Road Test Results as requested by kb426

Canuck · October 30, 2016, 11:00:42 PM

'kb426" asked me a question in another post. Instead of hi-jacking that post I thought the best way to answer would be a new post. The question -- Sorry to go off topic, Canuck, you haven't said anything about driving your A. Are you satisfied? Anything you would change? I went and looked at your blog again. It looks really good.

Only managed to put about 500 miles on the car this summer. Water pump gave out and took three weeks to get a new one sent up here to Canada. Local parts vendors only had rebuilt ones by a unknown vendor. Of course some of the 1/4" bolts insisted in breaking so I had to pull the rad to get access to repair them.

Ride, Handling, Braking: Choppy but not harsh, front suspension is typical axle with a Poisie's reverse eye spring. Rear gives quite a nice ride with the 41 front spring with only 8 leaves. Shocks are So-Cal. Cornering is flat with front and rear panhard bars holding it in position. Steering with a Saginaw 525 box and 7 degees KPI is heavy till you get the car moving then easy and feels like a go-kart. Brakes take a little getting use to as I have only driven cars with power brakes for the last few years, but OK once you get use to them. 75 MPH on the highway is no problem, just have to pay attention to where you are going. After doing the alignment myself in my garage and mounting the tires there as well with out balancing there is no vibration and no wobble (can't even make it by going across rough RR crossing at a angle.

Vision: Have repro A door mirrors and found them virtually useless, just like a peep mirror. Added 4" convex stick ons and that improved the view. Would be nice to find some that are not as convex, these have a little too much. Otherwise typical Model A coupe. Interior mirror is a repro 53 Chevy day/night that has too much travel between day/night and vibrates (to be looked at this winter).

Heat: Could have used a heater this fall, Oh well. In the summer had no problem with heat, floor and firewall stayed cool with 3 layer of EZ Cool insulation and a layer of under-pad felt.

Sound system: great tunes reminicent of the old inboard speed boats, just missing the burble. (maybe I could add a water tank in the trunk and dump water into the tail pipes to get the burble)

Gauges: vintage SW so they work good, even the NOS tach and sender. The gas gauge bounces around a lot with the gas surging in the RCI tank. (winter plan is build a electronic damper to cut down on this surging).

Interior quietness: I will pass on this. Still missing some door weather striping and interior insulation and all upholstery so it is a bit loud inside at present. Started making the cards for kick panels and doors.

Comfort: at 6' and nearly 70, I find it a little short on legroom. Hope to be able to gain a little by thinning the seat back when doing the upholstery and a re-design of the gas pedal but this will only be a couple of inches. Nice to get out after a hour and stretch.

Gas mileage: could someone please explain what this is to me. Other car is a 64 Malibu with a 406 so this one seems OK to me.

Changes: a couple of minor tweeks as mentioned, can't do much about interior room, it is a Model A coupe. Install rest of hood. Finish making a barrier to protect gas tank from items in trunk Make a tool compartment similar to 40 Ford in rear of trunk.

Looks Factor: lots of WOWs

May even go against my own rules and enter it in MSRA's Rodarama Car Show in the spring if the interior is finished.

Canuck

enjenjo · October 31, 2016, 07:05:33 AM

I would say you have it looking right.

WZ JUNK · October 31, 2016, 07:16:26 AM

I like it. A clean well designed car.

John

UGLY OLDS · October 31, 2016, 11:10:39 AM

I LIKE IT :!:

Bob...

GPster · October 31, 2016, 12:20:18 PM

I've never been taller tha 5' 7 1/2" and I wasn't anywhere near 70 but my Model A coupe was channeled. My interior didn't have any shelf under the rear window between the back of the seat and the back of the cab. Of course I started with a "Gutted" body but don't the Coupes have that feature? A thinner seat back would give you the same condition but maybe losing that shelf if it's there would help more. One other idea might be dropping the foot space section of the floor down below the top of the frame. That would mean building some sort of trans tunnel but you'd only need to do this between the firewall and the front of the seats. With running boards you'd have room to drop any exhaust lower for clearance and maybe only do it on the driver's side. GPster

Canuck · October 31, 2016, 12:21:06 PM

Just a expansion on this message. It was sent for "kb426", as I kind of read into his question that he was looking for a insight to driving and riding in a car like this, maybe planning a build himself.

But as a further expansion, I would like to thank the commenters, as the outcome of my build is a result of the help I have received either from reading postings from them or from direct information given to me by them on problems that I was trying to overcome.

So THANKS GUYS. The help was greatly appreciated. I couldn't have done it without you.

Canuck

rumrumm · October 31, 2016, 03:06:52 PM

If you know someone who works in a glass shop, you could have a newer passenger rear view mirror re-cut to fit your mirror thus giving you a better view. I have one of those on my passenger side mirror and it helps. The regular mirror was worthless.

kb426 · October 31, 2016, 08:03:59 PM

Canuck, that was a good review. I'm not planning on building a car like that but what intrigued me was a "60" style rod. My 32 is like that in many ways but it's still a 60's rod in driving and riding. I was curious if you met your goals.

I think everyone on this forum will agree that it looks great. There's many things that I saw that I thought you did a great job on. Congratulations.

Canuck · October 31, 2016, 09:10:16 PM

kb, The goal was a 60s style that I knew I wouldn't be adhering to as strictly as another web site would like. The engine is a 66, but dressed to look like it was just pulled out a wrecked 53-54. Gauges with the exception of the volt gauge are all early 60s. Interior will be tuck and roll. Body is nearly all original Henry. The aim was to do every thing like I could have in 1960 if I had the money and skills. The money is still a issue.

There are a few swings away from the goal, most to meet local conditions (radial tires and halogen headlights that are better suited to our terrible roads) and govt. regulations, as we have to have a inspection prior to licencing to meet safety requirements.

The 4-bar in the back is because I couldn't figure out a way to fit legal mufflers and suspension in any other way. Original was going to be 35 radius rods.

I think I hit my goal fairly close.

Thanks for the kind works. Greatly appreciated.

Canuck (Jim)

Harry · October 31, 2016, 11:36:43 PM

Are they '28-'29 fenders on your car?
They look good.

idrivejunk · November 01, 2016, 08:52:43 PM

This car is a hit with me. It is somehow comforting to look at, and I enjoyed reading about how it behaves.

39deluxe · November 02, 2016, 10:03:53 AM

It looks right on the money to me. I like everything about it.

Tom

416Ford · November 02, 2016, 12:08:39 PM

Quote from: "Canuck"Looks Factor: lots of WOWs Canuck

Wow. I like it, love the fenders on it also.

Dave

papastoyss · November 10, 2016, 01:08:55 PM

Quote from: "rumrumm"If you know someone who works in a glass shop, you could have a newer passenger rear view mirror re-cut to fit your mirror thus giving you a better view. I have one of those on my passenger side mirror and it helps. The regular mirror was worthless.

I must have measured 10-12 spot mirrors til I found one the size of my pass side mirror, broke the original glass out & glued the spot mirror in w/silicone, 20 k miles it's still holding & I don't have to worry about the blind spot.