Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee Stewart
(Post 1605060)
Acceleration, braking, steering effort and just the ride itself. As compared to a modern car like a Lincoln or a Caddy.
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I can't speak to a large, opulent vehicle like what you had pictured, but I can speak to the everyman's experience of driving an early Ford:
When I was shopping I looked briefly at Model T's. They were pretty inexpensive at the time and I thought it might be a good way to get into the antique car world for not much expenditure.
But - they are pretty archaic. The have a hand throttle and hand brake, and planetary gear set that is foot pedal operated. Also - most of the ones I saw were open cars and I didn't want that.
The Model A Ford (1928-1931, and then the 4 cylinder car was a B Model in 1932) is more conventional in its layout: foot throttle (although a vestigial hand throttle remains on the steering wheel, along side the spark lever), floor mounted three speed transmission, and foot brake (4 wheel mechanical brakes).
In terms of driving impressions: it drives like a modern vehicle - only slower. 45 mph is a sweet spot. It will go 55 (downhill) but nobody is going to be happy about it. Not that you really know for sure, because the mechanical "disc" speedometer is swinging all over the place. Acceleration is fine and there are no problems getting up to speed, although the trans is unsynchronized so I adhered to the mantra of "shift early, and shift often". Braking is fine, probably because the car is so light, but you get one shot: if somebody pulls out in front of you you are done for a little while. Steering, although manual, is easy probably because the wheel is approximately three feet in diameter. There is no ventilation other than rolling the windows down (I installed a roll down rear window in mine, so kicking the windshield out got lots of airflow). Long trips or multiple short trips take a lot out of you so by the end you are usually hot, dusty, and ready for a nap. Lighting for night driving is pretty inadequate; the headlamps provide a nice warm orange glow which presumably allows other drivers to see you but not much else.
You get Huge, HUGE (HUGE!!) old car bang for your buck. I couldn't put gas in it without someone coming over and wanting to visit, telling me about one they had, or how they would ride in the rear window shelf as baby, or how they lost their virginity in the rumble seat, etc. All that while putting in 11 gallons max.
In short - I now totally understand the early hot rod movement. Driving this car was 'fine', but I found myself wanting a little more acceleration, and a little more brakes, and one more gear, and the ability to stay out after dark.
Those factors are what prompted me to sell the car and upgrade the fleet, focusing on Pontiacs, and purchasing the '63 Grand Prix (which does, in fact, drive like a thoroughly modern vehicle).
K
