How cold do you drive?

Post by **Tom Hicks** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 2:34 am

I drive open cars and find I am comfortable down to 50*F with a heavy coat, gloves, and wool cap. Below that I need a balaclava covering my face. I don't drive below 40* . When I get bundled up to drive below 40* I can't move very well and driving is not fun.

How cold do you drive?

Tiger Tim · Post by **Tiger Tim** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 3:06 am

If it’ll start, I’ll go. Here I am this past January when it was maybe a half dozen degrees below freezing. Any colder than that and the straight SAE 30 I foolishly put in May as well have been cement. This winter I’ll put in a multi grade oil and probably keep it in a heated garage for better results.

Post by **Ruxstel24** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 5:25 am

Wife and I did 45 degrees and rain last year.
I have side curtains and it was comfortable with a light coat.
Too much salt on the road when the snow flies here, so hibernation for a few months.

Autie · Post by **Autie** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 7:11 am

Once drove in minus 10 degrees in December for a Christmas parade. Yup, that is no typo. MINUS 10. I had no top on my touring and I didn't have a trailer, so I had to drive 5 miles into town wrapped in about 5 blankets. The kick in the pants was, everybody that was riding in the parade with me in the T followed behind me in a nice warm car until the parade started. We have another parade coming up soon in late Nov. Hopefully not as cold. Oh, and now I have an enclosed trailer w/a winch!

MrFixer · Post by **MrFixer** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 11:52 am

My coldest was -15*F and it was brutal. The antifreeze froze and the engine started to blow steam as the radiator tubes started to get blocked with ice.
I started it in a heated garage and drove it in high gear on the highway for about 1 mile, then it started to steam. It limped back home without hesitation. The radiator and engine were fine after it thawed out in the garage.
My 3 year old rode with me and liked watching the steam blow out. He likes anything model T, even running out of gas, messing up the carb mixture, flat tires and frozen radiators. He never complains when were on the side of the road getting it running again.

We were dressed for it and I removed the front floor board to let heat flow towards us.
I taped a piece of cardboard to the upper 2/3rd of the radiator the next day and it ran without freezing up in 0*F temps. The mercury on my Motometer never made it anywhere near the normal low mark.

Post by **Steve Jelf** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 12:04 pm

I am a confirmed cold weather sissy. A genetic defect causes cold air to turn my nose into a snot fountain, a most disagreeable inconvenience. Fortunately I live far enough south to get some decent Model T driving weather several times during the winter, and snow is rare enough and light enough that the roads are not constantly infested by salt. I enjoy visiting the northern states when they're thawed out, but wouldn't care to endure their winters.

I like snow that comes two or three time a year for some nice pictures and is soon gone.

Mark Gregush · Post by **Mark Gregush** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 12:18 pm

I have driven in maybe the 20's in the snow with chains on Nellybell. The photos are on a computer I can't access. Not a long trip but it was fun, esp being about the only car on the road. Ya I have done the 30W thing too! LOL Even in only the low 30's, she's a bit on the stiff side to crank by hand, the starter was not much better but it started.
I am sure at some point Keith T will post some photos of his car in the snow. He lives east of me closer to the Columbia river gorge, colder over there and it's not that many miles from me. I have a hat like Tim's, it's rabbit fur, but sure keeps the back of neck and ears warm.

Scottio · Post by **Scottio** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 1:33 pm

Driving an open car I use the same rule as I do with my motorcycle. There is a direct correlation between my age and the minimum temperature that I will ride in. When I was younger I would ride year round but as I get older I don’t handle the cold as well as I used to.

Post by **Novice** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 2:11 pm

Tom. This winter You will have Your soon to be delivered 26 sedan to putt around in. But You might want to install a Hot Air pipe for faster warm up on Your winter drives.

jachady · Post by **jachady** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 3:12 pm

I'm glad I got lots of glass!

Rich Bingham · Post by **Rich Bingham** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 3:17 pm

How cold do you drive ? If your core temperature drops below 95F, you're hypothermic. Don't do that.

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 3:18 pm

I depends alot on what mood the wife is in !

