1100 Mile Road Trip in a Model A Ford to Old Car Festival Part 1
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- This is Part 1 of a two part video as I drove my Ford Model A from Jonesborough, Tennessee to Dearborn, Michigan to attend the 2022 Old Car Festival in Greenfield Village at the Henry Ford Museum.
Taking backroads, you will see the adventure it took to get there. The roadside breakdowns or what I like to refer to as "roadside seminars" the climbs and drives through the Appalachian Mountain in Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky, and finally, the rest of the way to get to the museum.
Part 2 • 1100 Mile Road Trip in... includes videos of the cars driving on the streets, as well as photographs I captured inside the village before before the village opened up to the public. This allowed me a chance to capture some unique photographs without the huge crowds of people that were there.
This video includes narration as I drove, ( and broke down) as well as music when appropriate. LOL, I know some of you might not like the music but hey, just be kind in your comments. There is never a need to be a keyboard worrier right?!?!
Okay, grab your favorite beverage, and come along for the ride. Enjoy the journey just as I did!
The windshield phone mount I use to make this video amzn.to/3LFNnqt
You can see more about me and my photography at my website here www.kensmithga...
A very special thank you to Ford's Garage in Dearborn, MI for allowing me to park out front in a special spot to Keep Betty Lo safe! The staff was amazing and the food was outstanding! You can learn more about this location by visiting their website at www.fordsgarag...
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Please consider a donation to keep this channel going. We would love to upgrade our video and microphone system to incorporate better quality audio and sound as well as more road trips. You can donate here www.paypal.com....
My 1930 Ford Town Sedan has eyebrow fenders and still has the original interior. It's certainly worn but it still is functional. I have rebuilt the driveline, suspension, and tie rods, installed a modernized Model A motor with oversized intake valves, insert bearings, and a high compression head. I also have a lightened flywheel and V8 clutch. The car comfortably cruises at 50MPH but I've had it up to 60MPH. I have also insulated and installed sound deadener which has made the car enjoyable to be in even at 90 degrees.
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Thanks so much for visiting my channel!
watching this from Cornwall in the UK, this is such a unique experience in so many ways thank you!
Hi and welcome to the channel! Nice to see someone abroad watching. Glad you enjoyed the video.
Drove my 34 Ford from Norfolk Va up to Buffalo then Cleveland then on to my parents home outside of Chicago in '68. Fun trip, even with the breakdowns.hit a big chuck hole in Maryland and broke the main leaf in the front end. Lost the lights in the Pennsylvania mountains that was pretty scary, guy I bought it from wasn't an electrician. No problems from buffalo to Cleveland, nephews and my grandfather loved the car. Just outside Bowling Green the ignition switch vibrated loose gronding out the fuel pump on the freeway, not that cool at 65. Got that squared away and on to Chicago. My dad wasn't very impressed with my hot rod but my brother's loved it, took them all over the place in it. Very fun summer, trip.
Hi Bill! Welcome to the channel! It sounds like you had some great memories with your '34!
This is one great ride along, complete with the little issues that cropped up and you showed that as well.
Welcome to the channel! Glad you enjoyed the vid. Yep, she broke down twice, but she got me there and I had no issues on the drive home. That's part 2 :-)
As you went through Gate City Tn, I recognized the RR underpass N of town. I got stuck under it back in 1979 w a load of Jeeps backed out and found a way around it made my drops in Bristol, Kingsport and hi-tailed it for home. Found out later we were paid to go around in the first place 🥴🤣😃. Sure a great video. My Mrs. ( before she was my Mrs.) came from Toledo to Harrisburg Pa, with parts to fix the Power-Divider in the truck6 mos later. I figured any woman come 403 miles to help me fix my truck. . . . . it’ll be 44 yrs next week we met. and we still together 👍🙏❤️
Hi Norm! I read your reply out loud to my wife. As she grinned I told her that I too was lucky to have such a wonderful woman in my life.
46:35, good use of native A Model language. Hat's off to you for proving the A's durability.
Thanks so much for watching!
@@kensmithgallery4432 My pleasure. Whats amazing is that when I bought my own model a in 2021, I drove from charleston sc up to grand rapids passing a lot of the same major cities, how ironic is that?
@@phantomcorsair8476 That is pretty cool! I'm hoping to do a few major drives in 2024 with the car. Getting ready to tear into the roof this winter. I know I will be getting into some wood replacement as well but that's part of the hobby. I may even learn to sew and do my own interior too.
