive a classic car with no power steering, no power brakes, no power windows, no ABS, nothing... A speedometer and a fuel gauge, that's all you've got, nothing else. Plus it has just 2 cylinders producing 28hp... Truth is I drive it everywhere, it is reliable, very fuel efficient and even quite comfortable... I drive it between 25.000 to 30.000 kms a year.. Just drop the top down and hit the road... Yes... The good old days.
I definitely see where you're coming from. I love a car that you really have to know how to drive to get it on the road. It's just too congested in the part of NY I'm in to really enjoy a car with slow acceleration and non-existent brakes. Awesome for you though, glad you're keeping the dream alive
Well, it is true I don't drive it through the city traffic, its daily trips are from home to work through a short mountain road by the mediterranium, 20 kms in the morning + 20 to go home to have lunch + 20 to go back to work in the afternoon + 20 to go back home at night... Speed must be between 80/110kmh depending if going uphill or downhill with nearly "neutral" acceleration hahaha, has disc brakes at front... Brakes are really good for a car that only weighs 600kg, but anyway, obviously far from being something fast, but it does the job. Car's an old 2 cylinder Citroen, 30's technology built 'till the 90's.
"I'm tellin' ya...I'm doin' the right thing here...I know I am"...said by everyone who was doing exACTLY the wrong thing right then as spoken. Ha!
Awesome video, man.
Hahaha I'm saying bro! I was doing the right thing! Boy did it frustrate me since clearly I was doing it wrong. Glad you enjoyed, thanks for watching!
That was pure joy. Thank you.
30s cars were the most beautiful, in my opinion.
Awesome video, as a kid over 50years ago a uncle in Ft. Chiswell Va. had one, never got to drive her, but loved the sound of her idle, I remember the interior smell and in the winter she was cold.
That's my favorite thing about cars is in general, they can transport you to a memory, an exact time and place, even just by looking at it. Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching!
Alex my man! That’s a freaking sweet ride bro! Oh brother give my best to Francis he’s such a great guy.
What a wonderful video to watch and I’m so happy I checked my subscriptions and found you just uploaded the video 18 mins before I started watching it lol!
Damn good way to kick it on a Saturday with my man Alex’s badass videos.
Bro that’s crazy how much you had to get involved with the car! Starting it was a mission in itself.
Bro I hope you enjoyed every second of it and thank you for showing us yet again, an up close and personal view of a gorgeous vehicle.
Thank Francis on our behalf, and thank you for making another wonderfully thought out video. Can’t wait til I see the next one!
-Steve
You're the man as always, Steve! I anticipate you chiming in and I'm never let down! I'm happy to add to your Saturday night binge watching.
Francis is a great guy and way awesome that he didn't give me hell for grinding the gearbox as much as I did. Everything about the car was so involving, and public roads drove up the anxiety 10 fold. I love that kinda stuff though since it's super technical and requires all of your attention.
Glad you enjoyed it, as I always say it's what makes putting them together so worth it. Hope all is well on the West Coast my friend. Stay fresh!
Altek what’s the haps brother? How’ve you been? What’s the weather like in New York? I’d catch up with you on social media, but I don’t have any.
Haven’t seen a video in a couple of weeks and I hope all is well.
I’m sure this winter weather is making it harder for you to post videos and do reviews. However, I hope you’re safe and you have a great rest of your week.
Take it easy bud! Looking forward to your next video as always!
-Steve
Buddy Steve! Thanks for checking in, it's 25 degrees and windy in good ol NY, really killing my car review chances which I expected. I've been lining some nice cars up but I'd have to wait until the end of March at best. Plus work has been throwing projects my way which took up a few weekends.
In the meantime I was thinking of doing interviews and car news, here's an example of the news segment, curious to get your feedback: instagram.com/p/Bt93CfSg7FX/?igshid=kewy559222y2
That's my ig page by the way, if you have ig, hit me up there if you'd like.
Hope you're well bro! Stay fresh!
Altek brother I totally understand what you’re saying. Glad you’re doing good and work is keeping you busy, because that means more money for car parts 😀.
Love the idea bro, I believe anything you go with on this channel is a plus in my eyes.
Your fans already like the material and who knows you might lure some more in with the interviews and such.
Unfortunately I don’t have any social media so I stay away from the drama lololol, this is the most I’ve done in a long time.