Post by **RustyFords** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 3:28 pm

Living in Southeast Texas makes this an issue that I don't really have to deal with.

However, the next time we get that rare snow, you can bet I'll have the T out in it to get some photos.

Hippie · Post by **Hippie** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 5:45 pm

I’ve went out once with my wife, it was -18 celcius, it was February 4/2017 in Edmonton, I had to wear a heavy parka. She won’t do that again, lol
I’m not sure why the pictures is upside down

Gil Fitzhugh · Post by **Gil Fitzhugh** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 7:07 pm

Sorry, this isn’t a T picture. I go to a group called Cars and Croissants. It’s like a Cars and Coffee, but when it started, it met at a place with a French bakery. It’s long outgrown that meeting place. but the name has stuck. Since there’d been no snow, hence no salt on the roads, the group decided to meet on New Year’s Day, 2016. I got up at 0-Dark-30 and put on thermal underwear, full cross-country ski gear and a snowmobile suit. I set fire to the Stanley in the appropriate places and set off for C&C. The temperature was 28F, and I had a hell of a time trying to maintain more than 300 pounds of steam pressure because I was losing so much heat. I’ve decided to adopt the Latin title of the magazine of the Veteran Car Club of Victoria, Australia, as my personal motto: Dementia Prodest. It means Madness is Useful.

babychadwick · Post by **babychadwick** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 9:31 pm

Week trip into Yosemite for Christmas, I'll let you do the math. We drove the speedster in and drove it out. Navy pea coat, gauntlets, and a fur coat on top. There was frost on the tires every morning when we started. One busted freeze plug we patched with a nickle on the side of the road. Our luggage was tied onto the tail and we did go in and out via old priest grade!

Tim Williams · Post by **Tim Williams** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 9:37 pm

I drove my speedster once when it was 22 degrees out with some ice on the ground. needless to say never saw any red in the motometer

Tim

Gene_French · Post by **Gene_French** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 9:41 pm

Drove the 1917 Dodge Bros. touring at -19 F. … New Years Eve tour … always an optimist ...Gene French

Post by **StanHowe** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 9:44 pm

I LOVED my 27 Coupe! It would easily start at 10 above and the exhaust manifold heater threw more heat than most people would believe. It was fun to go drive in the snow.

So now that I have another 27 coupe after years of open cars I bought a manifold heater for it and will put pants on the pedals and go driving in the snow in Montana.

John Steele has a 22 coupe that is toasty!

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 9:50 pm

That is why I got the 24 coupe. The money I would have spent on side cutians for my roadster can get to coupe road ready. Its my cold weather car.

Mark Osterman · Post by **Mark Osterman** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 10:22 pm

I drive my runabout all year round. I don’t mind the cold but I hate the salt. A model T is not so good in snow or ice without chains. So I only drive it before we have snow in the beginning of the winter season or on occasion after snow has melted and rain has washed the streets enough that the salt is gone. Here I am on New Years Day 2017. It was four degrees and I got out on new snow before the salt truck. Note the winterfront on the radiator.

Post by **KWTownsend** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 10:44 pm

Like Mark said, I love to drive in the snow. It seems like we only get one or two good snow storms every couple of years here in the Greater Portland Orygun area. Usually when we get snow, it warms up right away and is gone within a day. I think the coldest I've driven is in the high 20's. I have a small heat register in the top floorboard that is positioned right over the exhaust pipe. I can open the vent on cold days to let in a little heat. With the side curtains on, it is kind of like putting a heater in a tent!

Here is the same set of chains on different cars at different times:

Oh, and here is one more from about 40 years ago, when I first modified a set of chains to fit the Model T and made some skis. I used a regular hub for the skis which rotated on the spindle and unfortunately were not successful.

Oh, what fun it is to ride...

: ^ )

kelly mt · Post by **kelly mt** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 11:23 pm

I take my T's out all winter but I wait for the roads to freeze tight. No salt on the county roads. It's usually in the 20's when I drive so it's pretty nice.

