Update on a former forum participant, and why he's former

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: Update on a former forum participant, and why he's former
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 11:14 am:

One of the folks I often hear from via Facebook is a high school student who used to participate here when he was in middle school. Being accused of not really existing, being a middle-aged troll, plotting to make fools of us all, etc., he moved on. He's now concentrating on trying to raise money making websites so he can buy a Model A. He's still got a bad taste from his forum experiences. I counsel him to pay attention to the positive folks and not take the bait put out by the ones who want to get down in the mud and rassle. This morning I reminded him of some of the folks here who were and are always positive and helpful. When the subject turns to the USA is going down the drain because of (insert villain of your choice here) or I don't know what's wrong with these kids today, some names are wisely absent. You know who you are. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Woods, Richmond, Texas on Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 12:10 pm:

Steve, although there is probably too much OT posting on sensitive topics on this Forum, some people are just too 'thin skinned'. While I don't condone personal attacks, if they were here about the hobby, and worried less about OT (especially political) postings, they'd still be with us, and I'll stake a 37% approval rating on that!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 02:20 pm:

You get more than 37% agreement from me, Terry. When I talk to these folks who don't participate for fear of being attacked, I tell them if it's not blatantly and obviously directed at you, don't take it personally. If it is, don't take it seriously. Attacks tell more about the attacker than they do about the target.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john kuehn on Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 02:36 pm:

I learned back in school that there will always be people who are more blunt than others. Then there are those who are overly sensitive (thin skinned).

I do have to agree that there is entirely to much of the dreaded OT postings.
I do wish there were more ON TOPIC postings.

If I quit every job I had in life for having to deal with the people I had to work with I would have never lasted at any of them.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Warren W. Mortensen on Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 02:50 pm:

I'm with you guys. Seems to me that the kid was just a bit too tech savvy for some folks. Even if he tried reinventing the wheel a few times, what was the big deal? At his age he's supposed to be learning and his talents will serve him well in the future. Makes me wonder if some of his critics ever had kids of their own. I know I've had to let my two learn the hard way on numerous occasions when the Old Man didn't (in their minds) have a lick of wisdom on a given subject. Also, at times you have to encourage them to try an idea just to gain some personal insight on their own. My opinion is that this individual was treated cruelly. If he wants to "friend" another old coot on Facebook, give him my name. I've got a high pain threshold when it comes to teenagers. <grin>


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 02:55 pm:

It is good to hear that he is doing okay. I wish him well.
I usually like the OT posts, threads and comments. It makes this more like talking to close friends and neighbors. But I do not like it when they get too personal. He was treated badly here.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Burger in Spokane on Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 04:21 pm:

Oh great, ... now you guys aren't going to let me post about my hurt feelings ???


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Woods, Richmond, Texas on Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 05:05 pm:

Burger, Pour your heart out. Tell us all about your hurt feelings and what depresses you. We're your therapist and we're here to help you. Just remember to mark your comments "OT". (ha)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Burger in Spokane on Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 06:26 pm:

I lost my hurt feeling when the Gunny rolled me back on my heels, told me what a worthless maggot I was and gave me extra duty for being such a low form of scum.

Once one learns that "maggot" is a term of endearment, not much gets under your skin. I think it would serve many of our society these days to spend a little time with the USMC. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Constantine on Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 07:08 pm:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Woods, Richmond, Texas on Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 07:15 pm:

Go, Gunny! He's the Man.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Burger in Spokane on Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 07:39 pm:

I see you guys have met my Dad. :-)

Gunny Ermey, he's my man !

"What is your malfunction, you useless piece of dung ? I've cleaned better men off the bottom of my boot !

Now drop and give me 20 before I unscrew your head and sh!t down your neck, you worthless maggot ! Do
you read me, Private sh!tstain ? DO YOU READ ME ? .... I can't hear you !"

:-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Dimock, Newfields NH, USA on Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 08:55 pm:

OK I'll admit it! I was a DI at fort Lost in the Woods and was trained at fort Puke in Lousy Anna.
My job was to help make men out of boys so they had a chance to survive when they went to Viet Nam.
More than that we trained people to protect their buddy and themselves.

There was no room for someone that only thought of themselves or was a namby panby momma's boy.
We had to break them down and rebuild them.

