Re: Engine/Transmission Transplants in Model A's

Posted by Mike Flanagan on December 07, 1997 at 14:55:17

In Reply to: Engine/Transmission Transplants in Model A's
posted by Steve Watrous on December 06, 1997 at 23:47:23

Steve; The short version of the answer to your question is yes. A fellow in CA has a roadster peacup with a chrysler automatic of some sort installed. Seems to work fine. I can get you his name if you would like.
That said and with all due respect and paying heed to the civilities the problem is not the standard transmission or the student. That leaves only one possiblilty. In order to "form a more perfect union" and "to promote the domestic tranquility" teaching the better half to drive the A should be left to an outsider with the patience and the knowledge to get the job done properly. I speak from experience. Me and the Big Blond went at it on several occasions. No cigar.
MAFCA has a program called "This Lady Drives an A" in which a club member teaches the wives, with the exception of his own, how to drive the A. After 2 hours she came tooling by the house with her arm out the window telling me in sign language that I am still number one. I think that's what it means....
Now when we travel in the summer I'm confident that if something happens to me she can roll me into the weeds and head for the nearest life insurance office with policy in hand and a grin on her face. In my pride and joy, GRRRRR.
Seriously, try this before you throw the baby out with the bath water so to speak. Women have been driving Model A's for years. Mary Pickford drove a Sport Coupe. Henry said that the Model A was A "Ladies Car".
God Speed Under 50.
The Model A Fool.
: I know this is going to stir up a great deal of controversy.
: My wife really enjoys are Model A coupe and I am in the process of buying a 29 closed cab pickup for her.My problem is that she can't drive standard shift.I've tried and tried to teach her but she has a mental block.As soon as she stalls the engine trying to get moving she goes into panic mode, throws up her hands and threatens divorce.Now I love my wife and don't want a divorce.So I've been thinking of alternatives.Has anyone seen an engine (4cyl) and automatic transmission swaped into a model A without destroying the car.In other words a swap that's reversible??I refuse to do anything that requires butchering the car, but there are a lot of clever people out there and I hope that they may have figured this out.My fondest desire is that eventually my wife will learn to handle standard shift, but I'm willing to make the conversion for her if it does'nt destroy the car.Our vehicles are drivers but we like them close to original and will not make modifications that are not reversible.Please let me know if anyone has done or seen such a conversion.
: Thanks for your help
: Steve Watrous
: PS:MA Fool; under 50 mph is OK!! :-)

Follow Ups:
Re: Engine/Transmission Transplants in Model A's Jordan Heath December 09, 1997 at 20:59:03(0)

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