Post by **Graybeard77** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 3:51 am

I keep Lulubell in the trailer. If it will start I drive it. I started last winter at 14 degrees, it is on 6volt. Being enclosed makes it warmer. My granddaughter likes to be picked up at school a lot in the “T”. She wanted me to pick her up in the roadster last spring on a cold day, grandpa said it was to cold, but not for her. Have a good day. Clyde

Post by **Gonenorth** » Wed Oct 23, 2019 7:04 am

Coldest drive yet:43 degrees. Not much fun. The biggest challenge up here isn't necessarily the cold, its road salt. Not willing to subject my T to that so it goes into storage in late October and doesn't emerge until late April.

Post by **Novice** » Thu Oct 24, 2019 2:07 am

For the die hard winter drivers. You might try what the Motorcycle Cops use. heated socks, gloves,pants,vest. Goggle heated clothing. most run off a lithium battery good for 10 hours between charge or run off 12 volt car battery.

Post by **Duey_C** » Thu Oct 24, 2019 2:08 am

A beautiful winter's eve in December not so very long ago, son and I hauled a big battery out to his fish house on the lake with 2 or 3 feet of ice out there. Fished for awhile, caught nothing so I headed inland. 24 degrees above. Goll, it was nice out.

Post by **Rich Eagle** » Thu Oct 24, 2019 8:56 am

Joy and I drove the T a few times each month when it was our only running model T some mornings were in the minus 20s. I have told the story of the day it was the only car that would start so we bundled up our baby and took him to the babysitter's and then drove to work. If the engine turns over it usually will start. Now we have the luxury of closed Ts.

Post by **Loftfield** » Fri Oct 25, 2019 2:16 pm

In 1968 when I was 22 (and yet immortal) I drove a 1915 Roadster, no side curtains, from Cleveland, Ohio, to Williamsburg, Virginia, in early January. No idea how cold it was, but one overnight in Pennsylvania it was jack up the rear wheel to crank it in the snow the next morning. I can attest that it was much nicer at the Virginia end than in the Ohio and Pennsylvania end. The question might really be not the temperature, but the distance driven at that temperature.

Post by **Tom Hicks** » Fri Oct 25, 2019 4:25 pm

Loftfield wrote: ↑
Fri Oct 25, 2019 2:16 pm
In 1968 when I was 22 (and yet immortal) I drove a 1915 Roadster, no side curtains, from Cleveland, Ohio, to Williamsburg, Virginia, in early January. No idea how cold it was, but one overnight in Pennsylvania it was jack up the rear wheel to crank it in the snow the next morning. I can attest that it was much nicer at the Virginia end than in the Ohio and Pennsylvania end. The question might really be not the temperature, but the distance driven at that temperature.

Yeah, that is what I meant, how cold do you normally drive. But I worded it poorly. However, I have found the temperatures and exceptions interesting. Some test both man and machine! Ice fishing??? And I don't think those sno-car guys have a lower limit. That is something that sounds like real fun!

Cleveland to Bill'sburg in midwinter... ???? Whew.

I normally drive down to 40*F, that's about five miles each way to the gym or WalMart or whatever. I guess I could do a short hop at 10* which we occasionally get, but I feel it would be hard on my car and definitely hard on me.

It is 54* out now, I prefer driving at 70*, but now I just put on a coat and hat. Below 50* is balaclava time.

Post by **BHarper** » Fri Oct 25, 2019 10:34 pm

Here in New England and, I suppose, other northern climes, the last organized tour of the season is called The Frostbite Tour as the day may begin with the temperature in the low to mid thirties. The day may warm into the forties or even the fifties. There have been a few balmy tours resulting in the shedding of multiple layers of jackets and sweaters.

Most folks do "put up" their cars for the winter and work diligently at staving off Cabin Fever until Spring arrives with warm touring weather.

I have been known to take my cars out during the cold and snowy months. I do not drive them when the roads are white with salt.

If you are going to drive farther than around the neighborhood or across town you really must have the proper clothing, starting with long johns, several pairs of socks, heavy pants, several flannel shirts, sweater(s), heavy coat, hat which covers your ears, good gloves and warm footwear.
The other needed item of paramount importance is a car in which you have complete confidence. A roadside repair on a summer tour may be an inconvenience and can add to the "early motoring" experience. A roadside repair on a winter day at 22 degrees and with a 25 MPH wind will be an "early motoring" experience of a different sort.

