"A" Final Ride

My father wants to purchase an RV so that he and my mother can travel to Illinois in style.  Actually, "style" may be too strong a word.

In order to accomplish this, he decided to sell his 1931 Model "A" Ford.  He hasn't used it much over the past few years, as he takes his Bantam out instead.  (Perhaps I can persuade him to write about the Bantam in a guest blogger post.)

Well, after several weeks of sitting out in our front yard with a "For Sale" sign on it, the Model "A" now has a buyer.

The purchaser is coming to get it on Thursday, so Dad gave us one final ride tonight.  Dad and Mom sat in the front (Dad driving), and Lew and I climbed into the rumble seat.  We had a really nice ride down through Old Orchard and back.

Dad managed to run two "STOP" signs.  He kind of knew about the first one, but elected to go through it anyway.  The second one, he did not even see.  He claims it was because he was distracted by a dog on the other side of the road.  (Yes, there was a dog.)  However, upon polling all of the passengers in the car, it came out that three of us saw the "STOP" sign.  One didn't.  You already know who that is.

The car doesn't have blinkers, so the driver has to use hand signals for turning.  There are also no seat belts.  Maine does have a seat belt law, but apparently antique automobiles are "grandfathered" in this regard.

Lew and Dad decided that the "grandfather" argument can also apply to "STOP" signs.  If the sign didn't exist when the car was made, then it doesn't have to stop.  "Yes, Mr. Police Officer, I really thought that was the case...."

Fortunately, there were no police officers.

We will miss the Model "A" as it has been in the family for many years.  It was originally purchased by my grandfather (he of porcupine fame).

But it is going to a good home.  A nice couple is buying it.  The husband has always wanted one, and his wife was very supportive of the purchase.  They will use the car, which will bring enjoyment to all of the people that see it....

And that's a really good thing.