This guy thought I was nuts.

[james hitchcock]

I attended the antique farm show in Tulare ca. this weekend. We had a booth selling some old stuff. I brought along Walter (1931 Ford Huckster). An older gentleman and I set for awhile as we talked Model A's and T's. After awhile he mentioned he'd like a 30 - 31 pickup. I told him that's what Walter had actually started off as. He was a steel top 31. He proceeded to tell me that there was no such thing and that I must have welded in a panel on the top. I said no, later in 31 there was a steel top and that's how he was when I got him. He once again said "well they got you, cause they welded in a panel". He was kinda bristling up a bit and said Ford didn't do a steel top until 36. I kinda laughed and he was done talking . I think he figured this 53 year old young'n didn't know anything. I should have bet him him pinks.

[Mike V. Florida]

Happens more often then one thinks.
It even happens here on the forum.

[37Benny]

I don't go to shows anymore..last show I went to got talking to guy about Model A's and began to talk to me "like a dumb kid" even though he was the one scared to drive his Model A to the show because it had mechanical brakes..(scary) even though it was driven new with mechanical brakes..and had to stop the car back then?..now I don't go to shows I go to swap meets and when I do I carry my really "good" T book and my really "good" A book..so if it ever starts "getting deep" I pull one of those babies outBenny

[RUNNERBUN]

Some 30 plus years ago when I completed he restoration of my 1927 Model T Roadster I drove it to my place of employment. As I arrived the chief engineer spotted me and got quite excited and came over for a look and a chat. He was very impressed and congratulated me on a job well done.
He then proceeded to tell me that I had the incorrect wheels on the car. He was adamant that the wheels were Model A and that the Model T only ever had wooden spoke wheels. No amount of talking was going to convince him otherwise.
The following day I showed him a ford factory photograph of a 1927 T Roadster which had the wire wheels and also two wheels from a model A and a model T. to show him the difference.
I guess we will all get old and have our memory play tricks on us sooner or later.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Agree with above comments ...... nothing too new ...... appears not too much changed in almost 100 years.

My Dad, born 1902, told me of an old hard-headed guy, born in the late 1800's, who used to live in our rural area years ago.

His then young son-in-law moved about 90 miles away and became a Model T Ford auto salesman in about 1920. The old guy who never owned a car, hopped on a train, and went to visit his son-in-law at this Ford Dealership.

When he returned, he got into a bloody bar fight with a local guy who had just purchased a "new" Model T from a Ford Dealer only about 10 miles away.

What was the bloody fight about?

The old fart swore that the new Model T's that his son-in-law was selling at his work place 90 miles away were very much larger than the local Dealership's Model T's only 10 miles away.

[C26Pinelake]

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Yes it happens all the time and my approach is to smile and let it go. You're not going to change their mind so why ruin two peoples day. You know the truth and that is all that matters. I especially never correct an old timer in front of his family, especially his grandchildren. Let him have his day in the sunshine ! It really does not matter. Wayne

[Tom Wesenberg]

Maybe he was thinking of the Ford car? Wasn't 1936 the first all steel top for the cars?

[james hitchcock]

I would never try to correct someone in front of their family. He actually was calling me a fool in front of mine. I politely told him this was just on the pick up. Nooooo way, he said.

[Not George]

Most human beings tend to believe that they are the authority in their chosen hobby/field, and sometimes even on things they know very little about, and are adamant about proving this point, until they become fully matured. It happens on this, and every other forum all the time. As well as in everyday life.
I try to take the advice of C26Pinelake, but sometimes my immaturity gets the best of me. And I'm not an authority on anything.

[John Stone]

I'm sure there are a lot of similar stories. I had the same one with my 31 steel top pickup and one with my 28 Business coupe. He said on the original funnel neck radiator, the funnel part was much wider on the original. Couldn't convince him. At Learjet we always called them "instant experts".

[eagle]

I was lined up for a parade one time, and just as we were pulling out, an older guy came up to my window and told me that the placard on my A that listed it as a '29 was wrong. "It has to be a 30 or 31 because it has the smooth cowl" I explained that the Fordor had the smooth cowl earlier, etc etc. He absolutely got fightin' mad angry because I didn't know anything, etc. I let it go, and had to speed up to get my place back in line. I enjoy it when someone asks questions, and also sometimes I learn something from an interested spectator, but I really dislike the vitreol some people can display so quickly. Sometimes here on Fordbarn a good honest discussion can turn sour too when someone gets their back up. I appreciate some of you long-time Fordbarners who get your ears nipped for trying to help, and then turn right around and continue helping others.

