Looking for info on using Model A as a daily driver

[Cinder2501]

Hi everybody!

Here's whats going on.
I would like to go about the daunting task of possibly using a Model A as a daily driver. Purely for the experience of reliving days past in a....tougher or easier time depending on how you view the situation.

I would like to try to get a 4 door hard top. I am not very mechanically inclined but I feel its simple enough it would be a wonderful teaching tool. I also do not want something I need to completely restore, I do not mind a little rust but would try to get one as original as possible and in good condition within a reasonable price which i have yet to determine.

So with all that out of the way. What should I look out for? What should I keep in mind?

Also specifically if possible I would like to keep the 6v system, how do you charge your phone or must you do a 12v conversion?

Any information would be awesome! Thanks everyone!!!

[BNCHIEF]

Welcome to the vff first off second where do you live rural or urban makes a big difference IMO. Apparently you do not yet have a car? Also find a club to join priceless help there along with great folks here. Reasonable price is determined by the buyer and seller but look at the threads here on things to do before and after buying a Model A there great advice from seasoned veterans.

[Cinder2501]

Welcome to the vff first off second where do you live rural or urban makes a big difference IMO. Apparently you do not yet have a car? Also find a club to join priceless help there along with great folks here. Reasonable price is determined by the buyer and seller but look at the threads here on things to do before and after buying a Model A there great advice from seasoned veterans.

I live in sort of both, my apartment is on the edge of a small city where the max speed limit is 55mph. I work in the next city 20 minutes away on typical 70mph highway speeds. No sadly I do not have my Model A yet. I have joined a couple of facebook groups and started to look through 365daysofA for a start. If I was going to give an estimate on price I am looking for would be 10-15k

[Mitch]

Welcome !!!!

You will receive a ton of info here concerning your questions, but first let me link you to this thread that is in our technical forum which may aide you in your purchase

https://www.vintagefordforum.com/for...-purchase-an-a

[BNCHIEF]

thanks Mitch

[Rowdy]

Best advice I can give for a daily driver is to stay away from modern distributor upper plate and wireless lower plate. Beyond that if well built keep up with normal maintenance. Rod

[Cinder2501]

Welcome !!!!

You will receive a ton of info here concerning your questions, but first let me link you to this thread that is in our technical forum which may aide you in your purchase

https://www.vintagefordforum.com/for...-purchase-an-a

Thank you!

[DaWizard]

Cinder, let me start by saying WELCOME to VFF!!

Something concerns me about your commute to work, if you are going to use it for that as well as driving around town. In order to get the Model A up to those highway speeds money will need to be spent to reach those "cruising speeds". Namely an Overdrive Transmission and or an Overdrive unit in the driveshaft, if you want to maintain 70mpg, probably both. One thing I would be very worried about is ability to STOP at those speeds.

Just for these upgrades is going to cost in the realm of $4,500.00. Now, if you can find a decent car with those features already installed, that should increase the base cost at least that much.

Complete New Randy Gross Brakes, $1.250.00
New Mitchell Syncro Trans $1,200.00 (Not sure about the late model 4speed OD trans)
New Mitchell Overdrive $1,800.00

Now, when looking for those things, IF you are not familiar with the items, please take someone with you that knows about them.

This also does not take into account the price of engine work to make it strong enough to get it up to those speeds.

My 2¢

[Mitch]

Your going to need a whole page for just your signature soon

[dmdeaton]

Take your time and find the local people like Mitch says. We started looking for a car a couple months ago and really scored big after we met some local people who know people. They can turn you on to known cars for sale and reasons they are being sold. We looked at several A's that were advertised and all had issues or needed too much work. We were lucky enough to have a club member / full time restoration guy volunteer to go look at a couple with us. He then pointed us to a car for sale he did most the work on and knew the history of the car. Spent a little more up front, but have all the driving/braking features mentioned above. And spent a ton less than building it. Take your time.

[BNCHIEF]

And you got a nice one and your friend helped you big time.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

ALL you need is a GOOD Old Model A & remember to drive it EVERYDAY!
Bill Simpleton:rolling

[Mitch]

You’re in a great location with lot's of knowledgeable Model A folks nearby to help you scout one out.

[Cinder2501]

Cinder, let me start by saying WELCOME to VFF!!

