Re: 32 FORD ROADSTER

Posted by Mike Flanagan on June 21, 1997 at 15:50:32

In Reply to: Re: 32 FORD ROADSTER
posted by Joe on June 21, 1997 at 10:16:13

: I'm in total agreement with you, Ron.It seems as though some people use this page to enhance their own ego. They seem to answer all the questions and pride themselves as experts, based only on the fact that they own a Model A.Having been in the automotive business for 32 years, and owning Model A's,
: I find it amusing to read some of the answers to legitimate
: questions. Case in point, one fellow asked how to align his front end. The correct answer should have been: Take it to an alignment shop or a frame shop. But there were several answers
: on how to make a gizmo. I must say that there have been some
: excellent answers given too. My hats off to those guys who are honestly trying to help. You are right there is no reason to be rude, maybe these people should start their own page.
Joe, generally speaking I tend to stray away from contentious discussions of any type and in any format. While I have no opinion on the event that started this discussion I do have an opinion on your remarks regarding the mechanical aspects of the automotive hobbiest. That opinion is, from my perspective, that the purpose of owning, restoring, maintaining and driving a hobby car of any type is the pursuit of knowledge. Not the care and support of repair facilities. In the case of my personal passion, that being the Model A Ford, the sole reason for owning this automobile is to enhance my historical perspective of the industrial progress of the 20th century with respect to the automobile and it's progression to the present. Towards this end I choose to work on my own automobiles and I also choose to, on occasion, create a "gizmo" or two of my own to assist me in this endeavor. I also reserve the right to attempt, in whatever feeble manner I may muster, to pass on any of this acquired knowledge to those entering the hobby. All this at the risk of being branded an egotist. Webster defines "ego" as ; one's image of ones self. I can asure you I do not need to bolster my ego by attempting to assist fellow hobbiests in the pursuit of a mutual interest. Learning is what this hobby is all about. As regards taking Mr. Model A to a front end shop the sum total of aligning the front end consists of setting toe in. Caster and camber are fixed and if suspect the books explain how to diagnose and also how to repair. Mr. Model A had a camber problem on the right front hoof and I remedied the situation personally. And without much effort.
My only reason in engaging in this conversation is to warn those new to the hobby to be cautious in falling into the trap of allowing some stranger to work on your pride and joy. The family car is a different story. But the hobby car should be a learning tool and you "don't learn nothin'" by scrubbing the gold off of the face of your MasterCard.
Other than that I have no opinion on the subject.
God speed under 50.
Mike Flanagan, The Model A Fool.

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