I have a big problem with people that don't get it, but have decided that I can't fix everything and remember what my mom used to say - "People just don't know what they don't know!"

A day doesn't go by where I don't think about the guys I was responsible to train and hope they survived.

I am also haunted by the knowledge that my college buddy Eugene Daily lost his life in Viet Nam and I may have trained some of the guys in his platoon. I wish I was there to protect him and want to protect my granddaughters from this horrible world.

All I can do is pray for their safety!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Willie K Cordes on Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 10:16 pm:

I am glad that some of you thought that kid was great. I was glad when he was banned from the forum. You have to act less crazy to be accepted by most folks. With some help from a head shrink, there might have been hope for him.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Clipner-Los Angeles on Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 11:57 pm:

I like the Gunny !!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 12:06 am:

He always seemed like a poser to me in the ads. Never watched the show.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Burger in Spokane on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 12:58 am:

From Wikipedia: "Ronald Lee Ermey (born March 24, 1944) is an American actor, best known for his role as the austere Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket, which earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He is a retired United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant and an honorary Gunnery Sergeant; during his tenure in the U.S. Marine Corps, he served as a drill instructor."

He was originally hired to provide guidance to the actor hired to play the part of Gunny Hartman, however his performance was so good that he was given the part. Much of his dialogue was ad-libbed by Ermey on the spot.

=======================================================

Fred,

We are all faced with choices. Some choose Duty and Honor, others, not so much.

You do what you are trained to do and do it with conviction, you did the best you can do. That is what honor is all about.

The rest is out of your hands. No sense in being haunted by doing your best. The alternative is ???


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Constantine on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 04:11 am:

Great clip of honorary Gunnery Sergeant Ronald Lee Ermey as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in the film "Full Metal Jacket":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTQAXX08A-s


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed in California on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 09:34 am:

Actually, he was first cast as a drill instructor in "The boys from company C" I believe while he was still an active Marine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDSv6VWB6VE


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry VanOoteghem on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 09:35 am:

Steve,

Thanks for the update. I'm glad he still has a taste for old cars. I doubt he'll remember me but please tell him Jerry Van wishes him well and hopes he'll get his Model A sometime soon.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Woods, Richmond, Texas on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 09:42 am:

George, How come Lee Ermy looks so much slimmer and trimmer than you? Maybe he doesn't eat as much barbeque.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Burger in Spokane on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 11:24 am:

Back on topic, ....

I am too new here to know what Steve was referring to. My guess, a young guy who got his knickers in a knot when other posters gave him
a shoutdown over comments he made and he retorted with some over-the-top vitriol ?

If I am reading that right, seems we have two options:

1. recognize some positive potential and mentor the guy into a more productive "place" (sounds like what Steve is doing), or

2. strike back with overwhelming force and walk away.

---------------------------------------------------

I have done my fair share of mentoring for my other hobby interests. It is fun to help others reach a higher potential, but one often runs into
other mentor-capable people in doing so that resent the "bother" of the young whippersnapper not falling in line.
On the flip side, some noobies are just trolls, who seem to get all their jollies stirring the sh!t pot. I guess knowing how to tell the difference
is a critical skill in making this work. I will again thank the Gunny for putting THAT boot up my ass and bringing clarity for me on that subject. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 12:19 pm:

My recollection is that he was banned when he threatened to hack the site.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Spaziano, Bellflower, CA. on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 01:55 pm:

According to the Webmaster, Chris, no one has ever been "banned" from this site.

When threads become too far off topic or downright ugly, he removes the thread. That's it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By G.R.Cheshire on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 02:02 pm:

As grandma said "Sticks and stones will break my bones,but words will never hurt me!"


