Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlG
There's a 29 Chevy 4-door sedan that cruises with us sometimes. It's a neat car allright, but hearing the tales of parts searches (compared to the As) is scarry. He does have a bit of trouble keeping up with the As in the hills though.
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Wow, that surprises me. I think the horsepower on the 1929's were like 48 horses (rated 50 horse in 1931) compared to the Model-A's 40 horses. Granted the Chevrolet was about 150 lbs heavier, but I was thinking they had a 3.80-something rear axle ratio. With 20% more horsepower than the Model A, and a little stronger gear ratio to compensate for the slight amount of additional weight, there is no reason in the world why your friend's car should be struggling to keep up with y'all. In reality, it should be the other way around!
Let me tell a little story that happened when I was a kid that I still remember to this day. In the mid to late 60's, there was a man (-actually a really old man!) named Hilliard Duncan in the Houston HCCA club that had a '29 Chev. Brougham (like pictured below) that would drive his car everywhere all over the state of Texas to tours and club events. I remember as plain as day him getting ready to go home from a club outing and telling my dad (who had a '31 Roadster) and Bill Coleman ('30 Coupe) "
Well boys I'll see you later." My dad and Bill said we'll be behind you. Mr. Duncan replied, "
I don't think so boys. When I get to the top of that overpass, that will be the last you see of me." Well, my dad and Bill weren't buying into that nonsense whatsoever so we all loaded up and left together with my dad leading the way and me "ridin' shotgun". Guess what, true to his word as soon as we all crested that overpass, Mr. Duncan pulled around us in the passing lane and then started fading off into the distance. That old Chevy would cruise effortlessly at 60mph ...and he could push it to 65 if need be. He drove that car to many Texas Tours and club outings where others would put their cars on a trailer. THAT little episode was the main reason my dad purchased his '31 Landau Phaeton. (if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!
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