Much appreciated though that’s for sure. If I had one I’d add you for sure. Looking forward to the new posts, be safe out there and keep warm.
Take it easy brother, and as always God Bless.
-Steve
Youre telling me, that with the OUTSTANDING quality of this whole video, that this dude only has 5k subs?? I cant wait for him to blow up. Subscribed.
Thank you!! I try my best on each one, glad you appreciate it. I should have a sweet Hellcat to post on my channel by the weekend, thanks for subscribing!
My dad told me he had one like this as the family car in the 30's for him, his first wife, and my two half sisters, long before I was born when he was almost 52.
Your father was a brave man to drive one of these as a regular commuter. Thanks for watching Paul!
Nice job Francis. Great to see that your humor doesn’t change with a camera in your face.
Thanks for taking the time to make this video. It really gives a good perspective of what it was like to drive back then. I do think we take our modern cars for granted. My current car is a base model with no options, and a stick shift. It is the absolute cheapest version of the car you can buy, yet it still has power windows and locks, traction control, blue tooth connectivity and hands free calling. We really are spoiled today.
Love it! Stress - and enjoyment. Good job.
They're so much larger in person than I was expecting!
I agree, it was bigger than I anticipated as well but it's astonishing how jam packed the driver and passenger are, it had me cracking up.
@@Altek1 I love that you strive to engage with your viewers in the comments. Thanks, always makes my day to read from you.
Thanks for noticing that bud, it makes my day when I see the comments coming in. Driving the car I review is fun, and I'm normally happy with the final edit, but the real perk is when the community chimes in, it's what makes it all worth it.
Every man needs a Gary. I need a Gary too.
Hah, every time I asked him a question about repairs, he kept saying "that's where Gary comes in". Thanks for watching!
@@Altek1 everybody love Gary
This is a lot of fun to watch. I've never driven anything that old! Pretty cool the way this car has been passed down through the generations. Lol that you made him get his car wet in the rain! It was worth it.
Thanks bro! He was a good sport about the whole thing, he was just busting my balls since his primary concern was salt and there was none of that around. I love how his brothers and sisters used it during high school, that concept is hilarious. Quite the experience driving one, I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance.
My first car was a 31 coupe back in 1961. Your wonderful video captures the challenge and charm of driving an A on the roads of Cape Cod. My girlfriend had a '30 roadster, her dad had a '29 pickup and her brother had a 32 roadster with a flathead V8. All pretty stock survivors and daily drivers.
loved this..........you were both like 2 best friends.....nice to see 2 relative strangers sparking off like that........oh and lovely car too btw....nice engine sounds
It was good to see him just laugh at me every time I grinded a gear and a great teacher when it came to getting the A on the road. Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed!
You make great videos I love them. Keep it up you’ll be big one day
Thank you so much bro! The winter is slowing me down but expect more content in the future.
Great vid, love this car! I feel like I just watched you guys drive cross country haha...
Thanks Joey Sal! Driving cross country in that beast would taken the better part of a decade. Glad you enjoyed!
This is cool I've always wanted to see a video on this car.
Awesome, I'm glad you enjoyed. I looked at the other type of Model A videos around and I feel I covered it in a slightly different way. I'm happy with the final product for sure. Thanks for watching as always buddy!
Nice video. I will say his strategy vis via the spark advance is a little incorrect. When I had one of these the advise was "both ears up" meaning throttle and spark all the way up. Crank the engine (with the starter) . As soon as it starts, the spark advance comes down half way. At speed (above 35) the spark comes the rest of the way down. The reason this is so is because as you getinto the higher RPMs you don't want to "run out of stroke" with the spark timing. If you start halfway through the travel on the lever that is what will happen. Also, shifting is easier at low RPM and "double clutching is recommended". THAT is a skill worthy of a video all on its own.
Absolutely right. Read my comment above......myredute.
I have to say, a few people pointed out his starting procedure of the car wasn't accurate, but you definitely have the best way of explaining it here. Most people just became irate and yelled at Francis through me. I'll pass that knowledge along since he really has just been driving it the way he's been driving it. I was double clutching but as one person mentioned in another comment, I wasn't committing to the gear, I was making sure it would go in smoothly and hesitating which I think caused my problem since Francis just threw it in with ease. Thank you though, it's one thing to pass on knowledge but how it's done is equally important and you, Dana, have done that very well.
