Re: Attention Model A Kids & Kids At Heart

Posted by John Icenhower on February 03, 1998 at 14:39:44

In Reply to: Attention Model A Kids & Kids At Heart
posted by Anthony Gal on February 03, 1998 at 08:35:29

Since we're telling our stories...
My Dad and I got my Model A when I was 14.He had wanted a roadster or coupe and I wanted a sedan.It turned out to be a '29 Town Sedan. It was always sort of "my A" even though the title didn't change hands for some years.Early on, about 15 & 16 years old, I had a fellow who had a wrecking yard who called me the "Model A man".If I needed a part and he had it, it was mine just cause I was working on an A.He was more than glad to help out.I even got a hard to find crankshaft nut wrench that "loops" around the pully so it can be tightened in the car with the engine and radiator in place, Z-something or the other, just because he thought I could use it.And I (and others) have on numerous occasions.
I've also had several shade tree and Mom & Pop Garage mechanics who have taught me lots just because I was the young kid who was interested in Model A's.
One older member of our club gathered together a group of us "younger guys" to build an engine to give away at a tour just so he could pass on what he knew about putting them together. Now he is gone and all of the younger guys (44 is young?) are still active and raising families of future Model A'ers.Mine are 19 and 16.
I somewhat resent the older guys being called "geezers". They may be cantankerous, cranky and suspicious at the beginning, but they usually will warm up and be down right helpful once they get to know what your motives are and that you are really interested in preserving your A. (After all the street rodders would include even us younger guys in the "resto-wheezer" category.) (It's funny that most of the guys I read about are awfully gray headed that are driving around in those street rods.)
In my immediate area, there aren't many 30 and 40 year olds that are into A's either.Most of them are Camaro or Mustang "freaks".But these are the cars they grew up with as I did. It's just that the Model A arrived first and always had first choice with me.
Don't give up hope on the old ones or the young ones!We just gotta stick together and keep 'em on the road.
I think my soap box just just caved in....
John

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