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Old 04-13-2021, 11:10 PM   #1
Model A Ron
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Default Longest trip you took in a Model A

I am thinking about taking a 250 mile trip from Troutman NC to Patriots Point naval park in Charleston SC. This is the home of the USS York Town.

The trip may not be very far but it would be a good test drive for my new to me 29 Phaeton. So that said how far have you driven your Model A. Tell us about your trip and be sure to give pointers on what to expect.

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Ron

Last edited by Model A Ron; 04-13-2021 at 11:15 PM.
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Old 04-13-2021, 11:32 PM   #2
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Default Re: Longest trip you took in a Model A

My first long one was a 1200 mile RT from Portland, OR to Eureke, CA, in 1965 when I was 18 with my cousin in an unrestored 1929 pickup.
Next was a 1400 mile RT from Portland, OR to San Luis Obispo in an unrestored ‘28 RPU in 1972. I wouldn’t do that trip today. Too much traffic!
My third longest was 1000 miles right after I restored my ‘29 Tudor in 1980. Went from Portlland, OR to Victoria BC. Broke in the the new engine; it took us two weeks. A life changing trip in many ways.
Alas, for me, the days of long trips are over. I’m too old and creaky and the traffic is too intense, fast, and dangerous. I always thought I’d do a four corners tour of the US in my A, but it just ain’t gonna happen.

TIPS: Ron, do it. You will gain a lot of experience and have a great time. Take back roads whenever you can. You have some beautiful country to travel through. Take your time. Stop to see stuff. Avoid large cities. Whatever Google says for travel time, double that, at least.
Take an extra condensor, a gallon of water, a tow rope, some 16 ga wire, a fire extinguisher, a cell phone, a MAFCA or MARC directory, and a small tool kit.
Others will make suggestions, but those are the essentials I take on any long and lonesome tour. Yours will be relatively short and your car is restored; you will likely have no troubles.
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Old 04-13-2021, 11:36 PM   #3
Model A Ron
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Default Re: Longest trip you took in a Model A

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1000 miles right after I restored my 29 ‘Tudor in 1980. Went from Portlland, OR to Victoria BC. Broke in the the new engine; it took us two weeks. A life changing trip in many ways.
Now that a good way to test out a new engine. Do you still have the same car today and if so how many miles do you have on that engine?
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Old 04-14-2021, 01:17 PM   #4
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Now that a good way to test out a new engine. Do you still have the same car today and if so how many miles do you have on that engine?
I still have the car. Unfortunately, I didn’t keep mileage records for that first engine rebuild, and I was given incorrect instructions about the spark advance and subsequently prematurely blew out the rear main. After repairing that I have put about 9000 miles on the engine, with new valve grind about 5000 miles ago. I don’t drive it as much as I used to. Current Tudor mileage on the last rebuild is 5543. I expect this last engine rebuild will out last me. In the last four years I have mostly driven my coupe, and only about 1800 miles total.
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Old 04-13-2021, 11:51 PM   #5
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Default Re: Longest trip you took in a Model A

Coincidently, my longest single trip was also in a 1929 Phaeton when we did a lap of most of the continent. 12,000 miles with a camper trailer behind. That was 2014.
In a few weeks we set off on yet another trip, this time only about 8 or 9 thousand miles in the same car, again with camper in tow. All up, we have done about 40,000 miles like that now.
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Old 04-15-2021, 05:04 AM   #6
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Coincidently, my longest single trip was also in a 1929 Phaeton when we did a lap of most of the continent. 12,000 miles with a camper trailer behind. That was 2014.
In a few weeks we set off on yet another trip, this time only about 8 or 9 thousand miles in the same car, again with camper in tow. All up, we have done about 40,000 miles like that now.
Syncro, I salute you Sir, that is incredible!
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Old 04-15-2021, 06:42 AM   #7
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Syncro, I salute you Sir, that is incredible!
I was inspired to begin these outback trips by a friend who did his first in 1988. He drives a '28 Chev so we don't count his efforts but I think they are still worth a mention. He has now done in excess of 300,000 miles (several rebuilds in the mean time) and he will be joining us on the trip we are about to do. He has just had a few years stranded at home while he cared for his wife. She has now passed on so he is able to get back to what he loves.
IMO, that puts my 40,000 miles into perspective.
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Old 04-15-2021, 06:56 AM   #8
Chris in WNC
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Default Re: Longest trip you took in a Model A

