Death of the Model T Hobby?

[Professor Fate]

Is the model t hobby on the wane and contracting???

Reduced swap meet dates
Parts unavailability
Parts discontinued
Parts Cost Increasing
Vendors closing down
Vendors consolidating
No interest by young people

[Been Here Before]

Reduced swap meet dates: This could be the result of the pandemic and the cost of traveling. A variable trend.


Parts unavailability: Cost of doing business over seas. Loss of tool and die makers producing local parts. Loss of skills to produce parts.


Parts discontinued: Supply and demand. Be innovative and learn to fit square pegs into round holes.


Parts Cost Increasing: Every thing has increased in price. What you could purchase with a dollar in 1960 now cost x times more today.


Vendors closing down: Price of doing business.


Vendors consolidating: Price of doing business.


No interest by young people: You have to admit the Model T is complex for such a simple machine, judging from the forum's QA on carburetors, coils and ignition, cooling and lubrication questions.

Most folks want a car that they grew up with...not many on the forum are from the 1940-1950's now.

[TXGOAT2]

I'm interested in a wide variety of cars, trucks, tractors, and other machinery. I've always been especially attracted to cars and motorcycles made well before I was born.

[FATMAN]

In my case, selling the business was due to heath reasons, also I have had alot of younger customers taking their parents and grandparents cars and getting them mechanically safe but leaving them mostly original, we had quite a few folks in their 20's and 30's getting into them, Bob

[Brian D]

Bob,
I think you correct. I see a lot of new people getting into the hobby from young to those empty nesters finally getting their cars out of the garage and buying new ones.
I think the hobby is going thru a transition. Those of us that have been in the hobby just need to help these guys.
Cars are not being scrapped, there being resold, new owners are out there.
Consolidation of vendors does seem to be a problem as they can't keep up with the products they have leaving us without.
Brian

[Steve Jelf]

Parts becoming unavailable often seems to be due to the supplier moving to the cemetery with nobody ready to carry on the business.

[JvanMaanen]

I recently won best of show in the San Juan Island Concourse. Albeit not really deserved, a small show, and while car is correct, although not paint correct, it does show interest in the early cars. There were a large variety of cars in this show, some high end restoration. I had lots of interest in the 22 coupe, which this year was the oldest car entered. Many parents were amazed that I would allow their children to sit in the car and have their pictures taken while pretending to drive. It was not a venue where I could offer rides, but did give people my contact info if they wanted a ride or had questions.

Probably the biggest thing we face is the increasing speed limits and access to routes that are safe for us and modern cars we share the road with. Steve would know more about how you do that. Even on this small Island with very few places with a speed limit above 35mph, I find another car close on my tail. Perhaps they are just curious to see the car, or used to driving freeways where safe spacing is seldom observed.

Jim

[John kuehn]

To me the draw back from antique cars including the most well known the Model T is a safe place to drive and their slower speed.
Yes some get on main roads and highways but most don’t.

A T will become a curiosity unlike the classic era cars which you can still drive fairly safe at most highway speeds in most places.

And then there is parts supply issues and vendors stepping up to build and make parts.

If they can’t make some kind of profit from their business they won’t last long.

Let’s hope the hobby stays alive because it was Ford who made enough to keep the hobby going.

[Professor Fate]

Let’s hope the hobby stays alive because it was Ford who made enough to keep the hobby going.

I am hoping for and feeling the same. I am always ready to stay and answer the last question and offer a ride when I'm out with a car.
I've had people come and look at my cars while they sre investigating the hobby. I think we're all doing what we can to keep our T's and the hobby going, despite the obstacles and adversity we're facing now.

The "2035" gas thing is discouraging for those of us that look forward to model T viable operating years extending into the 2040's.

Promote the hobby at every opportunity and keep trading parts and advice. We might just be able to pull this off.

[dinosbunny]

the 2035 gas thing has nothing to do with antique and collectable cars. OMG get real. The fact is, these cars are almost 100 years and older. Most of the good finds have been found, cost of living is not even close to what it was and it is so very expensive to try to build one from the beginning especially if you are a young family. Its all about the money when your dealing with cars. In 20 years you will not find most of these parts or dealers. Most of the restorers have either passed on, retired or about to retire, people do like to enjoy the last years of their lives. There will always be gas and oil for cars.

[Southfork Creek]

The one thing that seems to be true IMHO is that Model Ts, all of them, from a monetary standpoint seem to be worth less and less as each day passes. A lot less. And the decline in value to me even seems worse for parts..... No one (us) is building cars up from parts like we used to. And money makes the world, including hobbies, go round. Value is the barometer of interest, and sustainably.

[MichaelPawelek]

Even with all the government ****ery going on the Model T will survive well into the future but in a different form. I belong to three micro car groups and we are already seeing vintage iron being converted to electric. Used forklift motors are being sought all the time.