@@kensmithgallery4432 that would be a much better option, upholstry for em is getting out of hand. I'm helping a friend build a coupe and the upholstry is insane. We're doing it ourselves.
@@phantomcorsair8476 It sure is expensive. I just think it would be cool to do it. I mean, I have patterns right there so why not try?
What a great tour video! I really enjoyed it.
Greenfield village! This is where the virus hit me back in 2013. After coming home to Germany I bought a 1923 Ford Model T Touring, restored it and drove more than 12.000 miles since then. These cars cannot live alone, and so I am also the proud owner of a 1929 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup which followed me home in 2019. Both are fantastic cars and my wife and me we have so much fun with the cars.
I am looking forward seeing many more Model A videos on your YT Chanel.
Hey Touring 1923! Welcome to the channel! It sounds like you have a pair of beautiful vehicles! Keep driving those cars!
Again ,another great day when I can warch a Ken Smith video. Your so brave going on a 1100 mile trip. My wife and think it's big if we run 40 miles.At some point I'll get brave and head out into the big world.However when you had issues with your beerings,,,,,well I went into the garage and tore down my front wheels amd found my beerings were in great condition.You made me think and now I'm ready to rock n roll.Stay safe God bless.thx
Hey Dean! Thanks for the kind words. I appreciate them always! God bless to you too and enjoy those drives!
Great ride great music.
Thanks so much!
Glad you made it there despite the two breakdowns. Can't wait to see the follow-up.
Hey Jon! Welcome to the channel! The only other very minor issues I had was a brake light bulb and a running light bulb. They both burnt out on the drive there. I replaced them both at OCF before leaving on the return trip home.
When you arrived at the village you parked next to me. You can see me working on a timing issue. LOL.
I had to re-watch the end to see you. I totally did not catch that before!
That was the year we met at OCF. I so wish I could do some driving like that! God bless.
It sure was Tom!
Life is an adventure -- Enjoy the journey!
Hi Art Deco and welcome to the channel! Thanks so much for your comment!
I did a trip like that in 1972 from Flint Michigan to Green Bay Wisconsin and back in my ORIGINAL 1930 Model A Tudor. Not one catastrophic breakdown. We took the Badger Ferry across Lake Michigan from Ludington to Manitowoc Wisc. and back but drove the rest of the way. My car was NOT modified.
Sounds like a very fun trip!
Great to meet you and talk to you this weekend, Ken. Hope you'll be back next year!
-Deacon
Hey Deacon! Welcome to the channel. It was great meeting you too and plan to be back next year!
That was hands down one of the more enjoyable videos Ive seen in a long time. Could have been shortened a littlebit, maybe around the traffic light stops and such but all in all a very nice trip. Thanks for letting me join all the way from Scandinavia. :)
Hi Atle and welcome to the channel. I appreciate your kind words and comments!
Awesome Video Ken!
Hey buddy and welcome to the channel! Thanks so much for the kind words. I truly appreciate it!
Roadside repairs - Argh. A very nice trip , plus you’ve unknowingly added encouragement in rationalizing my current Model A brake improvement project with a not so small time and dollar expenditure. Since my schedule did not allow traveling this week, I decided to jump into a major preventative maintenance and safety project.
New cast iron drums, hubs, bearings, linings, plus the many small wear items in the brake mechanisms. Bogging the project down are the many Model A specific tasks in fitting and matching the individual components. Safety is paramount, avoiding your small break down episode is a potential benefit.
Did you notice a change in the steering after completing the toe-in adjustment?
Again thanks for the ride along. Your honest reporting will likely prevent others suffering the same inconvenience. Bravo!
Hey Myrl! Yes I did notice improved steering. In fact, most of the time, I only needed to guide it straight. That was nice. As to the bearings, I should have just had an extra set with me. So, that was poor planning on my part. I did clean, inspect, and repack before leaving. However, it failed anyway.
@@kensmithgallery4432 My project began as a desire to upgrade to the cast iron brake drums. Driving in the mountainous coal mining areas of Pa, I discovered that I had to be very aware of and manage to avoid the calamity of untimely brake fade. I believe that I noticed your A is equipped with the cast drums.
