How to Start a Model A on a Cold Morning – I Found the Instruction Book!

For the last month, outdoor temperatures in the mornings here in Sequim, Washington were well below freezing. I had not started or driven my 1931 Ford Model A pickup since this cold snap. But on this morning, an installation technician from Olympic Garage Door was coming out at 9 a.m. to replace our garage door opener, which had burned out several days earlier. I had about an hour and a half to manually open our garage door, start the Model A and drive it out of the garage.

Last month, when I was talking with my 95-year-old father, the previous owner of my Model A on the phone, I asked him for some tips on how to start and shift the truck on cold days. My dad said that he really had no suggestions because he had owned it for so long, it was second nature to him. Then he asked me if I had looked at the owner’s manual. I was not aware that he had included the owner’s manual in the boxes of books, magazines and other items that he gave me along with his Model A. My dad said he thought it he put it in the pocket of a blue folder. I found it! The Model “A” Instruction Book! This book is full of useful information and instructions for the operation and servicing of the Model A. I regret that I hadn’t found this Instruction Book earlier.