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"Would you help me buy, sell, or just look at prices for a Model A Ford?"
"How fast will she go?"
Why is this always asked? Speed is important, I guess. We are usually asked
this while stopped at a traffic light and someone just wants to ask something
- anything. Our answer? "We average 40 to 45 miles per hour on tours."
Of course, some cars have high compression engines and have been known to get
going on the Interstate Highways, but not ours. Much.
"How much did you pay?"
Usually people do not ask so bluntly, but I suppose that casual observers
are trying to figure out if they might be able to afford one or if it totally
out of their price range. Our answer? For our 1928 Tudor Sedan, we bought
it under $9000 on 24 Sep 1995. Online bidding can reach into the stratosphere. "Basket
cases" go for much less. Join a club, learn about the cars, ask question
and start out knowing before buying. Sometime you can get club members to go
with you to look at cars before you buy. What a deal.
"How much will you take for it?"
We hadn't had our Model A Ford for 24 hours before people were wanting
to buy it from us. At first, our answer was, "She's not for sale."
We told one man in jest, "More than you can afford," then later wondered
if the old geezer had a fortune in oil wells or something. After all, this is
Texas. Lately, we've considered that if we could sell it to some fool for
$50,000, we could probably buy two pretty reasonable Model A Fords. First, though,
we have to find that fool.
"Is it original?"
This one is hard to answer. The engine is a Model A Ford engine, but not
original to the body. We have added wind wings which were an original option.
For safety, we added turn signals and seat belts neither of which were even
an option in 1928. The CB radio is an added safety feature and is entertainment
on tours. The 1956 Ford truck gearbox makes the steering easier. The interior
is brand new as of 2008. Our answer to the "original" question? "Pretty
much." If they seem really interested and we have the time, we will point
out details.
"How often do you get to drive it?"
At least every weekend. We drive the Model A to all the club functions.
This includes tours, parades, monthly meetings, and the weekly breakfast gatherings.
The only thing we watch for is having to drive after dark. The winter weather
is mild enough here that the cold does not stop us. It is just in the summers
that it gets too hot for afternoon tours. Meanwhile, we drive to breakfast every
Saturday morning year 'round.
"Is this a Model T?"
Here is your chance to educate the American public. Since Henry Ford made
over 15 million "Tin Lizzies" between 1908 and 1927, it is understandable
that people think we are driving a Model T Ford. What is not so well known is
that Ford made over 4,320,000 Model A Fords in just four years between 1928
and 1931. Our answer? "No, this is a 1928 Model A Ford Tudor Sedan. Model
T's were are even older."
"I thought Henry Ford said you could have any color car as long as it
was black?"
Another misconception. Henry Ford said that about his Model T Ford. Model
A Fords came in some standard colors and you could special order different colors.
"Are parts hard to find?"
This one is easy. There are catalogs, swap meets, two international clubs,
and all their chapters. It is amazing what you can find out there. Since you,
dear reader, are here, you can start by surfing to this
links page. My answer? I hand them my business card with my web pages
listed.
Most Frequently Made Statements (while looking at a green 1928 Model
A Ford Tudor Sedan):
- "My father (uncle/brother/grandfather) drove a car just like this
one - except it was a blue Chevrolet that had four doors."
- "I courted my wife (first wife/sweetheart/first love) in a car
just like this one - except it was yellow with a rumble seat."
- "I learned to drive in a car just like this one - except it was
a red pick-up truck."
Most Frequently Misunderstood Statements:
What I say: "This is a '28 Ford."
What they say: "It is a 28-year-old Ford!?"
What I say: "This is an 86-year-old Ford."
What they say: "It is an '86 Ford!?"
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