Once the project is completed the running gear will be as the day the car rolled out the factory doors. This may seem overkill but I have in mind some long distance travel in the future. New Mexico in 24 for the MAFCA event. The other possibility is Fairbanks, Alaska. I lived and worked in Fairbanks in the 70s and have previous experience driving the Highway. I’d love to revisit the experience with the soft top A. One could wear out their camera on the scenery alone.
In the old days road dust and flying road gravel stones were very real issues, but I believe it is now completely paved.
@@myrlstone8904 I still have lots to do to my A too. My goal is to drive it across country. It might be a year or two before I can do that just because of the work I want to do as well as other projects at home and my normal photography work. As to the Alaska Highway, I think it is all paved now. My friend is actually driving back to Colorado from being there nearly a month. 8K road trip in a modern vehicle.
@@kensmithgallery4432 I sent you my email address on your website discount form. I’ve done a lot of research and wrench time on how to best spend your money on A maintenance and upgrades. May have input of value on your project.
@@myrlstone8904 thanks so much! I love the Model A community!
Front wheel bearings same as 48 Ford most napa auto parts carry them i carry 2 spares Timken are best head gasket also i have carried
Just incase . And marvel mystery oil to add to fuel it really helps on trips like this
I didn't know that about the bearings. But the town I broke down in did not have a NAPA either so know way to get them. That being said, a great roadside seminar on what else to carry with me. I also use Marvel all the time.
I was going to drive my A to Washington State 2 years ago, the day before I was going to leave a lady on her cellphone ran tru an intersection in my small town and totaled out my A.
Oh man! That must have been gut wrenching! Hope you were not seriously injured!
This video deserve more views 👌🏻 Nice work! Greetings from Sweden 🇺🇸🇸🇪
Welcome OnlyMats to the channel! So glad to hear that you are from Sweden!
@@kensmithgallery4432 Thank you Sir 🙏🏻😊
Hello to a fellow Swede! Couldn't agree more.I love Ken Smith's video's.Hope all is well with you.
@@deanjernstrom3760 Hi there 😊 Ev is ok. Hope the same with you. We just joined NATO here and already we can see those B52 Stratofortress of yours in our skyes from time to time 💪🏻🇺🇸 (excuse for my english, my phone is set on Swedish 😅
Your English is better than my Swedish.Love B52's My brother guarded B52's during the Vietnam war,in AMERICA and in Vietnam.Do you own a Model A?
How fast do you normally drive on long road trips? Cruising speed.
Hi and welcome to the channel! Normally I drive around 50MPH. She can cruise at 60 but the sweet spot is right at 50.
@@kensmithgallery4432 Good to know. Ill be getting a fordor soon as my daily driver so now I know it’ll cruise at a safe speed on road trips. Thanks for the reply
@@thepilotmaster777 my pleasure!
Why didn't you bring parts with you why didn't you put new wheel bearings in it before you started off
David, I re-packed the wheel bearings 500 miles before I left. Did I bring spare parts with me? Things like an extra carb, distributor, belt, gaskets, but I can't bring everything. I drove that car 550 miles in two days each way. I know plenty of guys with Model A cars that will never brave it up enough to do what I did. For a first time solo road trip, I think I did very well. Did I learn do things to do it better? I sure did. Will I do it again? Absolutely!
@@kensmithgallery4432 I understand sir I wouldn't trying to give you a hard time I live in southern Pennsylvania and I just come into some money and I'm looking to buy classic car not a model a or model t something from the 70s maybe 60s are even 80s brand new cars can break down on a road trip I've had them to do and I have took old clunkers on a road trip at you wouldn't think you could make it to the grocery store and have no problems out of them but I'm going to buy a car truck and I'm going to drive it from Southern Pennsylvania at Illinois hit route 66 in Chicago and go on and travel route 66 to Amarillo to the Cadillac ranch made my wife and my six-year-old stepdaughter that odor for going to make the trip I'm going to do it in a classic car sometimes no matter how did you check them out anything could in 2000 I had a 1974 Datsun pickup good running truck I drove it from hickory North Carolina to Columbus Ohio 3 times no problems whatsoever out of the little truck if I still had that truck I would take the road trip and hit it be uncomfortable for three of us but we do but I'll find the right car or truck for my road trip love your video sir
Really??? Rock and Roll in a 1930 Model A??? Seriously???
Yes! You bet! I even listen to it sometimes when I drive. Just the fact that the car is over 90 and I'm over 60 doesn't slow either of us down.
Terrible music!
Thanks for watching!