The very coldest that I have had one of my cars out was a New Year's Eve run into town to Ring In the New Year with The Old Car. It was 4 degrees above zero and the coupe did take a bit more coaxing than needed in July but it did start without jacking up a wheel.

This picture I took many Februarys ago on my way to work from Keene to Winchendon, Ma. The round trip is about 46 miles.This is just outside Troy, NH.

My '14 Touring is a stemwinder only and I have started it in temps as low as 10 above. These pictures I took at a Snowmobile meet in New London, NH, about a 100 mile round trip.

: New London 2009 Dsc06632.jpg (40.94 KiB) Viewed 3808 times

Another Snowmobile Meet with my Touring was to Moultonboro, NH and that round trip was about 185.

: 2009 Meredith my Touring car 001.jpg (38.21 KiB) Viewed 3808 times

Post by **BHarper** » Fri Oct 25, 2019 11:00 pm

Here are a few additional pictures to offer encouragement for you Intrepid Motorists.

This is just a few miles from my home.

A trip to the annual Ice Harvest at Musterfield Farm in North Sutton, NH was a 115 mile round trip.

The Snowmobile Meet in Tamworth, NH resulted in an additional 225 miles on my Runabout. The bear coat is a real blessing as it is warm and windproof. There is little reason to put up the top as it is not going to retain any heat without side curtains, which I don't have for this car.

I feel a need to drive the cars year 'round to get my money's worth out of them. The time spent behind the wheel is also, for me, a "therapy session."
I realize that cold weather driving of a very old car is not for everyone. If your car is in good condition and you dress properly it can be a real hoot. As you motor along the looks from the Muggles as they pass you in their warm, enclosed dull-mobiles is Priceless. When you arrive anywhere and are asked "Did you drive that here?" you can answer "Well, had to. It is too hard to push and steer at the same time."

John Codman · Post by **John Codman** » Sat Oct 26, 2019 9:52 am

Due to salt, I would put my T away for the wintah when I lived in Massachusetts. The T was the first of three cars to go into the barn each winter, and putting it away was a bit of a hassle. I would back it into the barn, jack it up and put plates with wheels under the tires and push it sideways under the staircase to the loft. It fit perfectly, but I would have to move two other cars in order to get it out. Here in sunny SW Florida the low driving temperature is about 60 degrees.

Scott_Conger · Post by **Scott_Conger** » Sat Oct 26, 2019 10:12 am

Bill H

always enjoy seeing your winter driving pix.

John C

Pretty snazzy looking touring you have there!
I store my cars on skates, too
You can stack them up like cord wood and have plenty of room to work on winter projects

Post by **Steve Jelf** » Sat Oct 26, 2019 10:25 am

Another shot during one of our infrequent snow days.

Post by **Rich Eagle** » Sat Oct 26, 2019 2:27 pm

Our Coupe was made for this time of year.

Post by **BHarper** » Sun Oct 27, 2019 12:30 am

A few additional random snow themed pictures.

The following pictures were taken years ago on the first day of spring. The precipitation was somewhere between wet snow and white rain.

I had taken the coupe out to take a few pictures of it near some maple trees which had sap buckets on them. As I was framing the images I heard a distinctive sound approaching. A few minutes of patience, something often necessary in photography, resulted in a rare opportunity.

Drive often and be safe, Bill.

Mark Gregush · Post by **Mark Gregush** » Sun Oct 27, 2019 2:21 am

With a little work;

Post by **Tom Hicks** » Mon Oct 28, 2019 11:24 pm

Snow is beautiful as long as it melts away the next day. I don't know how you guys do the really cold drives. 54* here, I just got back from the gym, not a problem. But when it gets below 50* an open car gets a little chilly for me, and I just can't do below 40* on a regular basis.

