Newbie says "thanks" and asks more questions

Posted by Matthew W. Woodruff on July 21, 1998 at 14:21:52

Thanks to everyone who responded to my my "top ten"
(actually, it was five) questions.
I live in New York City and am looking for a "fun" car to
drive on weekend outings ('round town I take the subway).
I won't have a garage (except to park in) and therefore
don't have space to work on the car, except for some
curb-side tinkering.(I have a reasonable degree of
mechanical aptitude and I'm not afraid to get my hands
dirty, but part of this whole project is also
to find a skilled mechanic in the city or suburbs who
can handle regular maintenance and repair.)
I am looking for a good "driver," not a show car.
Originality is important but not to the point of being
obsessive.My price point is ca. $10k.
I have never driven a "A," but did drive a 1950 V-8 for
a number of years, so I'm aware of the lack of any safety
features, as well as modern comforts.
So, with that said, is a well-maintained "A" reliable
enough to use as a weekend, let's-go-on-a-picnic ride?
And also
What are those levers on the steering column (vacuum/
spark advance)?
How do they work?
How may pedals does it have (brake, clutch, throttle,
starter)?
What are some good books to read?(I have "Model A as
Henry built it.")
What else must I know so that I don't appear to be a
complete innocent when I start talking to owners?
Thanks a lot,
Matthew W. Woodruff

: : hello, matthew,
[snip]
: first, tho, could you give us a bit of a picture about your abilities and preferences?
: are you looking for a restored or very well preserved car which you can use as is, and are you particular about originality?
: what, approximately, price range have you budgeted for?
: have you a reasonable competence in basic mechanical work, and do you enjoy working on your cars?
: have you a comfortable garage and a good basic kit of tools?
: have you driven a model a for any distance, and what do you think of the "feel" of the car?---i refer especially to the lack of hydraulic steering, vacuum brakes, soft cushiony ride, etc., to which you may have gotten accustomed in newer cars?
[snip]
: carla

Follow Ups:
Re: Newbie says Bob Johnson July 21, 1998 at 18:57:01(1)
MAFCA Chapters Bob Johnson July 21, 1998 at 19:00:31(0)
Re:one person's opinion carla July 21, 1998 at 16:18:00(0)
Re: Newbie says "thanks" and asks more questions Kevin Daly July 21, 1998 at 14:59:54(0)

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