Something concerns me about your commute to work, if you are going to use it for that as well as driving around town. In order to get the Model A up to those highway speeds money will need to be spent to reach those "cruising speeds". Namely an Overdrive Transmission and or an Overdrive unit in the driveshaft, if you want to maintain 70mpg, probably both. One thing I would be very worried about is ability to STOP at those speeds.

Just for these upgrades is going to cost in the realm of $4,500.00. Now, if you can find a decent car with those features already installed, that should increase the base cost at least that much.

Complete New Randy Gross Brakes, $1.250.00
New Mitchell Syncro Trans $1,200.00 (Not sure about the late model 4speed OD trans)
New Mitchell Overdrive $1,800.00

Now, when looking for those things, IF you are not familiar with the items, please take someone with you that knows about them.

This also does not take into account the price of engine work to make it strong enough to get it up to those speeds.

My 2¢

I can avoid highways and only increase my drive time by 10 minutes. That's what i plan to do to keep the original experience.

[DaWizard]

Well, I would say that driving safer at around 45mph then you probably won't need all the upgrades, but it wouldn't hurt to get either one of the over drive options and definitely make sure you have good brakes at any speed.

[Curly]

My truck is my daily driver. It was never my intention for it to be, I just like driving it better than my modern truck. I will have 12,000 miles on it this year. Its perfectly reliable and there have not been any issues (knock on wood). I'm not as mechanically inclined as most on here, but I have Model A friends who help me when needed. My round trip to work each day is roughly 35 miles then I normally put on several hundred each weekend. In the snow I don't use it but for 7 months a year it gets used as it was intended. I normally do a few longer trips each summer too. It seems odd until you do it, then you realize its just a car.

[CarlG]

While I was working, I drove it to work every day. Not as far as Curly, but just as consistent. The longer trips in the summer are a blast. Check out the latest issue of The Restorer for one of our trips.

[Rowdy]

I forgot to say "Welcome". You have joined this site at a GREAT time. This site is only 5 months old and is growing quickly. Most of us are here after being fed up with another site. Along with our affection to the Model A that fact binds most of us here. Think of us as the outcast. The ones labeled as trouble causing and not worth the drama of spririted debate based on knowledge and experience. Would have to cast a wide net to find the knowledge that dwells here. Rod

[Curly]

While I was working, I drove it to work every day. Not as far as Curly, but just as consistent. The longer trips in the summer are a blast. Check out the latest issue of The Restorer for one of our trips.

Carl did a 650 mile trip this summer that included about 120 miles of dirt roads. Around ten cars in the group if I recall and not a single mechanical issue. The most handsome man in Alaska wrote up the story, as Carl mentioned its in the latest Model A magazine. Those Alaska boys sure use theirs!

[Ray Horton]

ALL you need is a GOOD Old Model A & remember to drive it EVERYDAY!
Bill Simpleton:rolling

I think he needs a little more than that for what he wants to do, Mr. Bill.

[ditchdoc7969]

This is my plan as well. Maybe not a daily driver but a "most of the time driver" for sure. Great information

[Chap52]

My 1930 Tudor was a daily driver for about a year when I had to make an adjustment of priorities and sold the car last month. I do live in Arizona and the weather is a reversal of the Michigan weather. But even in the hot, 100 degree summer the car was a joy to drive and always turned heads and stirred conversations in parking lots and gas stations. I have even had the opportunity to let kids sit in the drivers seat so their folks could snap a photo. Just learn the "sweet spot" for the spark adjustment, be satisfied with side roads and a slower pace.
Theses are not just an old Datsun pickup you run to the store in. They are a part of history that needs to be both enjoyed and shared.
Good luck in your quest, and welcome aboard the forum. And remember, "enjoy the adventure..." Chap

[conaway2]

A Fordor would be a great car, but look out for rotten wood in the body - and there is a lot of wood in those style bodies.

you should be able to keep the original 6V system, but upgrade the lighting to LED bulbs, and install an electronic voltage regulator on the generator. You can also install a USB charging port - I bought one for under $10 and it works quite well with the 6V system on my car.

LED turn signals from LogoLites are very easy to install and do not require any modification to the car.

As others have said - join a local chapter of the national Model A club.

Good luck finding a car.