@@Altek1 And that's why an electronic ignition is so important in these old cars. Modern updates are needed to drive on our modern roads because of the number of cars now using our roads & the speeds at which they travel. Henry Ford never designed the Model A to be driven at anything above 60kph but the fact is they need to be just to stay out of trouble with other road users.
Pretty cool to be watching this vid while I’m making parts for this very car
Just remember cars wouldn’t have been like the ones now if it wasn’t for the Model A
Couldn't agree more, the auto industry owes a lot to cars like this.
Technically Cadillac was the first to put everything where we know it today
@@HallsoftheSummer agreed. And I believe Austin noticed this and used that setup on their Austin 7 launched in 1922, which was a huge seller in its day.
@@HallsoftheSummer correct. Most everyone worldwide copied that setup by the mid 20s. Ford was one of the last to stick with their farm tractor setup.
Just remember it was the Dodge brothers who made a lot of the Ford running gear and never got credit for it. So they started their own car company. With or without Henry Ford, we'd had cars like the Model A. Remember, Chevy's, Plymouths. etc.
Beautiful video and restoration
😃
Thank you!
-and this was absolutely Space Age compared to the "T"!
Back in the 1960s Dad drove cars with 4 wheel drum brakes and no power assist, as a matter of fact he pulled an unbraked trailer with them.
-It wasn't a problem until the other cars started showing up with boosted disks!
I still drive a car with four wheel unnasisted brakes and steering and what is scary is there is half as many years between my VW Splities year and the model a than my splittie and today!
I learned to drive on a '66 scout with unboosted drum brakes. The other car my parents owned at the time was a Volvo with power assisted disc brakes. The first time I drove the Volvo, I damn near put my Dad through the windshield, because I operated the brakes the way I had learned to do on the scout: stomp that pedal with every ounce of strength that I had.
My first time in a car with disks and power assist I stopped like 50 feet from the stop sign!
I love old cars, but there's no denying that in a lot of respects they have improved a lot!
Totally amazing a pleasure to watch good video love the horn
Awesome to hear! The reaction I had to the horn was totally genuine, I want to put one like it in my WRX since I think it would be hilarious. Thanks for watching!
Good video. I own a 1931 Coupe and its a blast to drive.
Glad you enjoyed it. I loved how mechanical, intricate and involved the drive was. It was a lot of fun. Enjoy yours!
Excellent historical explanation and test drive ALTEK!!!
Thanks Claudio! Good to hear from you again, i'm putting together a video on a 73 BMW 2002 Tii, another fun piece of automotive history. Should have it up in a week or so.
@@Altek1 Hey Altek! Looking forward to watching that one of the 2002, one of my favorite cars ever! Hope you're safe and doing well!
Drove an old Soviet Romanian truck over the summer when I was in Poland, the thing was so hard to get in gear, just like this one lol. Since it was used for military use, there were no seatbelts and had benches in the bed that my dad and uncle sat in. Their screams whenever we hit a bump were priceless. If any one of you ever have an opportunity to drive an old car/truck, take it. It’s a crazy fun experience and makes you appreciate modern technology, just like he said.
very nice production quality
keep it up
Francis you are a rare character you are very awesome please joke ever change we need more people like you thanks
I got that same feeling driving a 1959 VW Bus. It was the most different from any other car I've driven. The pedals were floor hinged, there was zero clutch or gas feel, no power brakes or steering. It was one hell of an experience though.
Great video. Francis seems like a fun guy to hang with.
Francis can be a bit of a ball-buster, but he's definitely a cool guy. Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching!
I owned a 1931 Model A Slant Windshield Sedan when I was a teenager. When I bought it, my driving skills were rather poor. After a month or two with that thing, I became a man. Not only did I learn to drive properly, but I mastered the standard transmission as well (And then some). When I eventually inherited a 1988 Ford Ranger years later, I was stunned by how easy modern standards were to drive. Another important thing I learned: lug nut torque on a Model is quite a bit higher than what's required on most post WW2 passenger vehicles. My right rear wheel launched off the drum at about 45MPH, sailed into a retention pond a few hundred feet away. Fortunately, I emerged unscathed, albeit horrified.
The frame of the body is either hickory or oak (Or it was originally), so the floorboards aren't the only wood in a Model A. Additionally, the original window glass was about the same as that you'd find in an old house. No synchronizers between gears, you probably noticed that (Brrrap!) The brakes are all purely mechanical, the friction bits much like modern drum brakes, but the actuation is achieved through a collection of adjustable metal rods physically attached to the brake pedal. Something like a giant bicycle, although the drum mechanisms are certainly superior. When they get wet, they are very nearly useless. Just making sure you're as nervous as possible next time around.
