Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-12-2021, 11:04 PM   #1
700rpm
Senior Member
 
700rpm's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 5,892
Default It’s getting harder to drive my A

Wife and I took a picnic drive to the country today, about 40 miles RT. In my younger days this would have presented no adverse effects. Now, however, as I approach 76, those forty miles were seriously uncomfortable. We came home pooped! It gave credence to the old joke that the passengers in a Model A are the shock absorbers! I’ve got almost new Stipe shocks on the coupe, but Portland’s streets and byways are so neglected that driving them in a Model A is like riding in an out of balance washing machine. A Harley would be more comfortable!

I used to think nothing of a 120 mile tour, but now? Those days are over. This old age business ain’t for sissies! “Shake, rattle, and roll” doesn’t mean what it used to.
__________________
Ray Horton, Portland, OR


As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.
700rpm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2021, 12:33 AM   #2
Harpkatt
Senior Member
 
Harpkatt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Long Island
Posts: 171
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Ive get a well kept coupe and often drive an RPU. the pickup has seized shocks and the shock links are no longer connected. The RPU is amazingly comfortable ride wise, the tubs a little small for me though.
Harpkatt is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 03-13-2021, 12:47 AM   #3
TerryH
Senior Member
 
TerryH's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fountain Valley, Calif.
Posts: 937
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Ray, I sympathize with you. I just turned 76, and have arthritis in my hips and lower back, and just getting in my Town Sedan is an effort, but I still take it out for short drives 3-4 times a week. But I haven’t driven on a longer trip in quite awhile now.
TerryH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2021, 12:59 AM   #4
Steve Plucker
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Walla Walla, Washington USA
Posts: 6,066
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Ray,

I feel your pain except it is in my hands for now just holding on to the steering wheel.

But I really hate to say this...But there is going to come a time...Need I say more?

Pluck
Steve Plucker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2021, 05:29 AM   #5
ronn
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ
Posts: 6,758
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

well said Ray. I am only 60 and roofed 2 1/2 square of shingle on Thursday.


could hardly move yesterday. I used to put on 15 sq in a day. sucks.........
ronn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2021, 08:00 AM   #6
old31
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,088
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
I must have Rays and Plucks DNA in me. Because I have and know exactly what you mean and what you are talking about.

At least we are still doing what we love, pain or not. In about 30 minutes I am going out to mount 4 new radial tires. Then I will come in and bitch to my wife how much my hands and back hurt. The following day, I will be back at it.
old31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2021, 08:07 AM   #7
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

" This old age business ain’t for sissies! "

Boy, thats the truth.

At least with the top down its a lot easier to get in and out of today.
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2021, 08:13 AM   #8
Bob-A
Senior Member
 
Bob-A's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Central FL, USA
Posts: 1,136
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

I'm still able to drive my "A", but have a less and less desire to. The main road (Highway 50) here is being widened and is one big mess! Plus, the last half a dozen times I've taken the roadster out for a cruise around the neighborhood. It has quit on me for some obscure electrical problem or another. I have been able to limp home and I think I know what the problem is and maybe corrected it. But, with the crappy roads and lousy drivers I just do not have the desire to go out anymore. I'll be 70 next month and I have been toying with the idea of selling my last old car.


Bob-A
Bob-A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2021, 08:32 AM   #9
Gene F
Senior Member
 
Gene F's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,915
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Bob, I'm sure that will be heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with you.
GENE
Gene F is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2021, 09:43 AM   #10
JBill
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 702
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

I'm just about to turn 80, and am reluctant to drive my A any more because I'm no longer confident that if something went wrong on the road I'd be able to repair it.
JBill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2021, 09:50 AM   #11
nhusa
Senior Member
 
nhusa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 549
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

At 76 I can still fit under the Model T without using Jack stands but can only squeeze under the A behind the front wheel.