Fortunately, even in the dead of winter it usually gets above 40* here in the afternoons. My Model T driving is very weather related and rush hour related. But living in suburbia I have many miles of roads with bike paths, or dual lane with a 45 mph limit, or neighborhood roads parallel to the main road with a speed limit of 25 mph and no traffic. I am within 5 miles of everything from Home Depot and Tractor Supply to Wal Mart, the 24 hour gym, six banks, the post office, many kinds of restaurants, Lowes, Kroger, Food Lion, CVS, WalGreens, O'Rielys, Advance, NAPA, doctors, dentists, and about anything I need. Yet I don't see any other T's on the road. But I do see a lot of people who smile and wave!

rosenkranswa · Post by **rosenkranswa** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 9:59 am

All the cars stay in their little houses once they start to salt the roads here near Valley Forge. Until then I try to drive them with side curtains on the open cars, except the Jeep which doesn't have curtains. Coldest temp for an event was last year for a Veteran's Day car show and a Veteran's Day Military Timeline event the following weekend. Temps were in the low 20's for both events and I drove the '42 Willys in WWII period winter gear - wool uniform, ARC sweater, field coat and Macinaw or tanker jacket, heavy gloves, and Jeep cap. Actually not a bad drive, but the car show in that temp was a bit much with the standing around. The Park Service kindly set a fire in one of the huts at VF so we could all warm up in between groups of visitors arriving.

Same events are coming up soon, but the long-range forecast looks a bit better.

Post by **Rich Eagle** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 12:11 pm

It got down to 1°F last night but was 6°by the time we got out this morning. The Coupe outside would not fire. Cleaning the timer and plugs will help when it gets warm enough. The Tudor started fine inside the garage. We have not acclimated to the cold yet so it is a push to get the Ts out so far.
Breakfast was delightful.
Rich

Post by **Ruxstel24** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 12:40 pm

Tom Hicks, your new sedan should give you year round T driving in VA now !!

jachady · Post by **jachady** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 2:39 pm

Had a cold nose this morning

Post by **Tom Hicks** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 4:25 pm

Ruxstel24 wrote: ↑
Tue Oct 29, 2019 12:40 pm
Tom Hicks, your new sedan should give you year round T driving in VA now !!

I like the way you think! I will have to find a period correct type of heater for it though.

Fordwright · Post by **Fordwright** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 4:33 pm

I remember the old timers talking about running their Model Ts through the cold northern winters. A trick they borrowed from the bush pilots was to keep the engine oil drained and heating on the stove. When it was time to go driving, you poured in the hot oil, and "instant warm engine." The antifreeze was alcohol in those days I believe. Another trick was to carry hot rocks in a basket to keep things warm inside, and hot water bottles were used too. I never heard about mounting skis on the front, but I know it was done.

Post by **Tom Hicks** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 4:43 pm

Fordwright wrote: ↑
Tue Oct 29, 2019 4:33 pm
I remember the old timers talking about running their Model Ts through the cold northern winters. A trick they borrowed from the bush pilots was to keep the engine oil drained and heating on the stove. When it was time to go driving, you poured in the hot oil, and "instant warm engine." The antifreeze was alcohol in those days I believe. Another trick was to carry hot rocks in a basket to keep things warm inside, and hot water bottles were used too. I never heard about mounting skis on the front, but I know it was done.

Welcome to the MTFCA Forum!

Post by **Rich Eagle** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 7:07 pm

I wrote "...6°by the time we got out this morning. The Coupe outside would not fire..."
It is 24° right now. I went out to start the Coupe and it puffed on turning the key. Not quite a free start. It started fine so I let it run to warm up and charge the battery a little. I suspect cold oil and a little moisture in the timer was the only difference since the 6°try earlier. That is the difference in 18 degrees of temperature. It should start fine Thursday morning at a predicted 14°.
FWIW

Marty Bufalini · Post by **Marty Bufalini** » Wed Oct 30, 2019 6:50 pm

I don't know how cold it was but it was a blizzard.

We did a modified engine rebuild on my 1923 American LaFrance Brockway Torpedo fire engine the previous summer. My idiot friend, Jerry Van, called me and thought it would be great idea to take it out during the snow storm. I thought he was (and is) nuts but he talked me into it. Jerry was a big help rebuilding the engine.