Longest trip was Asheville NC to Marquette MI.
2865 miles total.....
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Old 04-15-2021, 08:41 AM   #9
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[/B]
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Longest trip was Asheville NC to Marquette MI.
2865 miles total.....
A very good trip for sure Chris. How long did it take you ? Wayne
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Old 04-20-2021, 12:29 PM   #10
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Default Re: Longest trip you took in a Model A

Syncro, I wouldn't mind seeing a picture of your Model A and trailer you pulled.
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Old 04-20-2021, 05:14 PM   #11
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Syncro, I wouldn't mind seeing a picture of your Model A and trailer you pulled.
PM sent.
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Old 04-14-2021, 07:02 AM   #12
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Default Re: Longest trip you took in a Model A

four of our club members went to the Reno meet. and from there we took a road trip through 7 states a total of 3800 miles. all in our Model A`s and in one place it was 112 degrees. the air coming through the windows was like a blast furnace. thank god for the hand held conditioner. you know the little bolt of water with a fan.
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Old 04-14-2021, 08:30 AM   #13
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Default Re: Longest trip you took in a Model A

Two years ago we took a trip to the west coast. By the time we arrived home it was a 8700 mile trip. Tightened a screw on the door handle and changed the oil that was it. Very fun time.
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Old 04-14-2021, 08:34 AM   #14
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Default Re: Longest trip you took in a Model A

Amazing to hear such great road trips
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Old 04-14-2021, 08:42 AM   #15
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Default Re: Longest trip you took in a Model A

Our club went from Detroit area to Williamsburg, Va for that National meet.
Go ahead and make that trip. That’s nothing to your car, but you will gain a ton of confidence. After that trip, you will take your car anywhere without even thinking about it. Have fun and let us know how you make out.
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Old 04-14-2021, 08:52 AM   #16
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Default Re: Longest trip you took in a Model A

My longest one day Model A runs were:
Doswell, Virginia to East Northport, NY 365 miles;
Virginia Beach, Virginia to East Northport, NY 417 miles;
Glen Burnie, Maryland to East Northport, NY 247 miles;
Northport, Maine to South Setauket, NY 368;
Hyannis, Cape Cod to South Setauket, NY 206;
Lake George, NY to South Setauket, NY 258 miles;
Lancaster, Pennsylvania to East Northport, NY 205 miles;
Pittsfield, Mass to East Northport, NY 187 miles;
Stow, Mass to South Setauket, NY 238 miles;
Sturbridge, Mass to South Setauket, NY 120 miles;
Alton Lake, New Hampshire to East Northport, NY 336 miles;
Hancock, Mass to South Setauket, NY 195 miles.


This year's (2021) run to the New England Meet in Newry, Maine will be my longest trip this year, about 366 miles each way. Because of my youth (78), the trip to Newry will be done in 2 days each way.

I do not trailer my Model A's. To me, driving a Model A is adventurous, and when with good friends in other Model A's, it's a lot of fun.
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Old 04-14-2021, 08:58 AM   #17
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1973, San Diego to New Hampshire & back via Dearborn A meet, 9027 miles in 7 weeks pulling a trailer. Replaced valves @ Dearborn meet & water pump in N. Dakota.
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Old 04-14-2021, 09:56 AM   #18
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1982....Walla Walla, WA to Bakersfield, CA.

1984....Bakersfield, CA to Portland, Oregon and back.

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Old 04-14-2021, 11:45 AM   #19
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Default Re: Longest trip you took in a Model A

We really don't have that many roads in Alaska. However, we manage to take in about 1,000 miles or more on our longer tours around the state.
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Old 04-14-2021, 01:26 PM   #20
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Default Re: Longest trip you took in a Model A

My Dad was on the Yorktown, the one that is the museum.
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