1928 Ford Model A - Reader Ride

By: Geoff Cuthbert with Guy Allen

Date: 19.01.2018

It may be nearing 90 years of age but this little Ford will tackle anything

Geoff Cuthbert's 1928 Ford Model A

This was my first vintage or classic car, bought way back in 1981 when I was only 18 and it had been given a cosmetic restoration. My father wasn’t a car nut and thought wanting to buy an old car was a waste of money. So I found out how much he spent on cigarettes and saved the same amount over a few years to pay for the Ford. He couldn’t really say much then.

It let me down on the way home – it had a cracked engine block and we fixed it. I was really lucky in that I met a lot of people in the car movement who were happy to help me learn how to fix these cars. I think you get a lot more enjoyment out of them when you can, because you’re not terrified of it breaking down.

This car has done a lot of trips over the years. I went on every possible run when I was young. It’s been to Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia and I’m now based in Tasmania.

I think its record is a 10,000km trip I did for 10 cents. Well, that was the total repair cost. A nut had fallen of an exhaust bracket at the back of the car, so I bought a nut and washer for five cents each. I could have saved five cents as the washer was still there!

One thing I tell people is that if you’re looking at a car of this age, the Model A is a good place to start. They’re reliable, go and stop okay, and you can get everything for them. Really you’ll have just as much fun with one of these as a Rolls-Royce!

(Geoff is tour leader on the Tas Targa Classic Rallye)

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