So, my kids and I bundled up, got it started and picked up Jerry. Then we started to drive around neighborhood residential streets, laughing our fool heads off, cranking the siren and ringing the bell

A lot people were out shoveling the snow, blowing the snow or, just playing in it. They couldn't believe their eyes!! The looks we got ranged from, "are they nuts?" (we are) to laughter.

Of course, during our ride the snow turned to freezing rain!

We headed back to my house and took off our coats, gloves, etc. which were so frozen, the stood on their own!

We made some cocoa and warmed up with more laughter at our silly adventure.

Post by **BHarper** » Wed Oct 30, 2019 10:09 pm

Marty, I just love that story.
It will live on for decades and grow better with each retelling. Bravo!!

Post by **FreighTer Jim** » Wed Oct 30, 2019 10:36 pm

Mr. Harper,

I am sitting watching Game 7 of the World Series
In the 7th Inning at a sports bar - having a Budweiser draft or two - checking the forum and saw your Dapper Dan photo.

Washington just got two home runs
to tie it up 2-2 ....

Life Is Good ...

FJ

Post by **Bob McDaniel** » Thu Oct 31, 2019 11:57 pm

Marty Bufalini wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 30, 2019 6:50 pm
I don't know how cold it was but it was a blizzard.

We did a modified engine rebuild on my 1923 American LaFrance Brockway Torpedo fire engine the previous summer. My idiot friend, Jerry Van, called me and thought it would be great idea to take it out during the snow storm. I thought he was (and is) nuts but he talked me into it. Jerry was a big help rebuilding the engine.

Marty,

Is that a Model OX Hercules engine in that firetruck?

Mark Gregush · Post by **Mark Gregush** » Fri Nov 01, 2019 12:37 am

Took Nelly-Bell for short drive this AM was about 30 when I left. Only a 3-1/2 mile drive to the shop, so not bad.

Even after warming her up, had to shut her off so I could shift the Warford into gear. Still has the 30W oil in the engine. Need to readjust the transmission brake (use it to stop the output shaft from spinning), been having the Warford shifting issue when cold even in the summer, but with the cold weather a little more so. I am running 600W in the Warford, you would think that would slow it down some! LOL

Marty Bufalini · Post by **Marty Bufalini** » Fri Nov 01, 2019 3:53 pm

Bill, thanks. We still laugh about it and can't believe how stupid were!!

Bob, no, the engine is an overhead valve big 'ol four cylinder Wisconsin engine.

Fordwright · Post by **Fordwright** » Fri Nov 01, 2019 6:11 pm

On the right-hand side of the Model T, the exhaust pipes were very near the floorboards, and tended to make things very warm after a few miles of driving.

Post by **Tom Hicks** » Sun Nov 03, 2019 6:58 am

We are supposed to get down to 32* early tomorrow morning. I will be sleeping in...

Joe Reid · Post by **Joe Reid** » Mon Nov 04, 2019 1:22 am

Had two out today, had to move the roadster to get a touring car out for a short ride. Pretty cloudy and 35. Always sit in the front seat, plenty of warm air off the engine via the pedal slots. The others were fine. They wore coats, it is November in Central Wisconsin.

Fordwright · Post by **Fordwright** » Tue May 26, 2020 12:27 pm

Old trick from the great white north, used by bush pilots and Model T drivers alike:
In cold weather, drain the crankcase oil while it's still hot. Bring it into the shack, and when you want to go out again, but the pot of engine oil on the stove until it's good and hot. Pour the hot oil back into the engine, wait a few minutes, and zum-zum, it starts right up easily.

Post by **Dallas Landers** » Tue May 26, 2020 2:22 pm

Living in the Michigans UP as a kid, I watched my dad put an ashpan full of hot coals from the wood stove under the oilpan more than once to get the car started.

Fordwright · Post by **Fordwright** » Tue May 26, 2020 2:30 pm

Back in the cold old days, farmers used to light a wood fire under the tractor to warm it up. No wires to burn, nothing to damage.