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 02:22 pm:

There are different kinds of hurt. Grandma never read David Mamet's little story: http://cinnabitch.blogspot.com/2006/09/soul-murder-by-david-mamet.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 02:53 pm:

I didn't post on any of his threads, but I seem to remember him using this Forum to recruit members to his own Model T forum.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By HARRY A DAW on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 03:22 pm:

I believe Dick Lodge from St. Louis trailered one of his Model T's to Boonville, Mo., and met and talked to this subject and spent time with him. I tried to talk him into coming to the Old Threshers at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa to no avail. Efforts were made to help the boy but did not work.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By HARRY A DAW on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 03:25 pm:

Given when that happened, he should be in his early 20's now.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Lodge - St Louis MO on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 04:14 pm:

Harry, I didn't take my T, but I drove to Columbia and met him at Kent Gilbane's, where he and his dad got a ride in Kent's '11 Touring and a tour of Kent's shop and cars. He found the forum when he was a young teenager, as I recall, and began interacting with people here the way he was accustomed to interacting with his contemporaries on electronic forums. The furor here amazed me at the time and continues to. Wild speculation about who he "really" was got increasingly strange. (It's possible that "a Martian planning to conquer Earth" was about the only possibility that wasn't raised.... :-) ) In any case, his decision to stop participating in this forum made sense. Not a very welcoming atmosphere...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Garrett F. on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 04:42 pm:

I guess now may be the time to respond and actually post a response. Yes, I am the person Steve is talking about. I try to talk to Steve whenever I can get a chance to.

Dick Lodge came to Columbia where Kent Gilbane (a friend of his) had a 1911 Model T he gave me and my dad a ride in. I have photos to prove it:

Model T
Model T II
Model T III

I am currently a website designer (a sophomore in high school) and am saving up the money to purchase a Ford Model A as my first car.}

Being the (somewhat) smarter person I am today, I can say that I did induce some of the problems I had on this forums a couple years ago, but it is all water under the bridge now.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Garnet on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 04:52 pm:

Hopefully you have a lifetime enjoying old cars Garrett and get to pass on your knowledge to some youngster someday. It sure is a great way to relax and unwind after a crappy day at the office !!

Regards,
Garnet


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Garrett F. on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 05:03 pm:

Dear Garnet,

Thank You for your kind words. I really love being in the Model A hobby, I'm in the MAFCA but not in any local chapters. As I (and Steve) mentioned, my plan is to raise enough money by the time I turn 16 (in June 2015) to buy a Ford Model A, preferably a Tudor Sedan, so that I can use a Model A as a daily driver.

I like website design (and have spent the past eight months forming a website design business, Garrett's Websites) but sometimes it can become hectic.

The day Kent gave us a ride in the Model T (May 5, 2012) we only got to ride in the 1911 Model T Touring. We tried to start the Coupe shown above, but it wouldn't start. He also had other cars, such as a Center-door Sedan and I also think he may have had a runabout.
Model T Touring
Model T CenterDoor

Sincerely,
Garrett Fuller


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 07:12 pm:

I wish you peace, prosperity, and a long life!
And if antique automobiles can be a part of that? So much the better!
Drive carefully, and enjoy! W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Wrenn on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 07:32 pm:

Garrett-ironically I got my start with Model T's by starting in a Model A also! Perhaps you will do the same. The Model A was surely a fun, easy car to start out in, but for sure the T has it's own spot in the world of antique cars. I have to say, the T is out on the road more than the A. Something uniquely cool about them that one really can't quite describe. Good luck in your endeavors. Here's a pic of my Model A tudor. A pretty little car too if I do say so myself!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Justin Heim on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 08:24 pm:

Good luck with the A-bone Garrett. A word of advice, learn how to adjust the brakes. I didn't and almost put my '28 Leatherback into a ditch when I was in my early 20's. I've gotten wiser and upgraded to a T without those pesky things!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Strange on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 08:49 pm:

Here's a good video on adjusting Model A Ford brakes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMizfaKHXVQ


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 11:07 pm:

Happy you "recuperated" Garrett....... :-)
I'm glad you popped in to reintroduce yourself.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jay - In Northern California on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 11:24 pm:

Cool Beans Garrett! Good luck with your Website deign venture.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael sharkey on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 11:25 pm:

Hey Garret, I'm 16 myself and I have had some difficult times with another club that I was a member of. One of the first people who I met in that club was a older gentleman
who was very knowledgeable. I thought of him as a friend. He had talked about me behind my back and told me about fake accusations against me, all of which were extremely untrue. But I didn't find out that they were untrue until I had someone else bring to my attention that this same gentleman had done it to them. When I confronted my "friend" in a group of his piers. I then realized how many people supported me. The moral of the story is, you will always hear the bad side of things but when push comes to shove people will always stick up for what is right.
I have moved on from that other club and I'm now here. I'm the proud owner of a 1924 depot hack and have more people that support me both here and in my local chapter. Good luck with the model A and don't let mean people get you down.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael sharkey on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 11:32 pm:

Sorry "peers" not piers. I hate auto correct.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 11:34 pm:

Michael, good advice. You young guys hang in there, your the future.....
Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen on Monday, September 15, 2014 - 11:38 pm:

I hate auto correct too. You're the future, not "your" the future....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker in Sumter SC on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - 06:12 am:

Garrett,

I’m glad things are going well for you. For a daily driver, my experience has been that the closed cars work better than the open car as you can lock the door and they leak less (actually they can be very dry – but I never quite got all the weather stripping in all the correct places on the first one). And I have successfully used several different Model As as daily drivers several different times for several different years. For two years in Germany it was the only car we had. Like Model Ts there are accessories you can purchase to make them have a little or a lot more power and speed. But I really like the slightly higher compression head [Brumfield etc] as it allows me to go up many more grades/hills in high gear rather than having to down shift to second gear as I used to have to do. If you live in a flat area that doesn’t matter much, but second gear in the truck lane really makes the trip longer…] And if you need to take lots of long trips -- they are not the easiest ride -- but they can still get you there.

Keep up your studies as it usually opens doors for better job opportunities in the future. And computer related skills appear to be marketable for the foreseeable future.

Best of luck to you.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By JohnCodman on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - 09:35 am:

I love almost all old cars, but I do question the wisdom of using an A as a daily driver. They were not designed to operate on high-speed roads and are about as crashworthy as a sheet of Aluminum foil. They were not designed with any thought about what it's like to go flying around inside one after a crash, and they were not designed with any proper seat belt anchors. Our exposure to accidents is limited in a T because most of us would never take one on a major highway, and we don't drive them all that much.
I had a four and a half mile commute on back roads, so perhaps an A would have been OK for me, but for overall use, I love my modern station wagon.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Strange on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - 09:39 am:

Here's a guy who used a Model A as his daily driver for a year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eHKcQw0bO0


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kenneth W DeLong on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - 09:55 am:

People can and usually do anything smart or dumb they want.In central Mi with Ice,Snow,Freezing Rain,and normal rain i think it would be very dumb to expose a old car every day!!!!! If you live where your weather is good great but do not put off your maintance because the car must go every day.I think the start of this thread should be over and we should stop pulling out our chest hairs or feathers because we can't convert everyone on earth to be a model T person!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bud.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Burger in Spokane on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - 11:27 am:

I had a gay friend in college who suggested I try men when I was whining about bad girlfriends or other similar drama.
I'd just as soon date men as I would drive a modern station wagon. I suspect there are others that feel the same way.

If the guy wants to use an A as a daily driver, I am all for it. One less ugly-ass modern car to look at on the road. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Woods, Richmond, Texas on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - 11:50 am:

I love my T's, but having had a 32 tudor, a 34 five window coupe, two 34 fordor sedans, and a 36 open cab Howe fire truck, I wouldn't call any Fords ugly, at least until the 49 models came out. Of course, the 55, 56, and 57 models were cool, too, but then we're really getting modern. Other modern Fords that I like, or have had, were the 61 Starliner, 63 Galaxie 500 convertible, 64 Fairlane two door sedans (in this case, a Thunderbolt), and a 66 Fairlane tudor hardtop.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Dimock, Newfields NH, USA on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - 01:15 pm:

50 years ago a 1931 Model A Town Sedan was my dad's goto work car and I used it when my goto school car was broken.

I now have the 31 in the garage but it will not be a goto work car because work is 50 miles away on highways that require traveling at 70 mph.

But it will be a goto get ice cream coffee etc. when I have time to get it running.

I'll do my part in beautifying America!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker in Sumter SC on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - 04:47 pm:

Actually I believe it is more a matter of choice/priorities. For example a young single male who had his private pilot's license wanted an apartment, wanted a light airplane, and wanted a hanger for the airplane. His budget could not afford all those. He picked the 2 out 3 that best fulfilled his desires. He purchased the airplane, rented the hanger, and could often be seen on warm days out at the aircraft wash rack in his swimming trunks taking a bath. Some folks would say that was foolish but he enjoyed it. And note that he was single.