[james hitchcock]

I'm always willing to learn. I just know enough to be dangerous.

[700rpm]

My dad used to say, "People who think they know everything are damned annoying to those of us who actually do know everything."

[Bill Underwood]

Yep those that
"Don't know that they don't know" are a pain in the butt to convince
I've pretty much quit discussing things past the first back and forth!
And I never tell anyone they are wrong because I don't really care if they are right or wrong!
Some attitude huh?

[Keith True]

I watched some guys at a show a few years ago arguing over what the term,Deuce,meant.One guy claimed it was used to describe the cars that only had one window in each side,for a total of two,meaning Deuce.Another guy said it was for the cars with two windows on each side,so,Deuce.This went round for 15 minutes or so,and the owner/builder of the car stepped up and said it was because it was a thirty-TWO,and that's where the deuce term came from.The guys that had been arguing turned on the owner of the car and told him he didn't know what he was talking about.In trying to find out where they had gotten their education it was found that the guys had never owned an old car,or a rod,had never built anything,they were just armchair experts.

[Rex_A_Lott]

I always enjoy talking to people who know more than I do, its how I learn things.
You should try it too.
Most of the time I just let this slide, but if I get enough I use one of Pop's old lines:
" If you so damn smart, how come you aint rich?"

[Cool Hand Lurker]

The next time one of those know-it-all guys tells you something you don't know whether to believe, just ask me. I will tell you if he is right.

[bikejunk]

I was at a car show last year with a guy insisting that model A's never had shock absorbers as standard equipment -even showing him a period brochure didn't change his mind - ya kant win

[Tinbasher]

The Guys that know it all, show you the day they stopped learning. I have a friend of mine that told me this story. He said" I know some better restores them me". This came from a man that had three cars win at the Pebble Beach Concours. There's one to keep you humble. Especially when this man work is amazing.

John Poole

So much more to learn so little time.

[SSsssteamer]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Maybe he was thinking of the Ford car? Wasn't 1936 the first all steel top for the cars?

1937 Was the first all steel top for the Ford Car.

[james hitchcock]

I tried to tell the guy that this was just on the pick up.

[dumb person]

Originally Posted by 37Benny

I don't go to shows anymore..last show I went to got talking to guy about Model A's and began to talk to me "like a dumb kid"

How does this stop you going to shows?

[pooch]

Originally Posted by 37Benny

I don't go to shows anymore..last show I went to got talking to guy about Model A's and began to talk to me "like a dumb kid" even though he was the one scared to drive his Model A to the show because it had mechanical brakes..(scary) even though it was driven new with mechanical brakes..and had to stop the car back then?..now I don't go to shows I go to swap meets and when I do I carry my really "good" T book and my really "good" A book..so if it ever starts "getting deep" I pull one of those babies outBenny

Just wear a CHEV lapel pin or T shirt.

The model A guys will avoid you like the plague.

[caboose]

Originally Posted by SSsssteamer

1937 Was the first all steel top for the Ford Car.

And one piece hood that opened from the front.

[asapguy]

Yes, Ford was a little behind the times when it came to an all steel "turret top" which Chevy Master Deluxe & other GM cars (except Buick)had in 1935.

[rogerkb1936]

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years ago, i was at a picnic put on by the now defunct " back forty region" in western maine. i was close enough to two old timers to overhear their discussion about the possibilities of consummating the marital act in a model a rumble seat. these guys were serious and vehement. one guy says, ain't no way anybody ever got --- in a model a rumble seat. the other guy says, bull---, i used to do it all the time. and it went on. further discussion about personal experience will not be forthcoming.

[rogerkb1936]

years ago at a picnic put on by the now defunct "back forty region" in western maine, i heard two old timers arguing about the possibility of consummating the marital act in a model a rumble seat. they were serious and vehement. one old guy says, there's no way a guy can get --- in a model a rumble seat. the other guy says, bull--, i used to do it all the time. and it went on. personal experiences in this area will not be forthcoming.

