The Ford Barn

hardtimes · 08-13-2015, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kahuna

OK,
When is the trip starting?
I want to follow along
Jim

X2...this is interesting on a number of levels ! How much tough use can a stock Model A (in superb condition) absorb and still keep going

Mike V. Florida · 08-13-2015, 11:11 PM

I too look forward to hearing about how it goes.

Marshall57 · 08-14-2015, 01:21 AM

When I was young we did this kind of hang it all out stuff all the time. Carry cash, you will have options. Get a Mafca Roster and a triple A card. It is going to be a head knocker and something to tell folks about for years. Your worries are getting killed in the processes. Do whatever it takes to alert drivers coming up from behind. Just remember that you Wanted to be there and it will go down easier. I will check your route again, but being up in Elko Nevada, I doubt I'm on the way. Understand your odds of making it without a hitch is low, so bring enough stuff to MacGyver your way out of some of the smaller problems. People on the way may be the key, so bring a computer and report your progress. Good luck and hope to hear how it is going.

40 Deluxe · 08-14-2015, 01:54 AM

In the model A's youth and middle age, cross country travel with even a high mileage A was not a problem because every gas station and small town garage had all the parts you were likely to need. Belts, hoses, points, condensers, plugs, coils, batteries, generator and starter parts, tires, tubes, brakes, and the list goes on.
Plus, there were no interstates so all the highways went right through the middle of every city and town. Now, not so much! So you have to plan ahead, and carry your own spares.

P.S. · 08-14-2015, 09:32 AM

Thank you for your input.

If I were in my 50's or older, I probably wouldn't do this. However, I'm at least 10-20 years away from playing "old guy", so our circumstances may be very different.

I am shipping a bunch of stuff over to take along on the trip. We will have common spare parts and tools. I will certainly bring along the directory and we will have cell phones on two separate large carriers.

Considering the response here, I probably won't blog the trip. We do plan to take photos along the way, so I might share some if they look interesting enough. The guys that PM'ed me, I will be in touch if we come by your town.

Thank you again.

Mitch//pa · 08-14-2015, 09:36 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

i was hoping that you would blog the trip.. dang it
i wish you the best of luck and be safe

Dave in MN · 08-14-2015, 02:58 PM

I hope you have a successful trip. I live in Minnesota and bought a "restored " car in Las Vegas 15 years ago. I had toyed with driving the Phaeton leisurely back to Minnesota, thinking it a great adventure. In the end, I trailered it back. After getting it home, I drove it (5 miles to town) to fill the tank and scored the #4 cylinder after only 4 miles on the road. The water jacket was plugged with scale around the back side of #4. I would have been in deep trouble if I had tried to drive it from Las Vegas to Minnesota.
Since then, I have put over 80,000 miles on this car but have personally gone through the entire drive train, including steering, brakes, new touring engine, wiring, lighting and body. Now I know and trust what I have and would not think twice of starting out across country on a road trip like you plan.
My wife and I did complete a 9200 mile cross country trip in 2013. I did all the driving and found that 300 miles was about my comfort limit each day. I hope the planned 600 miles a day won't do the two of you in.
Again, I hope you have a good trip. Please let us know how the adventure goes.
Good Day!

Added comment: Go for it! Some of the best memories I have of my various road trips is what went wrong and how we overcame the problems. It will be one hell of a story to tell and you are right, you have to be there for your good friend!

marc hildebrant · 08-14-2015, 04:08 PM

P.S.

You said "If I were in my 50's or older, I probably wouldn't do this. However, I'm at least 10-20 years away from playing "old guy", so our circumstances may be very different."

Since when is old age a problem ? In many cultures, the old people are respected and their years of experience count for something.

Many old people live active, exciting lives.

Marc

jeep44 · 08-14-2015, 04:31 PM

I'm surprised no one had made mention of this coast-to-coast speed run from just a year or two ago in a Model A:

http://www.vintageadventurer.com.au/...lenge-america/

CarlG · 08-14-2015, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeep44

I'm surprised no one had made mention of this coast-to-coast speed run from just a year or two ago in a Model A:

http://www.vintageadventurer.com.au/...lenge-america/

Don't think they ever finished the trip. Seems like they broke the crank in Texas someplace.

jeep44 · 08-14-2015, 04:36 PM

They made the trip a second time, and finished.