Some people love sailing but cannot afford the sailboat and the house. They may elect to purchase the sailboat and live on it. It makes sense to them.

When I was younger I drove my Model A as a daily driver every day. It has seat belts, turn signals, and extra outside mirrors. In general I stayed off the interstates although it would comfortable cruise 45 mph which was the minimum speed in the locations I lived. My previous comment about the higher compression head is the result of driving my Model A from Sacramento CA to LA to visit my Grandmother and then on to Phoenix AZ. I was in the slowest lane in second gear with the trucks going over the passes. I did manage to pass one or two trucks but they were really slow. If there had been a gear between 2nd and 3rd I believe the stock engine could have pulled it. That was with a rebuilt stock type engine configuration. In the early 1980s I had an MGB and Bessie my 1931 Model A Ford. The MGB went through 2 generators and a starter or something like that in a year's time. It also leaked even with a new top. I sold the MGB and drove the Ford, because the Ford was more reliable. We drove away from our wedding in Bessie but we did borrow a car to take the honeymoon trip. Below is a photo of Bessie when we later were stationed in Germany and we needed a sedan as we had two kids -- it was the only car we had for the first 2 years there.



When I moved to Iceland for a year I was not going to take my 1931 Model A Sedan that had lived all its life in California as I was more concerned about rust back then. But when I priced the smaller Ford Ranger and Chevy S-10 pickups -- they cost more than the 1930 Model A Ford pickup that had several poorly repaired rusted out areas. I had a choice and a very understanding wife who has put up with me all these years. We purchased Faithful Fred a 1930 Model A Ford pickup and we had great time in Iceland. The only time the truck got stuck was once, when I had just taken the rear chains off but I forgot that I had taken them off. I went around the corner too fast on the snow covered road and went slowly into the ditch. Below is a photo of Faithful Fred in Iceland:



Some folks would say I made a poor choice. I would say, I made the choice that made me happiest and I did not break any laws or Fords in the process. And if I had it to do all over again, I would have purchased another Model A Sedan instead of the pickup truck. Faithful Fred was sold when the kids came along as there was not room for two adults and a car seat in the cab.

There are some excellent articles about how to install seat belts in Model A Fords. While they were not originally designed for them, they can be adapted quite easily. Is it as safe as a modern car with air bags etc. -- no -- but it is/was a lot more fun for me to drive than a modern car. And my current daily driver is a VW bug. It is not up there with today's safety standards either. I look at anything larger than a Mini and know if it hits me going fast -- I'm toast. And I drive defensively.

So I don’t think it is so much a matter of right or wrong but more a matter of preference. Slow and no air conditioning vs faster, safer, and all the comforts of the modern car. You chose which you prefer (and of course some folks have added air conditioning to their old Ford).

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dane Hawley Near Melbourne Australia on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 - 07:08 am:

Good to hear that Garrett is doing well. Like several others on the Forum, I continued contact with him for a while, then we gradually lost contact.

I ran Model A's from 1964 until 1990 and used them as daily drivers. I agree that 70 mph highways are to be avoided, but my stock-engined Tudor was quite happy at 60 mph. In 1975 with wife, two small children and a trailer behind we completed a 5,500 mile trip to Perth and back, and the following year went to Cairns and back- a similar distance. We had restored the car in 1972 so it was in good shape for those trips, and proved to be absolutely reliable.
I agree with Hap about second gear being too slow for hills, but apart from that, a fantastic car to use, able to handle modern traffic if driven properly, and provided it is maintained correctly the A is as reliable a car as one could wish for.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Clayton Swanson on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 - 10:40 pm:

i said it then, and i'll say it again now, i hope he's just a kid who likes old cars like i did when i was his age. turns out, he's just a nice kid that likes old cars. best wishes Garrett


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Thursday, September 18, 2014 - 12:31 am:

A Model A with a manifold heater on it isn't half bad in colder weather.
As for a daily driver in a city.......why not if the roads aren't slippery?
Of course if they salt the roads down there like they do here I wouldn't recommend it........plus adjusting the brakes takes an act of Congress so it doesn't pull every which way......ARGH.......