[JohnH]

The Model T Hobby seemed to have reached its peak around 10 years ago.
I wouldn't say that it will soon be dead; but will remain as just a very small group of enthusiasts.
The middle aged men who were at the peak of the Model T hobby are now getting on, and a lot are no longer with us. When repro parts availability returns to what it once was, and when there are 20 cars on a club run instead of four, then yes, there's a good future. But there's no sign of that imminent.
It does make me wonder who is buying up all the cars and what they're doing with them - I never see them anymore.
The most serious threat of course, is the future banning of petrol cars, or making them so difficult to own that most people will just give up. Model T owners are the last type of people that would pay increased registration costs, for example.

[Mopar_man]

Doing my part to keep it alive.

[Bryant]

Model T’s have been on my mind since I was young. I finally get one and they go out of business? Go figure! I guess whatever happens I plan on sticking around. Trends coming and go. And if I would have to put an electric motor in as the only option than so be it. The model T would be the coolest EV around! But until then I will continue with the build.
Bryant

[TRDxB2]

Is the model t hobby on the wane and contracting???

Reduced swap meet dates
-Remember that in the past two years most were cancelled do to the COVID outbreak.
-Many "hospitality" jobs are still unfilled (Hotels, restaurants, travel etc)
-Many hobbyists aren't as young as they used to be and travel is more of a burden

Parts unavailability
Parts discontinued
-Supply chain issues (no coppers sheets etc)
-The Hobbyist's that made the parts are retiring
-People with the trade skills to make parts is no longer in as high a demand as it was in the past. Emerging technology & new skills is likely to fill the void: (3D printing, water jet cutting machines, stick/mig/tig combo welders, etc

Parts Cost Increasing
-Part costs have always been increasing - its called "inflation"
-Supply Chain issues
-Transportation costs (fuel, wages etc)
-Tooling

Vendors closing down
Vendors consolidating
-Owner age, health etc
-Family members to take over t he business

No interest by young people
-Currently the cost of getting into the hobby is prohibitive to the "young".
-There aren't many "barn finds" left - but the inventory of running cars will increase in the next decade.
-As they grow a bit older & become less athletic I'm sure interests will change.

[Mark Nunn]

My 18 year old niece's daily driver is a '51 Packard. She drives it everywhere. She works on it herself too with her dad's guidance.

[John kuehn]

Mark
That’s a nice looking Packard !
That car must have been kept in a barn or a one owner. The time will come and now is it’s what T folks call a survivor. Even still has the neat hood emblem still on it.
Where ever it was it wasn’t left outside I bet.

I don’t think Packard made as many cars as Ford made the Model T and it makes you think that in years to come that more T ‘s will still be around than the Packards. And probably more parts avaliable too!

[Rich P. Bingham]

Right you are, John. From 1899 to 1958, Packard made just over one million vehicles, the greatest number of them being 22nd and 23rd series "bathtubs", 1948-1950. Curiously, that makes any Packard fifteen times more scarce than any Model T !

[Cordes_jeff]

People are busier, lazier, less interest. Our local club doesn't have many local tours anymore. It's going down hill for now but who knows what the future holds. Model A club is thriving, partly because anyone can drive one where as a Model T is an acquired taste. Early Ford V8 club is doing worse than the Model T club mainly because of the people involved and complexities of the vehicles themselves.

[George House]

I believe John Kuehn said it best-“a safe place to drive” is annually becoming more difficult to find. Modern cars are faster with more ways for a disinterested driver to become an irresponsible driver. For instance; next month I’m trailering a T 74 miles along country roads to tour with 75 other Ts on country roads for 4 days. Security in numbers but we’ll have a modern pickup with trailer following us. And this vacation will only cost me around $900.

[Gen3AntiqueAuto]

I'm doing my part to try to save it, or at least leave something of a memorial for the future.

https://youtu.be/3WPT152Sb4U

[DesertG]

I've been looking for a Model T for a couple months and can't find a decent one to buy near me. I have cash in hand. I was born in the 70s.

[BobD]

DesertG,

There are 3 Model T's listed on the Phoenix Craigslist, a 1923,'24 & '25. The 1925 is located in Alamogordo, NM.
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/search/p ... max_price=

Screen Shot 2022-08-29 at 12.34.15 PM.png (81.42 KiB) Viewed 11519 times

[BCSzirony]

Just turned 26 here today! Trust me, I've been trying to get into the hobby, but as the house I purchased didn't have a garage, I have both, no money, and no place to store a T to keep it safe!

I asked my wife for a T or A by or for my 30th, so fingers crossed, my situation has improved by then and I can find one to cherish then! I would've loved to have one in the family to work on, but the only car collector in the family collects corvettes, not antique Fords.

