Alaska Tour P3

The months of preparation for this tour really began when we first purchased our 1931 Victoria “Coupe” (That is what it is “officially” called -- a coupe -- even though it seats four inside its slightly shortened body.) We acquired it in 2000 to take it on the first Model A Touring Club Tour -- to Europe in 2001. We did all the things that we “non-purists” do to make the car more amenable to touring; overhauled engine with pressurized oil, inserted mains and rod bearings, Mitchell transmission and overdrive, modern shocks, 12-volt alternator and negatively grounded battery system, halogen headlights and a few other little things like a CB radio, etc.

On that tour, we discovered that using traditional luggage was difficult and that the limited space in the back made it hard to pack. In 2003, we, with Joan & Dennis Olson, did a 74-day, 13,000 mile tour around the USA’s perimeter. Preparing for that, we removed the back seats, built a flat deck to stack plastic “tubs” on. Since then this has been our mode of packing. It was thus for the Alaska trip, as you can see from the accompanying photos. For this tour, we eliminated the one large tub on the right and replaced it with a rolling suitcase to contain our clothing while we are on the Ferry to and from Alaska. There is space under the deck for small parts and tools. We also have a standard car trunk on the rear, behind the spare tire.

The club has two tow hitches and collapsible tow bars. I have installed one of these on the rear of the car so that we are able to tow a disabled Model A short distances to a repair facility should the need arise. For this trip, I decided that I would install an auxiliary gasoline tank. We felt that there were places where extra gasoline might be needed, or at least having it would be less worrisome. The tank, installed under the “Bustle” of the Victoria, holds 12 gallons and is selected by an electrically operated valve.

This tour was planned mostly by Lee Chase, who is great in the Touring Department. It is because of Lee that we have this club. However, Lee wanted to drive his Model T Ford in Alaska, so he made it an “A & T” Tour. I was signed on as Assistant Tour Coordinator and will be responsible for the activities of the “A Contingent” of the tour and Lee will be with the T’s. My contributions have been to design and procure the Tour License Plates and Patches, shown below.

This is how it looked when loaded with all the small stuff. It was in this configuration when delivered to the trucking warehouse on 6 July.