nsxt2000
09-17-2007, 09:40 PM
http://www.internetcp.com/gallery/data/500/Separated_By_70_Years.JPG
The lovely old car on the left is my wife’s 1930 Model A Ford. It has been in the family since the late 1980’s when her father purchased it. He was a big fan of the old cars, especially Fords, and owned several over the years. When he passed away in 1996 there was a brief discussion of selling it, but to her credit, my wife would have none of that. Now it’s a family heirloom. We have photos of her Dad at the wheel always wearing his “Jackie Stewart” style hat, complete with a “’30 Ford” lapel pin affixed to the brim. According to the history of the car, at one time it was used for mail runs in South Georgia. I guess the mail pouch was kept on the passenger seat and packages in the rumble seat.
Now going 70 years forward, on the right we have my 2000 NSX-T. This is my fourth NSX. After having owned U.S., British and Italian sports cars I fell in love with the NSX when it debuted in 1991. The combination of build quality, performance and value was just too complete of a package to pass up.
While the world in general has greatly changed from 1930 to 2000, the automotive world made a complete transformation. It is true that the Model A was not in a class with the Cord’s and Dusenberg’s of the day, but it offered an opportunity for the common man to have affordable, reliable transportation. Come to think of it that is what Mr. Soichiro Honda did.
There were various renditions of the Model A over it’s lifespan of 1927 to 1931 and specifications vary slightly. However as a general guide here are some of its features:
Engine
Cast Iron 4 Cylinder / 201 C.U.
Power: 24+ HP
Performance
0-60: Never
Quarter Mile: Depends if going down hill or up hill
Suspension
Leaf spring + other assorted things
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 108”
Length: 158” / Height: 68”
Weight: 2212 lbs.
Drivetrain
Rear wheel drive
Transmission: 3 speed sliding gear type
Brakes
Drum type
Tires
Nylon bias / 19”
Comparison thoughts between the Model A and the NSX:
While my targa top removes for sunshine, the Model A has a rumble seat with even more.
The “A” can be crank started by hand and that is difficult with the NSX. Of course how many times does an NSX ever fail to start electronically?
Although the “A” has no A/C, the front windscreen opens for ventilation.
The “A” was available in several colors unlike the Model T, which you could get any color as long as it was black. I don’t think Imola Orange or Silverstone were among the choices.
Prices ranged from $385 to $570 for the “A”. Several options offered including an external sun visor (which ours has), rear luggage rack, rear view mirror, and spare tire lock. On the early run the bumper was optional for $15.00. The DOT would have had a time with that one! The NSX ran just slightly more expensive – but it does come with bumpers included.
Steel forged connecting rods since the good Mr. Ford had no access to titanium.
I guess 19” wheels were ahead of its time since that is what is on my wife’s MDX.
The single wiper works intermittently off the engine vacuum. I assume it was only necessary for the driver to see where he was going in a rainstorm.
A three cell six volt battery supplies the juice so you might say our twelve volt systems of today are twice as good. I think my 1955 Austin Healey had a six volt system if I remember correctly. We once were stranded…well we were stranded many more times than once, but this particular time it was due to a battery malfunction. With only access to a 12 volt battery my friend drove a nail at midway point and we hooked it up there to cut off at six volts. Believe it or not, but it worked!
The steering wheel on the “A” is the size of a large trash can top and required a bit of muscle power to turn. The ’91 and ’92 NSX’s had no power steering either come to think of it. Turning radius is 34’ and I doubt if you are pulling any G’s when doing it.
Over the run Ford managed to crank out 4,320,446 Model A’s in assorted configurations. That eclipses the NSX production by several million. I tried to find the final count for NSX’s produced but no luck. Several sites have numbers for early and middle years, but none for the final phase. If anyone happens to know that would make an interesting post.
It is truly amazing just how far automobiles have evolved in 70 years. There have been so many advances in materials, safety, comfort, aerodynamics and every other aspect of motoring pleasure it is mind boggling. We take all of these improvements for granted and complain that our vehicle doesn’t have enough cup holders. (I know the early NSX’s had no cup holder either, but I didn’t complain).
