I bought my first coupe today - in Brooklyn!

[cederholm]

Hi all,

Today is a great day! A few days back I posted a question for help for buying my first A. (original post here) And I got some great information. That post was suppose to prep me for a car on Long Island New York that I was planning on seeing tomorrow. It was a two hour drive to go see a non-running car. The price was good and the pics look clean. The car was said to be complete. While doing my research I though I should brows Craigslist one last time before my trip. There I see a car less than five miles from my house. Runs, drives, insured and registered and only $1,500 more than the other car.

Went to see it and the car is sooo clean. No rust, and after doing years of extensive rust repair on a couple English cars I know rust! Car starts right up and purrs like a kitty. I was even able to get it delivered (he drove it for me as I'll need some practice with that non-sync gearbox) and he came down on the asking price.

The only upgraded parts are modern tube shocks and a 6v alternator. That and he started to fit a turn signal kit.

Anyway, I'm extremely excited!

Sorry about the pics, as soon as we got it home is started to rain hence the close-up.

~ Carl

[1931 flamingo]

I just get a box w/an x. No pics.


Congratulations ! ! ! !


Paul in CT

[cederholm]

Not sure why the pic aren't posting. Ugh!!

[Cape Codder]

I guess I will have to start looking IN TOWN for my Cabriolet that I have been looking for!

[WHN]

I like the color. Looks great. Enjoy.

[wingski]

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Carl, congratulations. Just remember: clutch in and shift into a gear, clutch out and drive. Clutch in and shift out of gear into neutral. Clutch out, then clutch back in and shift into another gear. Always push that clutch in twice when shifting, thus the term “Double Clutch.” And take your time, your model A was made for a time when people took their time to do things.

Life is short so why rush through it. I double clutch everything now and let the rest of the world go rushing by. It sure puts a smile on my face.

I wish you all the best with your new, old car,

Mike

[Chuck Dempsey]

Best of Luck! Brooklyn - Dang, why didn't I look there?!?!

[Mike V. Florida]

Congrats

[burner31]

The wife and I say congratulations and enjoy

[michael a]

I'm happy for you

Sent from my SM-J700T using Tapatalk

[ronn]

See how easy that was?

[cederholm]

Thanks everyone, the bad news (for you) is now you're going to be hearing a lot of stupid questions from me.

And thanks Mike, this is next on my list - learn to drive it.
~ Carl

Originally Posted by wingski

Carl, congratulations. Just remember: clutch in and shift into a gear, clutch out and drive. Clutch in and shift out of gear into neutral. Clutch out, then clutch back in and shift into another gear. Always push that clutch in twice when shifting, thus the term “Double Clutch.” And take your time, your model A was made for a time when people took their time to do things.

Life is short so why rush through it. I double clutch everything now and let the rest of the world go rushing by. It sure puts a smile on my face.

I wish you all the best with your new, old car,

Mike

[eagle]

I find no need to double clutch on the way up. Shift early, (don't rev up much), shift slowly (shift into nuetral, wait a second, then into next gear) and make sure the idle is set for low rpm (hand throttle all the way up). On the way down, same thing, wait between gears. If you are in a hurry on the way down, then double clutch and "Blip" the throttle on the nuetral clutch release. Practise, practise, practise. Preferable on a road without traffic, if you can find it there!

[wingski]

Carl, find yourself a great big vacant parking lot like one at Walmart or any big store. Take your A out there and just drive it forward, backwards, but not upside-down. Drive it until you are tired of driving it then take a break and just walk around the car checking things out. Check for leaks. Kick all the tires. Do they all sound and feel the same? Feel the all the brakes. Be careful, don’t burn your hand. Are any of them hotter than the others. Just listen to your engine as it cools down. I don’t know why, but it’s kind of fun.

Get back in and drive it some more. Just think of all the people who are going to get a hoot out of watching you drive that old car around. Take a note pad and write down any questions that are asked by observers that you can’t answer. Get answers and be prepared for the next asker.

Part of the fun of owning a model A is sharing the car with others who don’t and never will have one. And the stories you are going to hear from others who have had A’s is something else.

You are so fortunate to have bought one. Now, the fun really begins, and remember if you have a question for us, Think it out and ask it. There is no such thing as a stupid question. You might say, “Holy crap, I knew that,” but at the time of the question you didn’t. So go for it.

Mike

[cederholm]

Sounds like great advice. What is the proper start up procedure? I flooded it today trying and only after that did I watch a you tube video on how to do it correctly.

YouTube said, timing all the way up, idle mid to low and a quick pull/release from the choke. What do you guys say?

...before I can shift it, I need to learn to start it.

~ Carl

[California Travieso]

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

I just get a box w/an x. No pics.


Congratulations ! ! ! !


Paul in CT

I'm with you Paul. All I see is boxes but no "x's". I have an iPad with 10.3.2 operating system. Same thing w/iPhone 11.2.5. Haven't tried the Desk-top.

David Serrano

[cederholm]

Wow, still? I thought I fixed that problem. Is anyone else having issues? I'll have to move the pics to another host. BLAST YOU GOOGLE!!

Originally Posted by California Travieso

I'm with you Paul. All I see is boxes but no "x's". I have an iPad with 10.3.2 operating system. Same thing w/iPhone 11.2.5. Haven't tried the Desk-top.

David Serrano

[eagle]

Starting procedure I use: Turn on gas, spark (left) lever all the way up, Right (throttle) lever few clicks from the top, GAV 3/4 turn open, Key on, Pull choke out and step on starter, after about 2 seconds of starter turning over release choke, should start right up. Only run the starter for about 5 - 7 seconds at a time, pause to let it cool between tries. If it doesn't start right up pull the choke again for a couple seconds. As soon as it starts pull spark lever down to about 9:00 position, when engine is warmed up a bit turn GAV in to about 1/4 turn and lift throttle lever for slow idle. When driving, listen to the engine. Learn what "Ping" is and don't ever let your engine do it. You want to keep about as much advance as you can (spark lever down) as long as you don't get ping. When pulling good, pull down spark until you hear ping then bring it back up until ping goes away. All cars are a bit different as far as spark rod position so learn your own. Shut down procedure: Turn off gas valve and let the engine run about a minute, lift spark lever all the way up and shut off the engine keyswitch. Disconnect master switch if you have one.

[Will Ziegler in LI NY]

The phaeton in my avatar also came from Brooklyn! Welcome to the Model A hobby.

[dingodog]

Sounds like you really lucked out there. Sometimes its all about timing and luck. Just out of curiosity, why was he selling the A?