Gear shift lever on a Model A

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by daveymc29

A good friend of mine learned to drive in a Model A in the 40's. He was getting lucky on a date and she instructed him to pull the lever up and get the shifter out of their way. Funny what girls knew about cars that we dummies never thought of. That works best if the car is in neutral and is an early 28 with the brake on the other side. A very proper looking elderly lady came to look at my rumble seat when I first bought my roadster. She told me, "I lost my virginity in one just like that." So much for prim and proper

She must have been a gymnast!!

[CHuDWah]

Originally Posted by Hoogah

She must have been a gymnast!!

Or a contortionist!!

Yeah, it works although it takes some muscle unless your spring is weak (no, not THAT spring - the one on the gearshift ). Fortunately I found less cramped places than a Model A to do my "sparkin". So I told gullible passengers that pulling up and turning the shift lever engaged the overdrive.

Was this feature intentional or just a consequence of the design otherwise? I don't recall seeing anything about it in A documents from the period. Does it also work on 30's V-8 Fords?