People ask a lot of questions about the Model A, some educated and some no so educated.  Here is a sampling of what we've heard.  If you're new to the Model A, these questions might help understand this amazing little car.  Enjoy!

Q: How fast does a Model A go?
A: Top speed is between 50 - 60 MPH.  Cruising speed is 40 - 45 MPH.  With mechanical brakes, that's plenty fast enough!  Watch "Hard Travelin" at this link and find out.

Q: How many miles to the gallon do you get?
A: Gas mileage ranges between 10 - 25 MPG.  The driver can adjust the fuel mixture from rich to lean depending upon the road conditions.  Of course, Colorado mountains don't help gas mileage.

Q: What year is it?
A: All Model A cars range from 1928 to 1931.  Anything else is not a Model A.  The Model T was in production from 1909 to 1927.  Actually the first "1828" Model A's came out in October of 1927.

Q: My dad had one just like that, only it was a Chevy.
A: All Model A's were manufactured by Ford.  There are very few other cars left from that era, mostly because there were fewer built and not built as durable as the Ford.

Q: What are those levers on the steering wheel?
A: The lever on the left is to adjust the spark advance.  This tells the spark plugs when to fire in relation to the piston stroke position.  Modern cars do this for you, but it's not hard.  The lever on the right is a hand throttle.  It operates exactly like the accelerator on the floor, so you can use it like a cruise control.

Q: Have you owned it since it was new?
A: Probably not a good question to ask...  That would put most owners over 100 years old!

Q: How do you open the door?
A: Just turn the handle.  It's different than modern cars.

Q: How many miles do you go between oil changes?
A: 500.  There is no oil filter, no air filter, no fuel filter.  That means you have to change the oil frequently.  Plus, there are about 30 grease fittings to attend to every 500 - 2,000 miles.

Q: Henry Ford said, "Any color as long as it's black."
A: That was the Model T.  And even that changed by 1926.  The Model A came out in 1928 and had a wide variety of colors.  The fenders are always black, but the body and wire wheels are color.

Q: Are you going to make a hot rod out of it?
A: Sorry, no.  A stock Model A is worth far more than a hot rod, and twice as fun to drive.

Q: Does the engine leak oil?
A: You bet.  If it's not leaking, it must be out of oil!

Q: Where's the turn signals?
A: Stick your hand out the window, pal.  There are no blinkers on Model A's.  Do you know your hand signals?  Straight out means left turn.  Hand up means right turn.  Hand down means stop, although the Model A has one rear stop light.

Q: Where's the VIN number?
A: It's stamped on the frame.  You have to remove the body of the car to see it.  There's also a number on the engine, but many Model A's have had engine changes, so the engine number may not match the frame number.  Hopefully, the VIN number is on your title.

Q: Do you have to add lead to the gas?
A: All gas in the 1920's and 30's was unleaded.  Regular unleaded is best.  Don't use premium or additive gas.

Q: Can you still get parts for it?
A: Bert's in Denver is the best place.  They carry every part for the car, and tubes and tires.  You can even buy restored an unrestored cars there.

Q: What's that thing on the back?
A: A luggage rack.  A trunk sets on top.  You know... for your overnight bedding, change of clothes, and toiletries and such.

Q: Did you restore it or buy it like that?
A: Most Model A enthusiasts buy restored cars.  It can take 1 - 3 years to restore a car from the frame up.  Every part must be carefully removed, restored, cleaned, painted, and reinstalled.

Q: Can I get a ride in the Rumble thingy?
A: Sure, if you want to live dangerously.  There are no seat belts in a stock Model A, including the mother-in-law seat.  If I hit a bump, you may fly out.  Is that okay?

Q: Is it a Flathead?
A: Yep.  Four cylinder, 40 HP, 200 cubic inch displacement engine.  It's got twice the horsepower as the predecessor, the Model T.

Q: Does it have an air conditioner?
A: Sure, just open the windshield for a little extra air.

Q: What type of oil does it use?
A: Detergent, non multi-viscous, non synthetic oils are best.  Quaker State is fine.  The car takes 5 quarts of oil, but one quart stays in the value reservoir, so oil changes usually only take 4 quarts.

Q: Who sells cars like this now a-days?
A: Bert's, eBay, MAFCA classifieds.

Q: Is that the original paint?
A: Probably not.  80 year old paint is usually pretty dull and scratched.

Q: You didn't DRIVE that thing here, did you?
A: Sure did, and what a pleasure it was.  I cruise at 45 MPH, just watching the fence posts go by.  Traffic usually isn't a problem; people usually show some grace around an old car.

Q: How much is it worth?
A: Model A values range between $5,000 and $75,000, depending upon the rarity, quality of restoration, and originality of parts.  But you can still get a running car for $7,000, and restore it yourself.

Q: Does it overheat in the summer?
A: Yeah, sometimes.  The Model A only has a three gallon circulation system.  It also has a two-blade fan driven by a pulley and belt -- not electric like modern cars.  Original radiators can become plugged with 80 year old rust and sediment, thus blocking coolant flow.  It's best to flush them yearly.

Q: Where do you get tires for that?
A: Firestone, Goodyear, and several other manufactures still make them.  Bert's stocks them.  Costs range from $150 - $200 per tire.  1928 and 1929 cars took 21" tires.  1930 and 1931 cars dropped down to 19" tires.

Q: Is it good in the snow?
A: Ahh, no.  Model A tires are about the size of a motorcycle tire.  That means you only get about 5 square inches of footprint per tire.  And there's no anti-lock brakes.

Q: Do you have to crank start it?
A: No, there's a starter.  The electrical system runs on 6V DC.  It's a positive ground system, meaning that the positive post of the 6V battery is connected to the car frame.  To start the car, just turn on the ignition and push a button on the floorboard.

Q: How many Model A's were made?
A: About 4 million, with 40 different body styles (see chart).  And all over a four-year period!  About 250,000 are on the road today.  That's about 6 1/4 percent, but still lots more than Chevy, Nash, or Buick.

Q: What kind of spark plugs does it take?
A: They're a little bigger than modern plugs, but basically the same.  Set gap to .030 - .035.

Q: Does it have a radio?
A: Nope.  And no CD player, MP3 player, or GPS.  Gosh, how could you have any fun in a car like that?  J

Test your knowledge of the Model A Ford!