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Garrett F. on Thursday, September 18, 2014 - 04:31 pm:

Craig,

I'm not trying to turn this into a Model A topic, but yes they do apply salt on the roads here in the winter. But I plan on washing the car (or more like scrubbing) the undercarriage every other night in the winter.

But salt is something that affects any car, not just a Model A.

Sincerely,
Garrett Fuller


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric Sole - Castelldefels (Spain) on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 10:47 am:

Garrett, I'm glad you're still interested in old cars.

I bought my first car when I was 17 (1977) and living in Kansas City. It was a 1940 Ford fordor and it was my every day driver until I went away to college in Pittsburg, Kansas to study automotive engineering. It had a beautiful black paint job and I restored things as I went along. In the winter I put chains on the back wheels and just drove all over the salted down roads with nary a care. One of the fun things about being young!

When I got married the '40 Ford went to a new owner in California and the '27 Model T runabout took its place in my garage.

In my dream life I would be living in a place where I could drive a Model T everyday. Where I live now most people just want to get where they're going and would run over anything to get there, so the T will have to do for weekends!

The Model T is the greatest car ever, as far as I'm concerned. The Model A is a great car too. Go for whatever really sings your song and enjoy it to the max!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Garrett F. on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 02:12 pm:

Eric, Thank You!

I've had mostly positive results with many of the Model A people (including the president of the MAFCA), but I've had some problems (nothing but issues) with the Ahooga forums. I hate politics and I tend to argue when politics are brought up (members who remember me from when I was on here a while back can agree.)

I'm okay if you don't bring up politics - I just hate politics. Plus, people on the Ahooga boards show no optimism for the future.

Sincerely,
Garrett Fuller


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Haynes on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 11:11 am:

When I was 13 - 14 years old and started sniffing on Model T Fords in the local club, I would get up early on Saturday or Sunday morning after barely sleeping the night before and ride my bike to the starting point of a tour to hear the cars start and watch them depart. Several of the older members were at least dismissive if not overtly hostile to a kid doing nothing more than standing respectfully back, watching. I would be lying if I said it didn't bother me, but jeez, the degree of shunning some of those people shoved my way was just inexcusable. I read everything I could find on Model Ts, I learned from generous members of the club, I went to swap meets (where, from the hateful Model Ters I passed in the aisles, I learned I must have acquired the power of invisibility).

The dismissive attitudes of most of those cold-shoulder members thawed after a few years and they became lifelong friends. The worst of them, with their pinched faces and bitter, snappy comments, have all died in the intervening decades.

What, I wonder, was their goal? By their lights, did they "win" in the end? Was their blatant hatefulness to young people a crucial part of their enjoyment of their Model Ts? I was not the only teenager who was treated badly, but I was the only one who stubbornly refused to get run off by a half dozen mean-spirited, selfish old men.

Now, whenever a young person or young couple expresses interest in an antique I'm driving, I make the time to encourage their interest and possibly joining "the affliction" as my friend Wayne Sheldon so tactfully puts it. What I have learned is, be generous, pay it forward, be encouraging, do it for the fun of it, enjoy it while it lasts, because it doesn't last forever.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Georgetown TX on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 11:27 am:

My dad drove a '28 Model A (AR) to and from work in the early 1960s when we lived in Minneapolis one winter. The white coupe with its white fenders was darn near invisible parked next to a snow bank.

The Auto Lite manifold heater was fairly effective. With the radiator halfway covered in cardboard it would get toasty inside. By retarding the spark you can get the manifold really hot.

Model A's and Model T's are very squirrelly on icy roads. Not much contact area with such skinny tires.

I hope you take the time to meet Model A and Model T people in person. There are some people who seem very big and mean on the internet who are small in person.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Burger in Spokane on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 02:18 pm:

Dan,

Your story rings spot on for a lot of antique hobbyists of all types when I was an up-and-coming punk in the 60's and 70's.

