I ran across this article and found interesting how involved it was to operate a Model T. Not user friendly at all. Come to think of it those owners were probably late to work more than once.
.
.
.
.
-
-
I guess they didn't have a consumer advisory boards. I've never driven a
manual car. I'm not very coordinated. I would definitely have an accident in
that thing. -
I'm going to disagree with the pic for starting instruction 3. I was told to always tuck my thumb in next to the fingers in case of kickback.Bob
Bad decisions make good stories.Comment
-
While automobile control locations and operation are much more standard now than they were, even 40 years ago... There are still a wide variety of variables that makes getting into, and operating an unfamiliar vehicle a learning experience...
Gone are the pushbutton automatics (Thank God for that!) in its place are auto sticks that don't follow any real standard formatting...
Gone are column or floor shift manual transmissions. If you get a manual, the shift lever is on the floor. This is a good thing. Anyone ever driven a 3 on the tree? No fun.
HVAC, lighting, wiper etc... control locations vary from car to car, and sometimes from submodel or option packages.... For example, I have an '04 F150 XLT 4x4 with the bench seat option. My transmission shift lever is on the column, my transfer case shift is a manual / mechanical lever on the floor A neighbor has the same truck, but in FX-4 trim with a flow through center console. His transmission shift lever is on the console, and the transfer case shift is an electronic actuator knob on the dash board.
Now going from the truck to my 01 Saturn SL2, the headlight / fog light controls on the truck are on the left of the dash, in a push / pull rotary knob. The push / pull operates fogs, the rotary function operates the headlights, including the "Auto" setting. In the Saturn the headlight switch is at the end of the turn signal stalk, and the fog light switch is a button on the dash board by the stereo.
Oh well, at least there are no surprises where to find the accelerator or brake controls.Please like and subscribe to my YouTube channel. Please check out and subscribe to my Workshop Blog.Comment
-
and you never wrapped your thumb around the steering wheel, the spokes would take the thumb off when it went flying around after hitting a chuck hole.
Did you ever teach your girl friend to shift for you because your right arm was wrapped around her? That made it kind of fun!
Bill, on the Sunny Oregon CoastComment
-
With our other post about driver skill, these old cars took skill just to get them started!
I love the eccentricities of old cars, new cars are all the same.
I like this video of what it takes to operate a White steam car
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/cars/W...er_shell.shtmlOpportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas EdisonComment
-
Crank starts are not that hard if they are tuned properly, just never hook your thumb over the crank. Three on the tree is as easy to drive as anything else. You just have to practise a little. The older trucks used to have a 5 speed tranny, a 4 speed brownie, and a 2 speed rearend. With a little practise you could drive them without using the clutch except to start or stop.Comment
-
That's pretty intresting. I'd like to see something like that for a Stanley Steamer.
Being able to adjust the timing on the fly is cool. Probably had a lot to do with the quality and consistancy of the fuel.ErikComment
-
I'm a wimp when it comes to cars. I believe in ease of use. I do miss my old Saab 900 with the ignition switch between the seats however...Jeff
“Doctors are men who prescribe medicines of which they know little, to cure diseases of which they know less, in human beings of whom they know nothing”--VoltaireComment
-
Leno's got a couple of those too
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/...html?cat=30507Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas EdisonComment
Comment