My grandpa bought one used for $50 in 1933 and my uncle still has it and drives it in parades to this day.
I had fun working on one of these, a '31 which was an older restoration. Boy, there's rudimentary electrical systems then there are these cars! It took a good deal of rethinking on how car electrics worked to get it all straightened out. I also had to repack the water pump seal and pull the oil pan to reseal that, and though it was simple, it was still pretty interesting how it all went together. Then driving it was different altogether, especially in that though it was a 2 door sedan, there was surprisingly little room to move around. The heater was another thing, literally a shroud over the exhaust manifold and pipe to the firewall. But when the car was made, it was one of few affordable cars to choose from, and it was fun and pretty crazy to drive.
This was very cool to watch
Thanks buddy!
I can relate to this video, classic car restorer who orders my artwork let me drive a 1930 Buick recently, it was cray cray. Pleasure above anything I have ever tried, but still crazy feeling.
Francis, you are cool! Letting someone drive your Ford, and actively chide them when they screw up, brilliant! You don't come off as an ass, you're like an older brother. I liked being a part of it by watching.
I totally get ya. As someone who's done 1940's reenactment for years
It really shows how we can take a lot for granted and shows us how people lived back then.
I find it fascinating learning about how people lived in the past. Must be interesting reenacting that time period. Thanks for watching!
When I was about 10, in 1956, I can remember seeing a Model A in my grandmother’s garage. I never saw it run, but I assumed it was used regularly. I did a lot of my early driving in something not as old, but equally crude: a 1957 King Midget.
I always thought those were cool and even got reproduction plans but I don’t know where they went and it was too daunting for me anyway
Great video, I love the point about people not having any clue how fast they're going in modern cars. I feel the same way riding motorcycles, when you're exposed to the elements you really do feel how fast 40 mph is.
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching. They should fit cars with see through floors, I bet you'd see some mighty careful driving from people that way, ha! I felt the same way on a motorcycle, it is amazing how quickly you get used to it but a motorcycle is a great way to make yourself a better driver overall and have respect for a sense of speed, much like the Model A was.
I used to drive my dad’s old ‘31 pickup, ‘’63 automatic corvette, his ‘’76 f-100, this is the way to teach teens to drive, what an experience
Great vedio... great mentoring by francis
My grandfather was a heavy equipment/tractor mechanic who converted a wrecked model A into a tractor back in the 30's. The model A tractor was called "The Doodlebug" or "Bug" for short. My cousins even added a wooden bumper that had "Bug" painted on it. The Bug survived until my grandfather died in the mid 70's. I'm not sure what happened to the bug but I heard that it was cut up for scrap along with most of my grandfather's other motorized creations. My grandfather also built a large rolling machine that looked like a steam roller but was powered by an old gasoline engine. My cousin still has that rolling machine and it still runs. He uses it every year to roll the grass in his yard.
That's awesome. I wish I had that skillset since you can create damn near anything as long as you're creative enough and want to put in the work. Great to hear one of his creations is still kicking after all these years. Cool name by the way, PICKLE RIIIIIIICK!
I'd love to take something like that for a spin. What i like about old cars is how much more involved one is when driving. There's a connection between man and machine. It's not simply getting from point A to point B. It's an experience.
My dad had a pale yellow Model A when I was a kid. I loved that car. We would drive it all around up and down El Camino in the SF Bay Area every weekend. He ended up selling it. At the time we were in some financial and other issues. I really wish we would have kept it. I think of that car often.
The gran papi of pure AMERICAN hotrodding
going up that hill made me remember if you go up a steep hill with less than an eighth of a tank you go in reverse to keep the gas flowing through the gravity fed fuel line in the front of the tank. lol.
Just when I thought I had a scary drive, I couldn't imagine driving that thing backwards just to keep gas flowing but the physics add up! Thanks for watching bud.
This reminded me of starting my damn fourwheelers lol
I like these old classic cars, they are part of our history
Dad, you have the patience of a saint when it comes to teaching somebody how to drive the Model A.
Haha is that to say he doesn't have patient with his kids? As much as he breaks my balls normally, he was a great teacher when it came to driving the car. I'd love to have him on my channel again.
