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Drove a '29 Model A Roadster today
What a hoot. I snuck out of the dealership early and took up an invitation with a friend to play around with horses and old cars. My 18 month old loves ponies, but had never seen one in the flesh. During her first ride on a little pony named Sugar, one of the large horses had pushed the gate open and took off out of the driveway and down the road. We were alerted to it by all the other horses calling out to cheer him on, or alert us to what was happening.
Once we had him wrangled up, we got out the 29 model A roadster. It is a nice older restoration, had been sitting for months, but still fired by the second or third crank. Really easy and fun to drive. The leaf springs ride good on the dirt roads (as intended). I was expecting a rough ride but the very cushy seats and suspension made it comfortable. Unlike the other pre-war cars I've owned/driven, you don't have to think much about planning your braking and turning. The car was light enough that steering and stopping wasn't much effort. I can see why they are so popular to collect. Just cheap, simple, good looking and fun. Reminded me of a W123 240D.
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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k 1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k 1980 240D Stick China 188k 2001 CLK55 AMG 101k 2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!! |
#2
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Great ride. I envy you.
Did you hand crank it, or use the innovative electric start? How long did it take you to get used to hand control of the spark advance? Lots of people criticize the mechanical brakes, but, as you pointed out, the cars are light. How did you find them in use?
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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags |
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X2 to above, id also like to hear how difficult it was to get used to the unsynchronized 3 speed gearbox.
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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr. |
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Electric Start. She worked the steering wheel controls for me on the cold start, but seemed pretty simple.
Brakes really didn't feel lacking. Unlike my old '41 Buick and '48 Chrysler which left me edgy in normal traffic. Also the Model A can turn on a dime, unlike those heavy old boats Until you get to know the car, you have to double clutch the gear box. Just to the end of my drive I was getting familiar enough to know when and where without double clutching. Just 3 forward gears. First is bottom left, second is the tricky one.
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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k 1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k 1980 240D Stick China 188k 2001 CLK55 AMG 101k 2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!! |
#5
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Pretty sure I'd ride that car before that pony. I had one like that as a kid that was the meanest, grouchiest most bad tempered bite you when you're not looking horse I have ever had the displeasure of owning.
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You're a daisy if you do. __________________________________ 84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold 04 Honda Element AWD 1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler 1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting |
#6
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Quote:
That must have been a blast Tyler, always wondered what actually driving something like that would be like, especially considering things like manual spark advance and stuff. For an older restoration the car looks to be in excellent condition.
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TC Current stable: - 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL - 2007 Saturn sky redline - 2004 Explorer...under surgery. Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth |
#7
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A model a would be fun to piddle around town in. Pretty cars.
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
#8
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A lot of them stayed on the road for a long time. Plenty still available in the late forties and early fifties up here in Canada.
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#9
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Looks and sounds like the ideal solution to many a modern motoring dilemma.
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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver 1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone 1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy! 1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits! |
#10
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I have been for a ride in a Model A sedan, not a roadster. And one of the teachers in our district has a roadster that she has actually used as a daily driver from time to time. She lives only a few miles from her work and is able to take the surface streets.
- Peter.
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2021 Chevrolet Spark Formerly... 2000 GMC Sonoma 1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021 2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels 1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles. 1984 123 200 1979 116 280S 1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 1971 108 280S |
#11
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Quote:
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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags |
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