Well, it's finally happened. After 50 years of working on Model T's, I just bought a Model A!! Last weekend I purchased a 1930 Standard Phaeton. I still haven't figured out how to post pictures, but some day I'll educate myself enough to get it figured out. Not only did I buy a Model A, I installed a water pump on one of my Model T's. What's happening to me!! I must be getting senile at a very early age. Is this normal for Model T guys?!! I hope everyone is enjoying their cars this spring, just be careful out there.

I slipped part way over to the dark side too. Bought a '30 Deluxe Coupe in January. It's a little weird having a distributor, water pump and oil pump and then add in shocks and a regular transmission. A whole new world as my prior experience with Ford had a gap from 27 to 54 so I still have much to learn.

I, too, transitioned to the dark side but quickly rectified my mistake. A few years ago I traded for a ‘29 Ford open pickup. But soon found out the difficulty in moving a right foot from the accelerator pedal to brake pedal. In an emergency situation this would be most dangerous. The leg above my right knee contacted the steering wheel so I had to turn this leg sideways and press on the brake with the side of my foot. My ‘26 roadster and ‘19 centerdoor is much easier for ingress and egress. So I sold it and bought a ‘50 tudor off MTFCA Classifieds

Well, I started with Model As and "graduated" to Model Ts. Couldn't afford to "graduate" to a Stanley, let alone a White or Doble. . . . .
My A friends think I'VE gone to the Dark Side. . .
I do still have my '30 Sport Coupe--I'm only the second owner, and I used to slide down the fenders when I was 3 years old.

Closest I've come to the dark side is I helped a friend get his model AA running and he took me down for ice cream. Does that count?

I have four Model T's and one Model A. Two of the Model T's have distributors and the other two run the factory 4 coils and flywheel magneto. I'm wondering if it would be possible to install a flywheel magneto and 4 coils in the Model A? That way, it would equally pi$$ off all of the Model A guys and all of the Model T guys equally, right? I suppose I could use Marvel Mystery Oil in all of them so as to sort of level off the animosity somewhat and equally pi$$ off everybody!

Actually, I think this all-too-common Model T/Model A "rivalry" is really pretty silly. I like all old Fords, up to and including the last "flathead" in '53, and actually, some of the later '50's Fords are pretty neat too.

I think in most cases, Model A guys don't like T's because they can't quite grasp the idea of the magneto ignition and 2-speed planetary transmission. Come to think of it, I'll bet the A guys not only can't grasp the idea of the Model T's three pedals, but I'll bet those Model A guys can't dance either! And I think Model T guys are just jealous because the A guys don't have to periodically adjust transmission bands or tear the whole engine/transmission assembly apart to fix some ignition problems either! ..... (:^)

Seriously, I think in most cases, it just merely boils down to the fact that it's pretty much human nature to "dislike" things we don't understand!

I guess my problem is that I only know just a little bit about both Model T's and Model A's! And at my age, I seem to get what little Model A and Model T knowledge I can still retain in my aging brain all mixed together so that I can't keep straight what applies to A's and what applies to T's! But,....it's all fun, right? .....harold

I just got back from a show this morning. We had 2 T's parked by 6 A's I had people say the engines look alike! I happen to have a Ruckstell with center shift and so it looked like the A gearshift. Someone actually asked, "What's the center pedal for" Someone else asked, "What's that swivel on top of your carburetor?". I have a 26 with the rotating rod for the choke and fuel adjustment. It looks like an A on the inside, but not on the outside. I also had someone who was surprised by the rod which goes through the block for the throttle. Someone else asked, "where are the front wheel brakes?" Anyway there were quite a few questions. The other T is a Canadian 15 touring. I pointed out that it had doors on both sides of the front seat. And that the U.S. T's didn't have one on the drivers side.
We had cars from T's till about the 70's. Those cars from the 1930's to later were very stock cars. They were lowered and had different drive trains. All the T's and A's were almost completely stock.
There are two shows a year here. One in the spring and one in the fall. It is a home for disabled people. They range in age from 20's to elderly. Some can walk and ask questions others are in wheel chairs, but they all look forward to the car shows. We must have had about 60 cars and about same number of viewers. After the show they served us lunch free.
Norm

I went from the dark to the light side. I've collected "oddballs" (26 Dodge, 36 DeSoto Airstream, 23 Brockway ALF fire engine and, 25 Gray -- I still have them) all my life and finally decided I should get the car that "put the world on wheels." But it had to be a 14 touring.

I found a great car at a great price and am soooooo sorry I didn't do it sooner. There is NOTHING like a Model T!!!!!

I love Model A's. I have always owned at least one. This is my first Model T. I tried to buy a Model T for $150 in high school but my dad would not let me. Something about loosing a rear end on a hill in LA with his parents in the back seat and having to steer for the curb to stop. Model A's are modern cars. The Model T is an antique.

