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Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in front ...
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f Tim, were you an eyewitness to the wreck? we were about a mile or more back in the stopped cars, past where the chopper & fire truck were parked.
we heard slightly different reports and yours is better in both number & severity of personal injuries and number & extent of cars damaged. our prayers go out for all involved for complete & speedy recovery. |
Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f Wow! This is serious. Perhaps a running brake function test should be added to both the fine-point and touring JS, and mandatory for any tour participation. Fortunately both drivers reacted by steering out of the line of traffic. That's not always the case in a panic situation.
Makes me wonder if it was fade from steel drums or just general poor brake condition. Either way, brakes that are OK on flat land without a lot of stops may not be safe in traffic on steep grades, especially if the driver is not experienced in down-shifting for engine braking and does not have hill country driving experience. |
Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f We can only speculate, but this situation -- long string of cars in unfamiliar "hill country" -- has caused plenty of accidents over the last 80 years. Add in a postcard-perfect barn surrounded by day lilies in that field off to the right ... or a glimpse of some wildlife, a fawn perhaps ... or just a pothole avoidance maneuver a couple cars ahead ... and the flash of amber brake lights can travel back down the parade at a hundred miles an hour. It is not necessarily the brakes or the tires' contact patch that is the limiting factor. If your car is too close, you gotta do the "avoidance" exercise fast.
Soo, when you are on tour with your old car buddies or in a parade, leave lots of car spaces between you and the guy in front. That will give you a safety margin when you are rubber-necking the scenery or the lead car brakes for a squirrel. AND, you won't find yourself inadvertently testing whether your Model A's front bumper matches up with the Model A in front's back bumper! End of lecture. |
Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f As I remember, there is a god awful hill in town there. Please tell me is wasn't on that one.
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f with only 2 cars involved , maybe it was just lack of a cushion area . i hope all are well ............ steve
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f Thanks for posting this Tim. It serves as a reminder to us to make sure our brakes are in top shape and that we pay attention to our driving. Pray that all victims have a speedy recovery and that the Model
A's are repaired and back on the road. What a tragedy. |
Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f Just put cast iron drums on my coupe this year, new everything - and they work great! Always followed at a safe distance and especially careful going down hills, but had enough with the emergency brake stopping! Hope all are okay - cars can be fixed.
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f I think nearly every Model A owner has had a "high pucker factor" incident at one time or another. I remember my introduction to the limits of drum brakes, and have been a wiser driver since.
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f The victims are in our prayers. I hope everyone comes out of this in good shape.
We have always felt that not enough attention is made on the brakes on the Model A. In the Model A Times we have addressed this important topic several times, but it looks like it should be addressed again. But in perfect shape the mechanical brakes are not the same as modern brakes on cars today. Perhaps there was some driver error involved in this, perhaps following closer than they should because they were not aware of the greater stopping distance of a Model A as opposed to a modern car. Even if they were use to the brakes on a Model A the added weight of five people in the car would tax the brakes and should be taken into account when leaving distance between the car in front and the driver's vehicle. Having a brake check at the meets before the tour would be nice, but quite the chore and might make the grand tour less attractive of an event. Perhaps some local "Model A driver" training could be done by the member's local chapter. When I was president of a local chapter I had a driving instructor come to the meeting and speak about defensive driving in regards to the Model A and current traffic. But any one who has done a lot of Model A driving might be able to put together a similar talk. |
Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f This is not just a Model A "caravan" problem...it happens anytime you get a large group of cars together and expect to stay together as you all go down the road. It just doesn't seem to work that way.
I've run several large caravans of Shelby Cobra replicas...cars that not only can accellerate 0-100 fast enough to rearrange your fillings...but most also have massive 4-wheel multi-piston disc brakes and can stop quick enough to cause your teeth to be snatched right out of your head! Drivers in the front of the caravan usually say they're going to "keep it sane"...and try to stay at 45-50 MPH...and they normally do. But, then the "ping-ponging" starts...spaces start to appear between cars in the middle of the pack...and everyone in the rear starts to speed up in an attempt to keep up with those in front. First thing you know, guys in the back of the pack at doing 100+ MPH just to keep up with those in front...who are still only going 45-50. At those speeds...all someone has to do is become slightly inattentive...something along the side of the roadway catches their eye...something in the cockpit distracts them for a moment...and then all you hear is a simultaneous screech of tires as everyone tries to haul it back down. It's just the nature of a long colums of cars to behave like this. I've seen some nasty rear-enders in lines like this...usually resulting in more than bent and broken cars...but lifelong friendships shot-to-hell in less than a heartbeat. I've almost been run into several times...and almost run into others several more. I certainly hope everyone's okay in this little melee... Cars can be fixed...and dogs can be fixed....people, not so much. Take it light... |
Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f |
Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f EVERYONE is in fine shape, the slant was flat bed-ed home and the cab was DRIVEN home. Minor damage that can ALL be fixed and had NOTHING to do with drums, or brakes, Also i might note. Neither car had any SEAT BELTS!!!!! Just another reason for safety always!!