[marc hildebrant]

You can see the same "dynamics" played out in this forum with the "know it all's".

Marc

[TonyM]

Originally Posted by SSsssteamer

1937 Was the first all steel top for the Ford Car.

I had a hard time convincing a guy that there was no such thing as a 1937 Ford "Business" Coupe.

[Hicktick]

The problem with being a know it all ,., is as you get older you forget so much ,.,
As long as my wife thinks I am the smartest man alive ,.,. Ive got it made ,.,

,.

[37Benny]

Originally Posted by dumb person

How does this stop you going to shows?

it didn't. i much rather be going on a tour or out for a ride then parked all day listening to some crummy cover band that only knows one tempo Benny

[37Benny]

Originally Posted by pooch

Just wear a CHEV lapel pin or T shirt.

The model A guys will avoid you like the plague.

haha what really throws people off is my Model T hat has a Dodge Brothers pin in itbenny

[eagle]

Originally Posted by 37Benny

haha what really throws people off is my Model T hat has a Dodge Brothers pin in itbenny

The Dodge bros were responsible for much of the early T's

[C26Pinelake]

My dad once said that if. You win a battle with an idiot or a fool you have won nothing ! Wayne

[DadOfTwo]

'My mind's made up. Don't confuse me with facts.'

It's not that I have to always be right. I have to hear you tell me I'm right.

In reality: I actually thought I knew a little about A's. Then I joined this forum and found out how ignorant I am...

[37Benny]

Originally Posted by eagle

The Dodge bros were responsible for much of the early T's

and pretty much most of the Ford Motor Company..when it started Poor Henry didn't have much except some patents , the Dodge Brothers had the machines to build a lot of the stuff..and later on they had to take Ford to court to get what was theirs. Benny

[ODFever]

I took my A over to my in-laws house shortly after we brought her home. My mom-in-law flipped out! She absolutely loves everything about the car. My dad-in-law came out and chose to pick the car apart. He told me everything that's wrong with it. He has never owned a Model A or T in his life. He told me that there was supposed to be a hose between the heater box and the floor hole. I told him no, there was never a hose there. I refuted all of the things he discovered that were so wrong with my car except the one tiny spot where the paint is chipped. Later, under his breath, he admitted that the car is really nice and he'd love to own a coupe. I was still p!$$ed that he ripped on the car. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how jealous he is of it. He wishes he could own a Model A that looks and runs just as nice.

[marc hildebrant]

ODFever,

I never had a good relationship with my father in law...The Model A is just an excuse to be a jerk.

Marc

[hangarb7]

My Daddy always said, "If you know what you are talking about, people will know. If you don't, they'll know that, too!"

Sure wish my Dad was around when I bought my 'A'. He would have enjoyed it. His first car was an Essex and his second was a Lafayette.

The two things people always say to me at shows is, "Bet you can't find parts (or tires) for these!" Or, "I hear the brakes are terrible!" Wrong on both counts.

JackD

[mrtexas]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Maybe he was thinking of the Ford car? Wasn't 1936 the first all steel top for the cars?

Nope, 1937

[WestCoast]

ive run into the experts also, the ones who come over and start pointing out things wrong with your high points car, yes I have one but I prefer the driver I have, a 29 tudor, my beat around car, any way I ask him where is your car, I would like to see it, the usual response is, oh, I don't have it here today, then I get pushy and ask him where do you live, I would like to stop by and see it, that usually ends the conversation

[Mike V. Florida]

My answer to those that are mistaken, "Really, I'll have to look into that more".

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

My answer to those that are mistaken, "Really, I'll have to look into that more".

That is a very sensible response ! Bottom line is what does it matter ?
Wayne

[walt jones]

I was told that the metal top of late 31 pickup cabs were known as Bud tops. is this correct?

Cheers

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by walt jones

I was told that the metal top of late 31 pickup cabs were known as Bud tops. is this correct?

Cheers

The whole cab was made by Budd, not just the top. Known as a Budd Cab.

[darrylkmc]

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Budd, as in Budd Wheel Company

[ronn]

Budd, as in Budd Wheel Company

bud wise err!