I best describe that behavior as the "Kiss The Ring" mentality, where a little fiefdom is built up in certain peoples' heads about their superiority to those not in the "circle". It is highly destructive to the greater hobby (whatever hobby that might be), but some people are more interested in playing "bigshot" than they are in the bigger picture of promoting the hobby for the long term.

Like you, I stuck to my guns and went it alone if necessary, to do what I found enjoyable. Those oldtimers who were welcoming provided great mentorship and set my head straight about what is right in promoting a hobby. Those who were grumpy old trolls gave me added impetus to not be "That Guy" and share the pleasure with other noobies that the helpful guys shared with me. It was my greatest joy back then, and I enjoy it just as much giving back now.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric Sole - Castelldefels (Spain) on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 05:44 pm:

Dan, your story rings a bell for me too. It was very difficult for me to express my passion for antique cars to older people when I wasn't even old enough to drive.

When I bought the '40 Ford I thought I would at least have my foot in the door and I would be recognized as a fellow member in the local Early Ford V8 Club. Well, it wasn't to be. On the first outing my car couldn't keep up with the others on the highway. I just knew it was the fuel pump, but the older and wiser members told me that it was the carburetor. They loaned me one and it didn't help. I finally had to turn back home, curiously enough it was near where Garrett lives now!

When I joined the local Model T club, one of the senior members would call me "young Henry" in recognition of my enthusiasm and good knowledge of the workings of the Model T. That was a HUGE boost and I felt like I was a part of the hobby and had something to offer and to share.

Thank you Bill Virden. I've never forgotton.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Danial - Veneta OR US Earth Solar System on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 06:13 pm:

Burger, your description, "Kiss The Ring mentality" is spot on for most of the muscle car forums which is why I rarely post on them anymore - only when I need to get a quick answer usually. You won't find a bigger lot of arrogant hacks in any other hobby.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Burger in Spokane on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 06:45 pm:

Hahahaha ! You got that right ! Is it just me, or does anyone else notice the rich irony and duplicitous logic we find with a large group of people who own pretty much the same car .... let's say a Mustang, ... and how they consider them rare, unique, and special, and become quite indignant if anyone points out that there is a giant parking lot full of them at one of their car shows ? !!! LOL.

Yet, if we go to some function and a guy is there with the only Locomobile in the state, he is pretty humble and doesn't give those who ask questions a bunch of puffery !


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 06:58 pm:

Every forum has at least one who wants to be the biggest fish in that little pond... I've met a LOT of really great people, and a few jerks in all of my hobbies.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Garrett F. on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 08:32 pm:

Thank You, everyone for responding. It is greatly appreciated. Next year, when I get "Bonnie" I will join a local Model A chapter - the closest ones, sadly, are about 50 miles away in both directions. I've already met with a person who lives in our town that owns a 1931 Victoria - and I've attached a picture of him with his '31 Vicky below.

bi31vicky

As for Bonnie in the winter, I will be adding an aftermarket manifold heater and also will buy a set of 16" wheels and tires. But I will only run the 16" tires in the winter - otherwise the 19" will stay on (I plan on buying a 1930 or 1931 model - I'm not the biggest fan of the earlier Model A's.)

Eric, where did you have to turn around at? I live in Mid-Missouri. The sad thing about me being in the Model A hobby is that I'm not really mechanically inclined - but I'm definitely willing to learn. A friend sent me a spare reprint of the Model A owner's booklet he had laying around - and that shows a lot of good cutaway images of the engine, transmission, electrical system, and the chassis. I'm also a MAFCA member so I get "The Restorer" every other month. The Model A is a nice car, I think, to use as a daily driver and to cruise at highway speeds (I'm not a speed demon) but is still very easily repairable and maintainable.

Sincerely,
Garrett Fuller


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Garrett F. on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 08:33 pm:

Sorry,

I mean 50-55 miles per hour when I say "highway speeds." (Some people think highway speeds are like 70-75 MPH.)