P.S. · 09-12-2015, 10:48 AM

UPDATE

People keep asking, so here is my final "public" comment on this trip.

Got home late last night. Not one problem with the car. About all we did was generate a lot of dirty motor oil. Very smooth trip. It poured rain through most of Florida and south Texas.

Memo to those we met in Alabama- You were the nicest people we met the whole trip. I could easily see moving there.

Memo to those we met in Mississippi- You too!

For the Model A that was on the trailer in the panhandle of Florida- Drive it next time!! Ha ha.

Mitch//pa · 09-12-2015, 11:17 AM

i told you that you would be fine

hardtimes · 09-12-2015, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.S.

UPDATE

People keep asking, so here is my final "public" comment on this trip.

Got home late last night. Not one problem with the car. About all we did was generate a lot of dirty motor oil. Very smooth trip. It poured rain through most of Florida and south Texas.

Memo to those we met in Alabama- You were the nicest people we met the whole trip. I could easily see moving there.

Memo to those we met in Mississippi- You too!

For the Model A that was on the trailer in the panhandle of Florida- Drive it next time!! Ha ha.

CONGRATULATIONS , on your successful 'adventure'

!
How many miles total, if you know, and how many miles driven per day at what average speed ?

Fred K-OR · 09-12-2015, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.S.

UPDATE

People keep asking, so here is my final "public" comment on this trip.

Got home late last night. Not one problem with the car. About all we did was generate a lot of dirty motor oil. Very smooth trip. It poured rain through most of Florida and south Texas.

Memo to those we met in Alabama- You were the nicest people we met the whole trip. I could easily see moving there.

Memo to those we met in Mississippi- You too!

For the Model A that was on the trailer in the panhandle of Florida- Drive it next time!! Ha ha.

Great to hear you made it OK. Now get back to work!!!

burner31 · 09-12-2015, 04:07 PM

Congratulations, that is quite a feat.
But...
You drove a Model A clear across the Country, and I'm thinking you took at least one or two pictures of it during your trip.
How about of picture of the marvelous machine.
I for one would love to see it.

700rpm · 09-12-2015, 05:09 PM

I got a couple notes from them during the journey. They were making over 600 miles per day. Gotta be younger than me to do that!

Tom Wesenberg · 09-12-2015, 10:40 PM

I found the same thing as you in Alabama, when I spent 6 months there during military service. I met some really mice people and liked it there. I requested to stay there, but was sent to El Paso.

blgitn · 09-13-2015, 07:25 AM

I'd like to read all about it and see some pictures; if you don't want to put them up here, how about posting a link?

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.S.

UPDATE

People keep asking, so here is my final "public" comment on this trip.

Got home late last night. Not one problem with the car. About all we did was generate a lot of dirty motor oil. Very smooth trip. It poured rain through most of Florida and south Texas.

Memo to those we met in Alabama- You were the nicest people we met the whole trip. I could easily see moving there.

Memo to those we met in Mississippi- You too!

For the Model A that was on the trailer in the panhandle of Florida- Drive it next time!! Ha ha.

burner31 · 09-13-2015, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I found the same thing as you in Alabama, when I spent 6 months there during military service. I met some really mice people and liked it there. I requested to stay there, but was sent to El Paso.

I've always wondered where all the mice people live

08-13-2015, 11:11 PM	#82
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Coast to coast I too look forward to hearing about how it goes. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

08-14-2015, 01:21 AM	#83
Marshall57 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Elko Nevada Posts: 217	Re: Coast to coast When I was young we did this kind of hang it all out stuff all the time. Carry cash, you will have options. Get a Mafca Roster and a triple A card. It is going to be a head knocker and something to tell folks about for years. Your worries are getting killed in the processes. Do whatever it takes to alert drivers coming up from behind. Just remember that you Wanted to be there and it will go down easier. I will check your route again, but being up in Elko Nevada, I doubt I'm on the way. Understand your odds of making it without a hitch is low, so bring enough stuff to MacGyver your way out of some of the smaller problems. People on the way may be the key, so bring a computer and report your progress. Good luck and hope to hear how it is going.

08-14-2015, 01:54 AM	#84
40 Deluxe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: now Kuna, Idaho Posts: 3,778	Re: Coast to coast In the model A's youth and middle age, cross country travel with even a high mileage A was not a problem because every gas station and small town garage had all the parts you were likely to need. Belts, hoses, points, condensers, plugs, coils, batteries, generator and starter parts, tires, tubes, brakes, and the list goes on. Plus, there were no interstates so all the highways went right through the middle of every city and town. Now, not so much! So you have to plan ahead, and carry your own spares.