The best part of this forum, and this community is the discussion that's already been had. I can hop on here and find dozens of threads on any one topic, or part, and then reference the dozen or so relevant books on my bookshelf and figure out the issue at hand! Thank you all for your commitment to the hobby! You all have left quite the legacy for us young folk to follow!

I think part of the issue is how we Millenials and Gen Z'ers communicate is different from the older generations. Forums are a bit before our time, so this isn't the first place we turn to communicate and look for resources. What I feel is lacking is further documentation on Youtube. We're a visual generation. Show us a video on how to do something. I know a little bit exist already, but there are still thousands of videos that could be made! Right now, Paul Shinn is doing big things for the Model A community on Youtube. I love his channel! We need a "Paul Shinn" of Model T's to help out the community and start documenting the "insider" secrets on video. If you can get a following like that, there are sure to be many more young guys and girls itching to get their hands dirty wrenching around on a Model T.

If there's anyone on here from the NW Ohio area and would like some help with generating some video content or just wrenching on a car, I'm willing and interested to help!

Hopefully, my thoughts don't come off as offensive, just providing a point of view from a 26-year-old who's looking to get into this hobby! I love the community here and hope to add my own help as soon as I can!

[Scott_Conger]

Ben

so glad you responded!

keep that attitude and drive and you'll meet your goal. Welcome to the Forum and don't hesitate to ask questions as you proceed on your quest.

[John kuehn]

There is quite a few how videos on you tube and has been for a while. It’s good to always read or look at the instructions before you begin to work on a T. The ignition system is the fore runner of a distributor system and for some it takes a while to get it.
Most of us do like a show and tell video and it does help. There are also DVD’s available on a specific repair or at least there use to be. Good luck!

[1925 Touring]

Hello All.

Before I give my opinion, I would like to ask everyone why all of a sudden the gloomy Model T thoughts? This is the second thread I have found in the last two days about the grim future for the Model T. I think that we all need to promote the hobby, to "spread the word" if you will, so it is seen as a happy hobby, not a dying one. I do not think that the Model T hobby will be going down the fuel tubes anytime soon, but lets all try and keep the forum happy. As colonel Potter said on M*A*S*H* SMILING!"

Anyhow, while I believe that the Model T hobby is changing, I do not think that we should turn all our attention to the old glory days of the hobby and give up. (I am not saying that is what is happening) I am an example of a young person very interested in the cars. I know that is not the norm for young people to be interested in old cars, but my point is that there ARE people out there that enjoy the old cars, tractors, ect that are willing to take up the hobby and invest in it. I have gone to Thresherees for as long as I can remember, and enjoy it very much when I get picked up from school in our 1925 Touring car. I think that people will take over the hobby, but it may be in a slightly different light. I see many people on YouTube that are young and interested in the old cars, not all Model T's but old machines in general. I know many young adults are interested more in making money and sports, but like someone on this thread said, as they get older, that will more than likely change. I know that many young people do not have the money right now to sustain an antique car because of college expenses, jobs, and the amount of things to do for a modern young adult in the world. But, in my humble opinion, I think that will change over time. I do not know how anybody can live their lives without some sort of hobby, but the young adults need to get their feet under them. Now i'm not saying that the young adults will all take over the hobby. there are middle aged people who get interested or take part in restorations and get interested that way.

Long story short, DON'T GIVE UP HOPE, BE HAPPY!

this is my view, not saying that it is right or wrong. The main thing is that we all enjoy the community the Model Ts make, and the cars themselves.

[nicklm]

I know I am not as articulate as most, but believe quite a few are posting that things are not the same as in the past. The hobby will persist as long as there are people that want to tinker with these great parts of history. Stories of how it all came about, what you do to solve the unusual issues and why it does not do what you think is should, will persist. Yes, we will take this to another level and solve the new problems in new ways. Maybe your obsolete parts come from a printer rather than Model T Haven or Stan, but the world will not stop going around. It will be another form of a really great hobby. Get inventive, solve problems in new ways, make new friends that may want to join us. Give them rides and get their hands dirty with another car to "fix". You can't stop all of the momentum, but it will change, and could be better than you think.
The purchase of our car was the last mechanical thing my dad and I spoke about before he passed away as he did not think this was in today's world. It ran well and if I wanted an old car, it was worth the $400. So now it is part of my past with him. It will stay around. We all have significant emotions with these cars that will persist.

[MichaelPawelek]

Are you aware that Stan and Model T Haven are no longer with us? I may be mis reading your intent…..