One can only wonder what transformations will transpire in the next 70 years???
Mike S.
The lovely old car on the left is my wife’s 1930 Model A Ford. It has been in the family since the late 1980’s when her father purchased it. He was a big fan of the old cars, especially Fords, and owned several over the years. When he passed away in 1996 there was a brief discussion of selling it, but to her credit, my wife would have none of that. Now it’s a family heirloom. We have photos of her Dad at the wheel always wearing his “Jackie Stewart” style hat, complete with a “’30 Ford” lapel pin affixed to the brim. According to the history of the car, at one time it was used for mail runs in South Georgia. I guess the mail pouch was kept on the passenger seat and packages in the rumble seat.
Now going 70 years forward, on the right we have my 2000 NSX-T. This is my fourth NSX. After having owned U.S., British and Italian sports cars I fell in love with the NSX when it debuted in 1991. The combination of build quality, performance and value was just too complete of a package to pass up.
While the world in general has greatly changed from 1930 to 2000, the automotive world made a complete transformation. It is true that the Model A was not in a class with the Cord’s and Dusenberg’s of the day, but it offered an opportunity for the common man to have affordable, reliable transportation. Come to think of it that is what Mr. Soichiro Honda did.
There were various renditions of the Model A over it’s lifespan of 1927 to 1931 and specifications vary slightly. However as a general guide here are some of its features:
Engine
Cast Iron 4 Cylinder / 201 C.U.
Power: 24+ HP
Performance
0-60: Never
Quarter Mile: Depends if going down hill or up hill
Suspension
Leaf spring + other assorted things
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 108”
Length: 158” / Height: 68”
Weight: 2212 lbs.
Drivetrain
Rear wheel drive
Transmission: 3 speed sliding gear type
Brakes
Drum type
Tires
Nylon bias / 19”
Comparison thoughts between the Model A and the NSX:
While my targa top removes for sunshine, the Model A has a rumble seat with even more.
The “A” can be crank started by hand and that is difficult with the NSX. Of course how many times does an NSX ever fail to start electronically?
Although the “A” has no A/C, the front windscreen opens for ventilation.
The “A” was available in several colors unlike the Model T, which you could get any color as long as it was black. I don’t think Imola Orange or Silverstone were among the choices.
Prices ranged from $385 to $570 for the “A”. Several options offered including an external sun visor (which ours has), rear luggage rack, rear view mirror, and spare tire lock. On the early run the bumper was optional for $15.00. The DOT would have had a time with that one! The NSX ran just slightly more expensive – but it does come with bumpers included.
Steel forged connecting rods since the good Mr. Ford had no access to titanium.
I guess 19” wheels were ahead of its time since that is what is on my wife’s MDX.
The single wiper works intermittently off the engine vacuum. I assume it was only necessary for the driver to see where he was going in a rainstorm.
A three cell six volt battery supplies the juice so you might say our twelve volt systems of today are twice as good. I think my 1955 Austin Healey had a six volt system if I remember correctly. We once were stranded…well we were stranded many more times than once, but this particular time it was due to a battery malfunction. With only access to a 12 volt battery my friend drove a nail at midway point and we hooked it up there to cut off at six volts. Believe it or not, but it worked!
The steering wheel on the “A” is the size of a large trash can top and required a bit of muscle power to turn. The ’91 and ’92 NSX’s had no power steering either come to think of it. Turning radius is 34’ and I doubt if you are pulling any G’s when doing it.
Over the run Ford managed to crank out 4,320,446 Model A’s in assorted configurations. That eclipses the NSX production by several million. I tried to find the final count for NSX’s produced but no luck. Several sites have numbers for early and middle years, but none for the final phase. If anyone happens to know that would make an interesting post.
It is truly amazing just how far automobiles have evolved in 70 years. There have been so many advances in materials, safety, comfort, aerodynamics and every other aspect of motoring pleasure it is mind boggling. We take all of these improvements for granted and complain that our vehicle doesn’t have enough cup holders. (I know the early NSX’s had no cup holder either, but I didn’t complain).
One can only wonder what transformations will transpire in the next 70 years???
Mike S.