I love "driving" the car. Instead of driving the computer in a modern car. That looks like so much fun.
My dad was an aspiring Vintage Car collector (he was going to be a Multimillionaire by 40, but didn't), so I had two "Real" (non-functional) cars to play in, one was a Studebaker Conestoga station wagon, the other a Model A Ford coupe.
My mother speculated the reason I didn't get as hyper as a "Normal" teen about driving (another part was the Autism Spectrum and focused on other subjects) was by the time I was Four, I had "Real" cars to play in (they were blocked and on a Level serface in the Back Yard, so no danger of one rolling if an Emergency Brake or Gear Shift was moved.
Studebaker made Conestoga wagons way back when men and women went westward ho. About the same time them and a guy named John made the first farm plows.
@@modeladenny1218
They reactivated the "Conestoga" name for a car in the 50s.
@@craigbrowning9448 I almost bought a Studebaker wagon with the folding roof. We had a 1950 Commander 4-dr for years.
Great video. Nice ford
Lovely car and great video 👍
Thanks buddy!
Rarely have I enjoyed a video as much as this one. You all are GREAT! Oh, I drive a Studebaker lol.
The owner slapping you on the wrist about the operation of the car but staying cool and comedic about it truly makes this episode lol
Glad you enjoyed! Francis was a great sport about it, I was so red in the face when I grinded it, so embarrassing but he had fun picking on me. Thanks for watching!
And a modern appliance is the best thing to make one appreciate the model A. I have a modern car and a model A and I prefer the A, yes even as a daily. You are involved and you have to work for it but it’s truly enjoyable to drive and still very useful.
That's what I like about old cars in general, obviously you have to work harder in something like a Model A but anything pre 80's really forces you to fully control the car. Unlike today's cars with all the assists which I think are making drivers way too lazy.
Altek agreed. I see reviews where people complain that old cars like this don’t have a/c or power steering etc etc. Really, most cars through the 70s didn’t and things like power steering were optional on small cars through much of the 80s. ABS and airbags didn’t become common until the 1990s. But the model A still does all the basics that a car does-provide reliable transportation in reasonable comfort-just fine.
My grandfather, had a 1930 Model A Roadster, he bought new, with cash, when he was 19.
He said it was his favorite car.
Beautiful car !
Awesome! Someday
Memory lane! Dad had a ‘32, which he inherited from Grandad. I remember it well.
Such fun. I have never driven a Model A. The oldest car I have driven was a 1926 Austin 7. Which I think was easier to drive. Great video. Thanks
Amazing and hilarious video
Thank you! Francis was the best guest I've had on my channel yet, hoping to get him back on to pick on me again, it was good fun.
Francis seems like a real fun guy.
He's a lot of fun, a great sport about the whole thing. Thanks for watching!
I enjoyed the video. I've owned 3 model A's and one T! Love um. Probably the most attractive car of it's era! RIP Henry. BTW the Model T was by far the first affordable car, not the A! I hit the subscribe button, but wish you would watch your language, as I often watch with my little grandson! TY ...Newk from Kentucky
You're a Model A veteran at that rate! You're correct, it was the Model T, I was trying to frame it as the first most affordable with controls similar to today's cars. If I'm not mistaken, a Model T was way trickier to get going than an A was. Thanks so much for the subscribe! I try to mute all the most obvious curses but I'll make it a point to keep it PG. I will say if the car has a ton of horsepower and the ability to scare me, I'm most likely going to blurt out something I shouldn't, but I'll try! Thanks Newk!
I've read a bit of history on ole Henry. At one point he was having a problem keeping employees. So he reduced the cost of the T, so every worker could afford one! Heck of a strategy! He sold a lot of Fords over night! BTW I'm currently rebuilding an old Willys L226 flathead 6 cyl! I'm retired and I refuse to own a TV...so my projects are my main point of interest! ...Newk from Kentucky
@@timothynewkirk2654 Henry had the common man in mind and that I appreciate. Not a thing large companies do these days as we're seeing now. My friend, never buy a TV, you'll only end up rebuilding some awesome cars instead of watching trash TV. But keep watching my channel, that's a must 😁 Sounds like a fun project, I'd like to see how that turns out.
My parents used to haul me around in one, but I was too young to remember it. Then, we got a 1940 Buick that spent the war on blocks, which I do remember.