Sincerely,
Garrett Fuller


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kenneth W DeLong on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 09:27 pm:

Garrett,That is one nice looking model A! As a kid on the farm my friends had doodle bugs or striped down old cars but i did not.After the Army and a Wife i could afford bug's and cut downs.I had a model AA stake rack the Wife hated so it was gone!Bought a house,raised two Kids through college and weddings then when our small farm was payed for i bought my first T! Got skined big time on a not correct 15 which i gave to my Grandson.Bought a Very Nice 14 touring,and later bought the Wife a very org 29 A town sedan.After i retired i wanted to build a speedster but i lost interest so when the MTFCI was seeking parts to build a speedster for the club youth i donated a 23 running chassis to the club.I waited a long time before i got my old car's so i take care of them! I was not trying to put you down when i said i thought it was dumb to expose a old car to winter weather but that was just what i think/thought.If you get a old car who are you going to pass it to when your old and in what shape will it be? At 69 this month i'm getting old and cranky like my old T but what will you do when it's your turn?? There was a black center door in town and the owner's son said he would give me a ride for 5.00 but i never had it! When it's your turn Please treat Your old iron with respect because any fool can ruin something not easly replaced!! Good luck-Bud.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Clayton Swanson on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 09:34 pm:

garrett, i must say, i agree with royce that model a's can get wild on snowy roads. i have a 31 coupe that has a heater and good door seals so it is actually warm and comfortable, but...she can get a little wiggly some times. i live in the country and only drive on gravel roads after the salt has been put out, but still like to take a drive in winter. mild snow storms are fun, but you must pay attention. also, i like the 30-31's better too, but do not like the late 31 with the indented firewall which makes you have to open the hood to turn off the gas


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Danial - Veneta OR US Earth Solar System on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 09:40 pm:

Off topic Garrett, but what kind of experience do you have with SEO? If you like, you can send me a note direct to my email if you don't want to have the conversation on the T forum:

doubleshot@liquorlist.com


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Garrett F. on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 10:27 pm:

Kenneth: I plan on maintaining the car on a regular basis and will make sure it doesn't get badly damaged. The Model A will be my only car, or at least for high school (depending on if I get it), so it will need to be maintained. I plan on changing the oil, lubricating the parts that need it, etc. on a regular basis and will check my oil, water levels, tire pressure, etc. on a weekly basis. In the winter, when they apply the road salt, I will scrub the exterior and undercarriage of the car when they put the salt down (which is predictable.) It is about as much as I can do to prevent rust.

Bob Irish does have a pretty nice '31 Vicky! It ran pretty good, but he explained that on his car he couldn't start the car if the spark was retarded and the engine was warm. He also honked the "ahooga" horn while I was standing right next to the horn and it almost blew my ear-drums right out. ;-)

Clayton - I will be installing 16" tires on Bonnie for the winter. The purpose for doing that is multi-fold. The tires are wider, and the chains for 16" tires are a lot easier to find than for 19" tires. Safety is an important concern of mine, but if you spend your entire life worrying about safety than you never have fun. :-)

Danial: I sent you an e-mail from gfuller@garrettswebsites.com

Sincerely,
Garrett Fuller


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Burger in Spokane on Sunday, September 21, 2014 - 11:34 pm:

Live your life, kid. Follow your dreams. Model A's are as common as bellybuttons in the big picture. Rare are 31 REOs, Auburns, and Hupmobiles.

I drive all winter in the snow and have never put chains on any of my vehicles. You learn to drive in snow and then just get to it. Go slow, be careful, think ahead, and learn the quirks of snow driving in the car you choose.

Live life like you were just told you had 6 months to live. Have no regrets.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric Sole - Castelldefels (Spain) on Monday, September 22, 2014 - 01:57 am:

Garrett, on my first tour we were driving east on I-70. I turned around a little before Columbia and limped back to Kansas City at a lower speed. That wouldn't have been too far from your home. Of course, you weren't there yet! :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Garrett F. on Monday, September 22, 2014 - 04:17 am:

Burger, Thank You for the optimistic thoughts. Model A's are more rare than the Model T (Henry made less than 4 million of them compared to the more than 15 million Model T's) and only 900,000 Model A's are thought to exist in a half-way decent restorable condition (i.e. the frame and chassis is mostly intact, etc.) But, much like Model T's, it is almost impossible to know every Model A out there and therefore they don't have an accurate count.

Eric, that sounds about right. We're only 20 miles west of Columbia. I used to live in Arrow Rock - a town about 20 miles from where I live now.


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