Share your pre-war car knowledge ,especially Model T and A Fords.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Fatha N just called to get me to go with him tomorrow to look at a Model T Ford.

Since he retired and got lucky on some property he's been talking about buying something. We're not talking fortunes here , up to around £20k .

He's talked about ,and looked at a Morgan, TR6 and Daimler V8 250 ,his current fleet consists of a 57 Land Rover, 97 Merc SLK, 02 Audi A4 2.5 dizzler and a 300tdi Disco that he puts 30,000 miles a year on back and forth to Brittany.

Wonder where me and my brothers got the Shite gene from?

 

Anyway he's always fancied a vintage tourer and as classic* sports cars are going to be less useful,slower and more leaky than his SLK he's decided a Model T would be ideal.

I'm amazed how cheap they are- a restored 100 year old Ford for less than an Escort. In fact probably less than a Capri or Granada these days!

So, let's hear your vintage or veteran tales and suggestions of other ways to travel slower than his Series 1.

[anonymous user]

I have never driven a Model T, but have been a passenger in one. The control pedals bear no relation to a modern car being both gearchange and brake at the same time if I remember correctly, The Model A is a bit more conventional. If he has a Series one Land Rover then the Model A will be more like that.

 

If he really wants the vintage driving experience, try a Series 1 Morgan 4/4, no synchro on 1st or 2nd, back to front gearchange and cable brakes.

[alf892]

I think a nice model A would be fun.

 

I suspect a T would be fun to start with and drop out of favour as it's quirky oldness became a pain in the arse.

 

Before driving you need to recalibrate your brain to be in less of a rush and take more notice of what is going on around you otherwise driving old stuff is no fun.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Great minds and all that....

This is only 20 miles away, might convince him to have a look after Tucketts and Malcom Elder's tomorrow.

I've got a vested interest after all, this is my inheritance he's spending!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Model-A-roadster-pickup-hotrod-VSCC-Flathead-/331704912307?hash=item4d3b2749b3:g:f~0AAOSw5VFWQl56

[UltraWomble]

Bob is off to have a look at this - they will probably go up in value.

 

Not a Ford though, so sorry - I cant help you.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morris-Oxford-Bullnose-1924-Open-Tourer-14-28-13-9-Hp-1802cc-/141751309364?hash=item2101095434%3Ag%3AeRYAAOSwd0BV1ayo

[barrett]

Model Ts are, frankly, rubbish. They don't go and they absolutely don't stop. Like, they have virtually no braking system at all. Even a late one is seriously deficient compared to almost any vehicle of similar age. They also go on forever, are cheap as anything to fix if they do go wrong and all bits are easily available. If I had £20k to spend and I was dead set on one, the nice original back tourer Tudor Wheels have at the moment is a nice honest car that doesn't want for much.

This is our one

 

I have never driven a Model A, but they are much more like a normal car and are perfectly capable of daily use if you're not thrashing around doing mega miles. Same benefits as a T but with few of the drawbacks, and you can make them go fast if you want. If you're not worried about eligibility a non-Vintage A tudor can be had for about half the price of a nice T.

 

Personally, if I only had one old car, I wouldn't have either. There are more fun, less obvious, cheaper ways to do the same basic thing than an old Ford, but none of them would be as painless to live with

[3VOM]

Traction Avant?

[Justin Case]

There is a 1925 Model T Tudor at Brightwells in a couple of weeks time, estimated £9-11k which could be of interest (sorry can't link to description). I too have been a passenger in one; I gather

that the brakes are useless in the wet, but the big wheels float over rough road ssurfaces. The only drawback is that you feel a bit like Laurel and Hardy .

Failing that what about a flat-nose Morris Oxford; a friend has a 1930 Colonial Model with bigger engine and added ruggedness which should be just as indestructible as a Model A and arguably has more period charm.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Wow, the one at Tudor wheels that's been in a barn for 67 years is epic, it looks as if Laurel and Hardy have just parked it there.

The Brightwells one is a Stondon car, so he's already seen it,assuming the old farts memories that good!

Wouldn't suit him as he wants a tourer - his S1 hasn't had a roof or doortops on since about 1995- he thinks he's eccentric.

I think there may be a Morris at Malcolm Elder in Biscester, we' re going there tomorrow - I'll report back then.

[D Spares & Tyres]

I drove a pick up model t not long ago

 

Very difficult as it has two gearboxes and no lever or pedal does what you expect

 

The only vehicle I've ever struggled to drive...

 

Would second Citroen Traction, they are lovely but only if you have no mini roundabouts and you have to turn right, the lock on them is awful

 

LDV Pilot. Surely that's a pre war design underneath? ☺

[andrew e]

I wouldn't have one - I had a mate in circus who did - always bitching about the wings falling off, rear body tipping backwards, engine exploding, pissing out glitter everywhere etc.

[cros]

I think Ts are not great for all the reasons already given plus both the ones I've been in vibrated nastily. A Bullnose Morris is a joy in comparison. I drove one in heavy rush hour traffic last year and was amazed that a 1920s car could cope- had to keep reminding myself that it only had brakes on the rear axle. If it has to be a T don't pay much, there are very cheap ones out there. Parts availability is probably better than most new cars.

[fred]

How about a Austin 7 ? nice and got the pedals in the right order

[wuvvum]

I had a go in an Austin 7 once, round a field.  Not a vehicle I'd want to take out on the road, although I know plenty of people do.

 

Vauxhall did some nice cars in the '30s.  My Ten was a lot nicer to drive than any other small pre-war saloon I've experienced (the Novaquatre was better, but that was a much bigger car).  I would imagine something slightly bigger, with a straight 6 and a floppytop, would be quite a pleasant way of getting around.

 

Something like this.

 

[Taff]

I think a nice model A would be fun.

 

I suspect a T would be fun to start with and drop out of favour as it's quirky oldness became a pain in the arse.

 

Before driving you need to recalibrate your brain to be in less of a rush and take more notice of what is going on around you otherwise driving old stuff is no fun.

 

agreed, if we are talking stock (I suspect that we are)

 

Great minds and all that....

This is only 20 miles away, might convince him to have a look after Tucketts and Malcom Elder's tomorrow.

I've got a vested interest after all, this is my inheritance he's spending!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Model-A-roadster-pickup-hotrod-VSCC-Flathead-/331704912307?hash=item4d3b2749b3:g:f~0AAOSw5VFWQl56

image.jpg

 

I've used Tuckett Brothers several of times, use them with utmost confidence. Great people and extremely helpful.

 

Also, if patina is his thing, go direct to Model T Haven (who ship 4 times a year to Tucketts)

[barefoot]

I seem to remember that the middle pedal is the accelerator, unless its the clutch. the others are definately reverse gear and possibly a brake. The gear lever is first gear and brake and second/top gear.

There is certainly an advance and retard lever on the steering wheel and possibly a throttle.

The only thing I am certain of is that to make it stop you stand on the reverse gear pedal and that they don't overheat in heavy traffic.

Clip your old man round the ear and take him to look at something proper.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Well Taff wasn't kidding about patina- As Jman would say Do Not Paint!

About £3000

 

About £2000

[UltraWomble]

Well Taff wasn't kidding about patina- As Jman would say Do Not Paint!

About £3000

About £2000

Is there an actual engine in that or simply a hole in the floor where you can paddle it along like the Flintstones car?