Model A's in the Mountains

[ecobbs01]

Howdy everyone,

. I'm thinking about getting a Ford Model A one of these days, and I was wondering, with all the steep hills and whatnot around us here in the Ozark mountains, how steep an incline a stock model A could handle. And whether or not they could handle steep inclines that are unpaved. Thanks for any input y'all can give me, it is greatly appreciated! Godspeed.

[SteveB31]

Out here in Colorado , where are mountains are 14,000 feet, and our mountain passes are 11,000 plus feet, we drive the Model A's all the time. You will not have any problems in your little mountains. These cars are made for them. Geared low and lots of torque.

Steve Becker
Berts Model A Center

[Fred K-OR]

I think Model A's in the days they were used for everyday use (1930's) they handled these kinds of roads and ones much more of a challenge, very well. But now days you need to be concerned about modern drivers and freeways that may be the challenge.

[ecobbs01]

thanks for the input! It'll for sure come in handy.

[Gyrodoc]

I used to have a house in Forsyth, Mo. Model A can handle those hills just fine.

[glenn in camino]

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Get an overdrive so you will have 2n gear over.

[vern hodgson]

Originally Posted by ecobbs01

Howdy everyone,

. I'm thinking about getting a Ford Model A one of these days, and I was wondering, with all the steep hills and whatnot around us here in the Ozark mountains, how steep an incline a stock model A could handle. And whether or not they could handle steep inclines that are unpaved. Thanks for any input y'all can give me, it is greatly appreciated! Godspeed.

I attended an off road jeep rally
With my Tudor, I could go almost any where the jeeps could go except for super steep, rooted and rocky cat tracks.

[whirnot]

And adding to what Steve said, we recently took 15 model A's on tour, climbing 7 to 10 % grades. Not a problem in the group.

[pat in Santa Cruz]

I live in the mountains, although nothing like the Rockys. An overdrive will give you the gear you need between 2nd and high. I use it all the time.

[montanafordman]

I've driven mine on some fairly steep grades, and like many have said hills are no problem, speed and traffic are the issues because you cant pull a steeper grade in 3rd without lugging it, and 2nd is pretty low so your RPMs are screaming if you want to keep up - this is where an overdrive really shines being able to split the gap between 2nd and 3rd. I almost equate this as much as an asset as being able to go a few mph's faster in 3rd on more level ground.

[Gold Digger]

I live in northern Arkansas and never have had any problems.

[Jacksonlll]

Hope you do get an A. You will have a ton of fun with it. There is nothing like an A.

[mshmodela]

Go for it as soon as you can, Model A's are great.

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by ecobbs01

thanks for the input! It'll for sure come in handy.

Originally Posted by SteveB31

Out here in Colorado , where are mountains are 14,000 feet, and our mountain passes are 11,000 plus feet, we drive the Model A's all the time. You will not have any problems in your little mountains. These cars are made for them. Geared low and lots of torque.

Steve Becker
Berts Model A Center

Mountains to some are hills to others ( lol ) ! Wayne

[Cracker39]

Climbing hills wouldn't concern me, but having experienced brake fade with drum brakes certainly does. This was a special problem with the earlier automatic transmissions when pulling a trailer. How does a Model A do coming downhill in third gear? What speed will it hold? Do you frequently use second on long grades - or never? There are drives I'd like to make if I was a bit more comfortable with the "downhill" part.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Cracker39

Climbing hills wouldn't concern me, but having experienced brake fade with drum brakes certainly does. This was a special problem with the earlier automatic transmissions when pulling a trailer. How does a Model A do coming downhill in third gear? What speed will it hold? Do you frequently use second on long grades - or never? There are drives I'd like to make if I was a bit more comfortable with the "downhill" part.

I know the feeling. I was driving someone's Model A in St. Paul and when decending a steep hill the brake fade was so bad the pedal went to the floor and I had to glide through a red light at the bottom of the hill. Sure glad no one was coming.

You can hold your own in second gear, but there will be modern drivers ready to run you over.

[larrys40]

Originally Posted by SteveB31

Out here in Colorado , where are mountains are 14,000 feet, and our mountain passes are 11,000 plus feet, we drive the Model A's all the time. You will not have any problems in your little mountains. These cars are made for them. Geared low and lots of torque.

Steve Becker
Berts Model A Center

Well said Steve . I live here in Missouri but have traveled in my Tudor out to the high country tours since the 80's , and have had extended tours out there following, touring over cottonwood, Cumberland, over to tincup, pitkin, tr San Juan range over to ouray, etc and many other mountain passes out there, some if them hard gravel with snow still present in June .
A well restored prepped Model A in good shape shouldn't have any problems . I have also driven it up Pikes Peak and when the use the infrared on the way down to check your brakes mine weren't even warm. Use your gears properly both up and down grades and it will do fine

Ozark mountains really aren't much for an A .
Larry Shepard

[CarlG]

My dad taught me that "if you use second gear going up the mountain, you need to use second gear going down the mountain."

Even here in Alaska, I rarely have to downshift (except to take it out of overdrive)

[Cracker39]

Originally Posted by larrys40

Well said Steve . I live here in Missouri but have traveled in my Tudor out to the high country tours since the 80's , and have had extended tours out there following, touring over cottonwood, Cumberland, over to tincup, pitkin, tr San Juan range over to ouray, etc and many other mountain passes out there, some if them hard gravel with snow still present in June .
A well restored prepped Model A in good shape shouldn't have any problems . I have also driven it up Pikes Peak and when the use the infrared on the way down to check your brakes mine weren't even warm. Use your gears properly both up and down grades and it will do fine

Ozark mountains really aren't much for an A .
Larry Shepard

Being familiar with Pike's Peak, as many of us are, did you use second all the way down, and how often did you have to brake?

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Oatman, Arizona, on OLD Highway 66, in Western Arizona, is at the crest of the Black Mountains. STEEP, CONSTANT switchbacks! You're in SECOND gear, each time you come to a sharp switchback, it's back to LOW gear, then back to SECOND gear!! Downgrade is ALL SECOND gear, with your hand on the shifter, to prevent a possible JUMP OUT!!
Google, Oatman, Arizona, TRICK place, lots of movies shot there & Donkeys roam the street.
Bill W.