The Ford Barn - View Single Post - Two Model A's drive off the road today in French Lick to avoid hittings cars in front

Bruce · 06-18-2010, 08:00 AM

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.

06-18-2010, 08:00 AM	#4
Bruce Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sun City West, AZ Posts: 491	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.