I had a 29 A roadster about ten years ago....loved the little thing.

It would start with just the slightest little tug on the crank.

Sold it when I had to pay some medical bills and wish I had it back.

I have a low mileage, original paint 66 F100, a 54 Ford tudor that I've had since high school (32 years) and my 24 Touring. I want to add a 67-69 slant six Barracuda notchback, a 71-73 Vega Kammback (that I'll swap an aluminum V6 into) and a 28/29 Model A rumble seat coupe and my collection will be complete.

I went to the dark side 20+ years ago when I bought a 29 Tudor project car. I spent a few years accumulating a 39 V8 gearbox, a 33 improved B motor with counterbalanced crankshaft, a set of 48 V8 hydraulic brake drums, backing plates and shoes, all with the idea of building a nice road car.

Then I came to my senses and went back to T's. I still have the Tudor body and the frame on which it sits. Nobody wants to pay what I gave for it 25 years ago. Does that mean I paid too much or are those on the dark side tighter than we T owners.

Allan from down under.

George, I agree with you. I have an early '28 open cab pickup and it is really hard to get in and out of and to drive. I replaced the seat springs with a lowered set (about 4 inches). This helps a lot but it is still the most uncomfortable car I have ever owned.
Robert

A model T friend of mine once bought t an open cab model A pickup.
When he went to drive it home he could not get in it,
He left it at a museum in central CA. For a while.
He went back to model T, both open and closed cars, never to leave the T hobby again.
May be the same car?

:-) That dark side has always lurked within me along with these T's.
William, does the wind screen fold down on your Phaeton? There's a few of us that really like that look.
Hahaha! You're not "getting senile", you're expanding your horizons!
:-)

Big or small I love them all, ford cars that is!!

Besides our two model T's I have a 29 model A roadster P/U that I also enjoy driving. The seat has been moved back 2 inches. I'm able to get in and out with the top up. I simply slither in like a snake....it is fun to drive around our small town.

It has hydraulic brakes which I really enjoy....other than that it is mostly stock.

Les

I did that too........bought a '29 Model A Tudor.
I hated it and sold it......went to Germany.......good place for it.
My '27 T Tudor, however, is an entirely different matter.
THAT car I love.......

The Force BILL !!! Use the Force !!! :P

William,
Send me a message I will help you post your picture.

My dad is on the look for a Phaeton. He would love to see what you got.

Matt

Duey C - Yes, the windshield on 1930-31 Phaetons, Roadsters, and open cab trucks folds flat.

I must confess. I also have a dark side. (a very dark side). I own three Ts but I also have a 1929 Model A closed cab pk. Is not even a stock Model A. It is a 1960s style Hot Rod. It has a Ford 289 engine with a factory tri-power intake and carbs. It has a dropped 37 Ford front axle, juice brakes, banjo steering wheel and red "tuck and roll" interior. I acquired it during the "mid life crises time" and the sad thing is "I really, really, like it"

have fun and be safe ........

Well... I did drive this to work today.

Well I must be on the dark side too because my wife has called me a "Big A" several times over the years!

Craig Anderson - Just curious,....why such "hatred"?

Not unusual for someone to have a car that they don't care much for, like,......this was okay, and that was okay, but I didn't care for this, or I didn't care for that, etc, etc.

But you seldom hear someone say they had a car that they purposely bought, but "HATED" it!

Again,.....just curious,.....harold

It is nice to see the folded down windshield Phil. Like Duey, I enjoy that look a lot.
My first car was a 1930 Tudor. I enjoyed the heck out of it but sold it 14 years later as a down payment for our home. We have built a dozen cars here and it was a good time to get rid of it. I thought I would miss it someday but haven't. A Phaeton would certainly be nice to have.
Rich

How about marry a Model T and a Model A, (Hee Hee Hee) I was looking for an engine for my first project, and was unsuccessful finding a t engine. At the time,(didn't know where to look) and came across an a engine on craigs list. Well desperation got me and ...





ITS ALIVE, IT ALIVE HA HA HA

Here are photos of Bill’s Pheaton. If you were at Bakersfield do you mind just recognize it.

I've enjoyed reading the positive and ,yes, the negative comments. I'm having a great time with the "new" Model A, but through and through I'm really a "T" guy. I have been since I was 9 years old. Have fun out there!!

Our local A & T parts dealer had a 1930 Roadster with lots of accessories on it. Lots of Bling. It was quite a car.

That's the look! Thanks Phil! :-)
Ahhh. Such images may steal my daydreams away from an elusive original N. ;-)
Wait a minute. How well do tall folks fit in an open A? I'm 6-3.

Duey,
don't get a Deluxe Roadster, the tops are shorter!