Perhaps a bit off topic for the H.A.M.B. (i.e., it’s not a Traditional Hot Rod) … but I always like me some Derek Bieri (VICE GRIP GARAGE) “rescue, revive, & drive home” videos … enjoy:
I've watched a few of his videos and that one seems to be in far better shape than most of the ones he flys out and buys and patches together and drives home. My experience with all of my cross country trips is that if your engine trans and running gear are in pretty good shape it is usually going to be a under 50 dollar part that fails. I drove my 48 around central Texas for three months with the longest run time being maybe an hour to get out to a wrecking yard that was a bit of a ways away. It never gave any problems. Take off for Tulsa to the 73 street rod nationals and get up to the Texas- Oklahoma border and the coil failed. 3 plus hours and 180 miles in 100 degree heat killed the coil that had gone 15 miles each way to work and back for months. I'm not starting to watch that video this late at night though.
I was stoked to see that make it home, particularly the way oil and coolant didnt like staying in the car. Those fly, fix and drive home videos are now being done to death but VGG is one of the better ones.
Great video. Too much film time driving though. For never owning a model A for long I’ve learned quite a bit from this. I would have given up when the all day rain started. Driving the back roads for 700 miles at 40 mph seems like a great way to spend three days. Better than watching cartoons on a Saturday morning. Thx for sharing.
I've brought home many a hoopty or hurt car in my past. Definitely an adventure making do while on the fly.
I don’t think Time or money is an issue for this guy anymore. He took home nearly 300,000 after taxes last year according to YouTube Adsense. He has good content, I’ve been a subscriber for a yr or so
$11,000??? Way over priced and a perfect example of not inspecting a car before you purchase it. Wrong body color, wrong interior, wrong wheel color, I could go on and on. $7500 would be a fair price. There are several examples in both Model A Ford Club,s magazines that are show quality, fully restored, for less money.
First of all, he didn't give up and......it made it to his shop! That's a statement in itself. Kudos for not giving up. He's a talented fella with a great sense of humor and patients. Back roads are the only way for stock Model A's or vintage era cars. If you like, just fast forward through the driving sections of the video. It's an enjoyable video worth watching. Thanks! I have had several Model A's over the years. I'm settled now on a V8 version Tudor and a stock coupe. To me. the best of both worlds.
Yeah, I went down that rabbit hole and watched that entire video, I was pulling for him and he reminded me of so many of us, just keep pushing for thr destination. I'm not familiar with this guys video's but he is amusing and he don't give up even at times when it is the most prudent thing to do. HRP
Description from the listing: 1928 Ford Model A, sedan, 4 cylinder flathead, original car, no modifications, runs good, drives good, paint is cracked in some places, and on fuel tank, a really nice Model A, runs and drives good, really fun in the summer time, just driven to car shows, we've had it for years, its never given us any problems. Photos from the listing:
I watched it last night. I've watched a lot of his videos. He is very persistent in getting done what he starts.
Hello, Taking a long distance road trip is something that we all aspire to do with old cars and hot rod builds. Most cars don’t get out on the road for long road trips due to the cost and time involved. But, back in our minds, if we bought an old car in North Carolina or somewhere on the Eastcoast, it would be a great road trip back out West to our So Cal coast. Sure, one has to take into consideration about the safety and reliability of the old hot rod. But, if one was purchased with hot rod road trips in mind, then after a check of the safety standards, “go West.. Old folks…” The Model A in the story looks well built, but knowing the ability of a low powered 4 cylinder motor is questionable. We just have to accept the fact that it is the standard that comes with a restored Model A coupes and sedans. So, this time, a full-on cross country road trip for this car is not the most anticipated event. If it had an SBC motor and A/C, then my wife would enjoy something different for our fly out, drive home adventure. that Model A Sedan just has the complete solid look. Jnaki We know the difficulties of a low powered Flathead motor on So Cal coastal roads and the limitations it creates. So, as nice as the red Model A Sedan is, that 4 cylinder would be the first thing that would come out and be replaced with a SBC motor. 700 miles is a long distance jaunt. We have taken over 2000 plus miles on a long cross country journey and many miles up/down the Westcoast on our extended road trips. But, each time, it was with a reliable station wagon, not a 4 cylinder motor. So, it would be like driving from Dana Point Harbor to Big Sur and back at a 718 mile round trip. Our modern car had no problems… the old red Model A? Questionable… P.s. For a circular route in So Cal, a Dana Point to Santa Barbara, via the Mojave Desert, to Palm Springs to the San Diego Harbor and back to Dana Point is about 700 miles. In our current station wagon, not a problem and have done it several times. On our last cross country road trip, it was in the Southwest and the roads were relatively flat, barren and straight. But, we were in a modern powerful station wagon for reliability, not a simple 4 cylinder motor. Again, that nice looking Model A just might need a little more power and reliability… YRMV
It reminded me of the Model A that was in "The marvelous Mrs. Maisel". These were honest everyday driving cars at one time.
Here is my 2 cents worth-and I have not watched the video. I have a mostly stock Model A sedan and I have driven up and down the cost and to Reno on the freeway with no problems. You have to learn and know the cars original limitations and drive accordingly-that is all. I stay in the right lane and cruise about 52-55 as that is where she seems to be happy. I have learned to anticipate the $%#$%$#% boneheads out there which has made me a better driver-I hope. I don't understand why everyone has to shove a SBC in everything, you may as well drive a modern car at that point. These cars did just fine back when they were new. Also, I plan to drive my Model A from the SF Bay Area to Bellingham, Wa next month as we are moving. I have mapped out the route and will be doing I-5 all the way up (mostly), it will take me 4-5 days as I am in no real hurry. I could go longer but not sure my body will take it at my age. Mike
I've driven worse things across the Continental Divide and across the Mojave Desert, back & forth between Denver and L.A. with no problems other than boiling over. 50 dollar Fords, "54 Olds with a horribly bad wrist pin, ''46 Buick, '54 Buick with no oil to the overhead, etc. I don't remember paying any more than 100 bucks for any of them and just got in and took off. I had a really nice Model A until recently when I sold it for pennies on the dollar for Mikes' Model A parts to raffle off to benefit the Wounded Warriors Project. I would drive that car anywhere. It went to a higher purpose though and raised 34,150 bucks for the soldiers, after expenses. Now, I just enjoy my old jalopies. Cars have ESP, ya know. If you spend your time worrying whether it will make it, it probably won't. Thus sayeth the crazy old coot..............
Well it was a pretty popular thing back in the modern mid 50s and they fit pretty well in just about everything...and this is a place that is about all things Hotrod...can't re-program the History... ...and yes the ole bangers lent well to Hop-up as well...aka Gow and even hit the 200 club if I'm not mistaken...also mustn't forget the plethora of sixes and numerous other oddballs that found their way into A Bodies... So we celebrate all of that here...even the odd original...but they're not the norm here...that's Fordbarn stuff...
Seems like it would be really hard to drive one of those with cowboy style work boots of that size. I can't even wear regular work boots in most of my cars and drive (stock pedals) comfortably.
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