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f our prayers that the folks recover ok. Clem
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medical update: yesterday AM we spoke with the man who had the suspected broken neck. his neck was fine, but he had a beautiful shiner, many scratches and scrapes and his vision in the black eye was still fuzzy.
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f Quote:
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f Quote:
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f Original brakes aren't suitable for occassions like that. Hydraulic brakes should be mandatory for cars that are driven,times have changed,driving habits have and need to show the car and trailer it or quit being a safety hazard. I practice what I preach.
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f Quote:
Perhaps Hydraulic brakes do something after lockup that I am not aware of. Please inform me of their increased braking features and capabilities after reaching lockup.:confused: |
Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f Carl, Hydraulics may not be the answer , because if you lose one line the whole system fails! You can remove one rod and the mechanical will still work. Limiting factor is tire size if you have cast drums properly installed and the systems is up to par. Bubby Sharp in KY
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f I agree with Gary if you know what your doing, the original brake system works perfect
mike |
Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f I agree, hydraulic brakes are an unnecessary modification if people would become serious about keeping the braking system in proper working condition. It is laziness on the part of the owner to have bad brakes!
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f CARL,
What do juice brakes do to prevent or minimize brake fade??? My mechanical brakes with cast drums do not fade, at least on the big hills and warm temperatures when I drive daily. |
Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f Gary,
The hydraulic brakes lock up all 4 wheels at the same time. Charlie Stephens |
Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f Quote:
I don't have any experience or information to make that call. Gary |
Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f I was stuck for a couple hours up the hill from the accident. A couple of observations. The slant had what appears to be a borg-warner overdrive, did free wheeling enter into the problem? Also, when I went down the hill, I had my car in low gear and still had to hit the brakes to keep the engine together.
Anyway, the meet was great. We had a good time but are glad to be back to the flatlands. |
Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f the accident was caused by driver error.
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f I have no idea who's brakes were good or bad. But to say it was caused by one thing is ludicrous. Should of, would of, could of.
Being a passenger in one of the vehicles involved, it was a combination of the unexpected, not prepared for the unexpected, and a heroic effort by one driver to avoid slamming into passengers in a rumble seat and ending up with the worst of it. I think he saved some lives or more serious injury. Hydraulic brakes, my ***! |
Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f My cast iron drum, mechanical brakes don't fade in my hilly locale where I drive daily to include in warm temperatures.
WHAT is the reason that "juice brakes" would be LESS LIKELY TO FADE ??? |
Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f Gary I agree with you on our roadster at 50 mph with Flathesd Ted's system all four wheel are locked rubber smoke on the road and stopped in 2 1/2 cars lengths, cars remained straight just my experience Gord. B by the bay
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f You may have the best brakes on your A but with no seat belts you still go through the windshield and catch the steering wheel on the way by. Gord. B by the Bay
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f i will bet both A model drivers got a citation for failing to have control of their vech, or following to close [as cause of acciden't] does anyone know?.
when they app. in court..... juice brake's, parking brake, bad brake's or a failed drag chute will not mean a thing. it was operater error. JMHO. |
Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f All of y'all are argueing about brakes. Who even said it was the brakes that caused the accidents? Who said it was the operators fault? nobody
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f everyone stop assuming... There was NO BREAK Problem at all!!!, they slid off the road to avoid the cars in front of them, and one went to the right on the ravine and it was not revene but a ditch, the growth covered the shoulder and 2 tires were off the payment, hanging off the ravine, yes 2 more feet and they too would have rolled over ,. The other did the same to avoid the car in front and went down the ravine and rolled over. All okay and that is it in a nutshell, No break failure at all. We had terrible storms that night before, the pavement was wet, lots of cars in a tour.. it Happened.. PERIOD, accidents happen every day@!
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f Amen!!
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f After watching the recovery videos I want to say that that wrecker crew did a pretty damn good job. Looks like all the care in the world was taken.
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f Coming home yesterday, from the pettie jean meet saw 5 wrecks all new cars why dint we run over and see if we can improve on those cars, get real accidents happen period
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f 6 Attachment(s)
Have photo's of cars off road, several of us that were there got the worst case of chigger bites you ever saw, still putting cream on bites, Tim had to go to doctor and get shot for bites, talked to the men from Southern A's that are going to pickup car in Ramsey, IN., they will travel from Ohio with trailer on Tuesday to pickup car and return home, thank you John for providing a place to store car and paying tow bill, Bruce
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Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f I wasn't there, I didn't witness the accident, so any thing I might say about the cause would be nothing more than my opion, so I won't go there. After seeing the video of the recovery efforts and the pictures of the cars off the road, all I can say is thank God the injuries were not more serious than they were.
No matter how careful we are, sometimes accidents do happen! |
Re: Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in f Whoa... that is crazy. It looks like a toy car up-side-down. Not used to seeing them in that orientation.
So glad that no one was hurt worse than they were. Again. Wow. Everyone put those seat belts in their car!! (Including ME!) |
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