08-14-2015, 09:32 AM	#85
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Posts: 1,687	Re: Coast to coast Thank you for your input. If I were in my 50's or older, I probably wouldn't do this. However, I'm at least 10-20 years away from playing "old guy", so our circumstances may be very different. I am shipping a bunch of stuff over to take along on the trip. We will have common spare parts and tools. I will certainly bring along the directory and we will have cell phones on two separate large carriers. Considering the response here, I probably won't blog the trip. We do plan to take photos along the way, so I might share some if they look interesting enough. The guys that PM'ed me, I will be in touch if we come by your town. Thank you again.

08-14-2015, 09:36 AM	#86
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Coast to coast Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) i was hoping that you would blog the trip.. dang it i wish you the best of luck and be safe

08-14-2015, 02:58 PM	#87
Dave in MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Jordan, MN Posts: 1,411	Re: Coast to coast I hope you have a successful trip. I live in Minnesota and bought a "restored " car in Las Vegas 15 years ago. I had toyed with driving the Phaeton leisurely back to Minnesota, thinking it a great adventure. In the end, I trailered it back. After getting it home, I drove it (5 miles to town) to fill the tank and scored the #4 cylinder after only 4 miles on the road. The water jacket was plugged with scale around the back side of #4. I would have been in deep trouble if I had tried to drive it from Las Vegas to Minnesota. Since then, I have put over 80,000 miles on this car but have personally gone through the entire drive train, including steering, brakes, new touring engine, wiring, lighting and body. Now I know and trust what I have and would not think twice of starting out across country on a road trip like you plan. My wife and I did complete a 9200 mile cross country trip in 2013. I did all the driving and found that 300 miles was about my comfort limit each day. I hope the planned 600 miles a day won't do the two of you in. Again, I hope you have a good trip. Please let us know how the adventure goes. Good Day! Added comment: Go for it! Some of the best memories I have of my various road trips is what went wrong and how we overcame the problems. It will be one hell of a story to tell and you are right, you have to be there for your good friend! Last edited by Dave in MN; 08-14-2015 at 03:43 PM.

08-14-2015, 04:08 PM	#88
marc hildebrant Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 1,128	Re: Coast to coast P.S. You said "If I were in my 50's or older, I probably wouldn't do this. However, I'm at least 10-20 years away from playing "old guy", so our circumstances may be very different." Since when is old age a problem ? In many cultures, the old people are respected and their years of experience count for something. Many old people live active, exciting lives. Marc

08-14-2015, 04:31 PM	#89
jeep44 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: canton,michigan Posts: 312	Re: Coast to coast I'm surprised no one had made mention of this coast-to-coast speed run from just a year or two ago in a Model A: http://www.vintageadventurer.com.au/...lenge-america/

08-14-2015, 04:36 PM	#91
jeep44 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: canton,michigan Posts: 312	Re: Coast to coast They made the trip a second time, and finished.

09-12-2015, 10:48 AM	#92
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Posts: 1,687	Re: Coast to coast UPDATE People keep asking, so here is my final "public" comment on this trip. Got home late last night. Not one problem with the car. About all we did was generate a lot of dirty motor oil. Very smooth trip. It poured rain through most of Florida and south Texas. Memo to those we met in Alabama- You were the nicest people we met the whole trip. I could easily see moving there. Memo to those we met in Mississippi- You too! For the Model A that was on the trailer in the panhandle of Florida- Drive it next time!! Ha ha.

09-12-2015, 11:17 AM	#93
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Coast to coast i told you that you would be fine

09-12-2015, 04:07 PM	#96
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: Coast to coast Congratulations, that is quite a feat. But... You drove a Model A clear across the Country, and I'm thinking you took at least one or two pictures of it during your trip. How about of picture of the marvelous machine. I for one would love to see it. __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

09-12-2015, 05:09 PM	#97
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,902	Re: Coast to coast I got a couple notes from them during the journey. They were making over 600 miles per day. Gotta be younger than me to do that! __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

09-12-2015, 10:40 PM	#98
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Coast to coast I found the same thing as you in Alabama, when I spent 6 months there during military service. I met some really mice people and liked it there. I requested to stay there, but was sent to El Paso.