Cross Country in a Model A

[Oldgearz]

You are all amazing. I've owned my coupe for two years and put it in excellent shape, but haven't yet got up the nerve to drive it 70 miles from where I work on it to my main home. I trailer it. I trust the car and my driving but not the other drivers on the highway. One of these days I'll do it!

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Oldgearz

You are all amazing. I've owned my coupe for two years and put it in excellent shape, but haven't yet got up the nerve to drive it 70 miles from where I work on it to my main home. I trailer it. I trust the car and my driving but not the other drivers on the highway. One of these days I'll do it!

I've driven in the US and appreciate what you are saying. Being tourists when we drove, we wanted to stay off the bigger highways and freeways. I'm sure the back roads like we took would be fine in a Model A.
We had a paper map (remember those?) to see what was going to be the next reasonable sized town (we avoid cities) and used the GPS to get us there. IMO, it's in those quiet, rural area that we meet real people.
My first drive on the wrong side of the road was Philadelphia to Monument Valley, then down to Phoenix, Az taking the old Route 66 where ever we could. Great memories.

[Model A Ron]

Some of you guys have driven amazing distance in a Model A and I hope to say I have done the same someday soon. My Uncle got a retirement home in South Florida and when he stopped in on his way down from NY I showed him my Model A. He basically liked it but told me it was a nice toy but not a real mode of transportation......been thinking of driving it to Florida ever since.

[Doug Linden]

Yes, driven cross country 3 times. It is an amazing opportunity to see many beautiful parts of this country on the roads less traveled. My avatar is looking out at Devils Tower.

[Model A Ron]

Originally Posted by Doug Linden

Yes, driven cross country 3 times. It is an amazing opportunity to see many beautiful parts of this country on the roads less traveled. My avatar is looking out at Devils Tower.

Did you make your trips solo or did you do it with additional Model A friends?

[nkaminar]

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In the 1930's, many people drove Model A's across the country. Even Model T's.

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by nkaminar

In the 1930's, many people drove Model A's across the country. Even Model T's.

Good point. It was done all the time during the 1930's - 1940's. Same for early V8's. Of course it can be done. I think the only thing lacking is compentency for most folks. Because of parts availability and the lack of auto repair shops that can make repairs along the way, you'll need to be able to pack some spare parts and be able to fix the car yourself. Other than that, you'll need a whole lot of spare time.

[Model A Ron]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

Good point. It was done all the time during the 1930's - 1940's. Same for early V8's. Of course it can be done. I think the only thing lacking is compentency for most folks. Because of parts availability and the lack of auto repair shops that can make repairs along the way, you'll need to be able to pack some spare parts and be able to fix the car yourself. Other than that, you'll need a whole lot of spare time.

I still have 10+ years of working so the time to do it is currently my problem......that and a lot of projects around the house.

[Doug Linden]

Originally Posted by Model A Ron

Did you make your trips solo or did you do it with additional Model A friends?

No, the first two times was with a friend who was also driving his Model A. The third time was with two others driving their Model A's.

[Slotblog]

Bought a 1930 Tudor off eBay in late 2014 in McMinnville, Oregon, and drove it home to Atlanta.

http://slotblog.net/topic/60001-trip...club-magazine/

[shew01]

Originally Posted by Model A Ron

That is amazing and I wish I could do just one trip like this in the near future.

Traveling what is left of Route 66 is a bucket list trip for me.

We drove from Roanoke, VA to Morgantown, PA last year for the 2022 MARC Meet, about a thousand mile round trip for us, and we plan to drive to the 2023 MARC meet later this year. That will be about a thousand mile trip too.

I’m not sure how to handle oil changes and chassis greasing on longer trips.


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[Chris in WNC]

Originally Posted by shew01

I’m not sure how to handle oil changes and chassis greasing on longer trips.

Driving home from Marquette MI to Asheville NC I has a cracked block leaking water into the crankcase.

Changed oil every morning in the motel parking lot. (3 day trip)

Used a disposable aluminum turkey roasting pan to drain, then filled it up with oil-dri for disposal.

Arrived home with no additional engine damage.

If your chassis is well-greased I think it could go cross-country OK without additional lubing.....

[shew01]

Originally Posted by Chris in WNC

Used a disposable aluminum turkey roasting pan to drain, then filled it up with oil-dri for disposal.

…

If your chassis is well-greased I think it could go cross-country OK without additional lubing.....

Good to know.


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[Pilotdave]

During COVID, a fellow posting on Facebook as Tebo Barn drove his Tudor cross-country and back........quite a story!

[Lawrie]

This is us in my A out west a month ago.
Lawrie

[J Franklin]

Originally Posted by Chris in WNC

Driving home from Marquette MI to Asheville NC I has a cracked block leaking water into the crankcase.

Changed oil every morning in the motel parking lot. (3 day trip)

Used a disposable aluminum turkey roasting pan to drain, then filled it up with oil-dri for disposal.

Arrived home with no additional engine damage.

If your chassis is well-greased I think it could go cross-country OK without additional lubing.....

I have done short trips to neighboring states (800 miles) and think it was most fun. I never had much trouble. If I had water entering the oiling system I would do as a friend did. He would just crack the drain plug in the morning and just let all the water drain out, as it was always on the bottom of the oil.

[Synchro909]

If your Model A is in good condition, there is NO reason it won't take you anywhere a modern car will. It will just do it with grace rather than pace and it's amazing how much more of the country you see - and people you speak with.

[MAG]

5 couples in our Model A club have taken 3 trips out to the East coast (Carolinas) from Austin in the past 3/4 years. Branson, Nashville, DC, Kentucky. Usually 2 or 3 weeks long. Trips are planned before we leave. A member plans the destination and the route through the back-roads. Another member makes motel reservations. Another member plans meals, usually lunch, as we travel using a laptop or cell phone. Another member plans spares. Last 2 trips no parts needed. Needless to say the cars were given very thorough inspections before leaving. So many sights to see and friendships developed made it a wonderful time.

[nkaminar]

Starting out. I wonder if the dog made it. Nice radiator cap. My dad did this but in a 4 cylinder Chevy. Replacement parts came from junk yards including a rod. No adjustment made, just tighten it up and go. Jersey City to Los Angeles.

[Chris in WNC]

Originally Posted by J Franklin

I had water entering the oiling system I would do as a friend did. He would just crack the drain plug in the morning and just let all the water drain out, as it was always on the bottom of the oil.

We were driving 55-60 MPH all day in early July heat, the water was thoroughly mixed with oil, came out looking like a mocha milkshake.