I have warned my wife that if I don’t come in the house for lunch or 4PM wine I am most likely stuck under the car and need help. OR I might have gotten comfortable and be taking a nap.
nhusa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2021, 10:19 AM   #12
kawagumby
Senior Member
 
kawagumby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Hollister, CA
Posts: 133
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Well, I'm a late 73 and my passion is riding dirt bikes...I crashed my brains out a couple of weeks ago and can barely get around. Add to that some horrible prescription drugs (statin and blood thinner) that made my hands barely usable...my right thumb still can't bend even after I dropped the drugs four months ago. Modern medicine has been a joke to me - always seems to do more harm than good. My Model A has kept me busy throughout this covid mess, and will no doubt help replace dirt biking as a primary interest soon, I'm thinking about a hot rod too. Dirt biking was great because it forces one to stay in shape and will keep you limber, but man, hitting that dirt seems to be getting much more painful than it used to be. Just gotta keep moving...


I'm gonna miss these guys!


bikes.JPG
kawagumby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2021, 10:29 AM   #13
Bob Bidonde
Senior Member
 
Bob Bidonde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 3,430
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Don't let the old man in!
__________________
Bob Bidonde
Bob Bidonde is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2021, 11:10 AM   #14
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,004
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Old age ain't what is used to be. Who said that!
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2021, 11:27 AM   #15
vangogh
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Prescott Valley AZ
Posts: 47
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Old age isn't for sissies but who said you can't feel it. My "Vicky" keeps me young at 75. Yet harder to drive it here on the island with all the traffic.
vangogh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2021, 11:46 AM   #16
Y-Blockhead
Senior Member
 
Y-Blockhead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Posts: 5,817
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob-A View Post
...with the crappy roads and lousy drivers I just do not have the desire to go out anymore. I'll be 70 next month and I have been toying with the idea of selling my last old car.

Bob-A
Besides being older, one thing that really wears me out on a longer ride is having to constantly be in the defensive driving mode. People running stops, speeding, cutting off, being inconsiderate of other drivers, etc.

People don't seem to even know what the limit line is. Scare the hell out of me when someone coasts right thru a stop sign , then stops. I can't tell if they are going to stop or not.

I used to ride motorcycles and quit because of the same reasons
Y-Blockhead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2021, 12:24 PM   #17
JayJay
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,043
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

I can empathize with all of you. I'm not quite yet 70 yo (holding that milestone at bay as long as I can!) and have had touring motorcycles off and on for over 40 years. I love getting out and riding, but I'm at the point I'm about ready to sell my last remaining one (a big BMW). Reason - I think that a rider should be able to pick up his bike if it tips over onto the side, like when mounting onto the center stand. I can now just barely do it, when before it used to be a non-issue. Besides, I'm not sure my reactions are quite what they used to be, and certainly riding a road bike requires quick reactions, especially with all the cell-phone using morons here in the SF Bay Area. (And, my daughter won't let the grandkids ride with me.) I may have one last road trip ahead of me this summer when I retire, then goodby to that part of my life and concentrate on driving the As. With the grandkids.

JayJay
__________________
JayJay
San Francisco Bay Area

------------------------
1930 Murray Town Sedan
1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan
JayJay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2021, 12:27 PM   #18
kawagumby
Senior Member
 
kawagumby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Hollister, CA
Posts: 133
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde View Post
Don't let the old man in!



YES!


This is my new mantra.
kawagumby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2021, 12:30 PM   #19
Mister Moose
Senior Member
 
Mister Moose's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Hartford area, CT
Posts: 374
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

I'm not that creaky yet, but I can tell you it's hard to drive for more than an hour in my Tudor. Something about the springs and positioning I just get achy/crampy from pressure or reduced blood flow or something. (6-2, original seat springs, seat set back 3 inches on custom mounts)
Mister Moose is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2021, 12:34 PM   #20
Jim Brierley
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,066
Default Re: It’s getting harder to drive my A

Wait until you get my age, 83.9!
Jim Brierley is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:02 AM.