Post by **CudaMan** » Tue May 26, 2020 3:31 pm

I have driven mine with the temperature in the teens as long as the roads are clear. I do use side curtains and I have a rudimentary home made exhaust shroud heater. It isn't very powerful, but it's better than nothing and shows that I at least tried.

Post by **Dennis Prince** » Tue May 26, 2020 3:55 pm

I have driven mine in a Christmas Parade at -13 degrees, I even got a special award for being the only idiot in an old car in the parade. The ones that I felt bad for was the marching band.

Post by **Oldav8tor** » Tue May 26, 2020 7:59 pm

I'll drive my open touring in the mid-40's if it isn't too windy. What I won't do is drive it after they start salting the roads.

Fordwright · Post by **Fordwright** » Wed May 27, 2020 10:58 am

Oldav8tor wrote: ↑
Tue May 26, 2020 7:59 pm
I'll drive my open touring in the mid-40's if it isn't too windy. What I won't do is drive it after they start salting the roads.

I used to sell ammonium sulfate years ago. One day a man from the highways department came and told me that they used it on the roads because it melted ice a lot better than regular rock salt. It also happened to turn into sulfuric acid, so that probably accounts for the awful amount of rusting on cars back in those days.

paddy1998 · Post by **paddy1998** » Wed May 27, 2020 12:19 pm

I'll drive my touring in the upper 30's at the end of February/ beginning of March because I'm chomping at the bit and am willing to go through the trouble of jacking up the rear end to get it started. In November I am less motivated.

I've found that as long as I have my upper body covered well in the cold I can get away with bermuda shorts and sandals down below; that engine throws plenty of heat to keep my tootsies toasty.

paddy1998 · Post by **paddy1998** » Wed May 27, 2020 12:23 pm

paddy1998 wrote: ↑
Wed May 27, 2020 12:19 pm
I'll drive my touring in the upper 30's at the end of February/ beginning of March because I'm chomping at the bit and am willing to go through the trouble of jacking up the rear end to get it started. In November I am less motivated.

I've found that as long as I have my upper body covered well in the cold I can get away with bermuda shorts and sandals down below; that engine throws plenty of heat to keep my tootsies toasty.

Of course, I used to ride my motorcycle down into the mid 30's well covered in leather from head to toe, so I might be a weirdo.

In any event, my leather tunic and chaps might look ridiculous toddling around town in my T.

Post by **Will_Vanderburg** » Wed May 27, 2020 1:02 pm

I drove in December in the rain. Blew the muffler cover off, and had it hanging.

Fordwright · Post by **Fordwright** » Wed May 27, 2020 2:37 pm

My mother talked about riding in the Model T with a number of hot water bottles, just as they did before on the sleigh.

Fordwright · Post by **Fordwright** » Wed May 27, 2020 2:38 pm

paddy1998 wrote: ↑
Wed May 27, 2020 12:23 pm

paddy1998 wrote: ↑
Wed May 27, 2020 12:19 pm
I'll drive my touring in the upper 30's at the end of February/ beginning of March because I'm chomping at the bit and am willing to go through the trouble of jacking up the rear end to get it started. In November I am less motivated.

I've found that as long as I have my upper body covered well in the cold I can get away with bermuda shorts and sandals down below; that engine throws plenty of heat to keep my tootsies toasty.
Of course, I used to ride my motorcycle down into the mid 30's well covered in leather from head to toe, so I might be a weirdo.

In any event, my leather tunic and chaps might look ridiculous toddling around town in my T.

I tried riding in cold weather. No matter what you're wearing, it takes all the joy out of it for me.

HornsRus · Post by **HornsRus** » Wed May 27, 2020 2:45 pm

1972 the only thing that would run was the old 47 indian,had to take the wife to work 4 miles at 5 degs in the snow.charley

Stephen_heatherly · Post by **Stephen_heatherly** » Fri May 29, 2020 8:56 pm

I took an hour long drive once in my coupe when it was 12 degrees outside. It wasn't pleasant, but not horrible either.

Stephen