[DesertG]

DesertG,

There are 3 Model T's listed on the Phoenix Craigslist, a 1923,'24 & '25. The 1925 is located in Alamogordo, NM.
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/search/p ... max_price=

Screen Shot 2022-08-29 at 12.34.15 PM.png

Yes, I called on the Phoenix ones. Still looking

[perry kete]

I've been in the Model T hobby a long time and every few years a post appears that it is dying...The Model T is alive and well for well over 100 years and it will continue to do so

[EricMac]

I agree that the hobby is waxing and waning but there are lots of people interested in the cars and clearly there are plenty of parts. As for building a car from parts, I considered that when I bought my most recent car but realized I was better off with a complete car that was the subject of a mechanical restoration. Just a personal preference but I like to restore them while I drive them when it's feasible to do so. The bottom line is there have been and will be many ways to enjoy the hobby.

[TXGOAT2]

One hit Hollywood movie with a bunch of Model Ts in it could start a run on Ts.

[Been Here Before]

There are those on the forum of a certain age who grew up with at least one Model T in the family, or knew of one in the neighbourhood owned by a curmudgeon.

The new forum members who have have found the car charming or challenging are learning about how it works without a mentor in the neighbourhood, or are trying to understand the car through those on the forum old enough to have read E B White or John Steinbeck. All others are just repeating things they have learned from their dead mentors.

And the way things are going now, even the writing of Steinbeck will be going the way of the automobile in California in 2035.

Those who have been around the Model T for a long, long time will understand this passage from John Steinbeck:

"“Someone should write an erudite essay on the moral, physical, and esthetic effect of the Model T Ford on the American nation. Two generations of Americans knew more about the Ford coil than the clitoris, about the planetary system of gears than the solar system of stars. With the Model T, part of the concept of private property disappeared. Pliers ceased to be privately owned and a tire pump belonged to the last man who had picked it up. Most of the babies of the period were conceived in Model T Fords and not a few were born in them. The theory of the Anglo Saxon home became so warped that it never quite recovered.” "
(John Steinbeck's 1945 novel "Cannery Row." )

[Ed Fuller]

Let’s say someone interested in buying their first Model T goes online and visits a well know Model T Ford club forum and reads a long post with people’s opinions on the current state of the hobby. Do you think that they will be inspired to still buy a Model T and help promote growth of the hobby we love? Or would they be inspired to move on to another hobby?

Hmmmm………

[Rich Eagle]

Thanks for mentioning that Ed. I have lost a little of my enthusiasm reading these.
Thank goodness we have a lot more positives posts of what others are having fun with.
Rich

[Norman Kling]

We had a tour last week and we had one young couple along part of the tour. We also have a grandson who inherited his grandfather's T who is quite interested. There are others of middle age who are now members. What I have noticed, is the numbers who drive almost as far from home to the start of a tour and then back afterward. In the past, many members trailered to the beginning of a tour. We don't even have a trouble trailer following us. If someone has a problem along the way, if it is an easy fix, it is repaired. If not, then someone will drive back to the beginning and get a trailer to get the car home. We had one tour about 75 miles 2 months ago with no trouble truck and all the cars made it fine. Mine finished the tour but then driving about 10 miles home from the end of the tour I blew a head gasket. Should have checked the coolant level at least once along the way. There was some seepage around the freeze plugs and it got low enough to steam which blew the gasket.
It is fixed now and drove it about 60 miles without any overheating.
The hobby will continue as long as there is interest. Might even end up being trailered to car shows if we can't get gas anymore.
Norm

[Steve Jelf]

We have always been a tiny minority of the general population. By "we" I mean not just the Model T specialty, but folks with an interest in old relics and their history. I went to the Salvation Army store in Long Beach and paid 25¢ for a circa 1903 box camera which I used to take a picture of Big Klu as he was leaving the Coliseum after a World Series loss to the Dodgers. I'm sure I was the only kid in my school and several other high schools who would have thought of such a thing. I was probably the only one in my class who knew how to "turn off" a kerosene lamp, because I was the only one who cared about such things. Today we have online forums and Facebook pages where we can meet like-minded folks, but we are still a tiny minority.

Ben's observation that younger people gravitate to other media is on the mark. A lot of us geriatric cases spurn Facebook, often without ever having seen it, but I find it an entertaining waste of my time. On the Facebook Model T pages there is a steady stream of younger people who have just stumbled into their first Model T and have questions, or who have just inherited Grandpa's T and want to learn about it. How often do you hear of a T being scrapped when the owner dies? Only never. Somebody inherits it or buys it. An heir often pursues the opportunity to enjoy it, and a buyer is even more likely to be in the game for just that.

The Model T pastime may indeed fade eventually, but I don't expect that in my lifetime.

[jiminbartow]

Most of us current old timer Model T owners grew up in the 60’s building go carts, working on cars with our friends and taking apart lawnmower engines, which we had to keep in good running order so we could mow yards to earn money. I first became interested in Model T’s at the age of 9 in 1963 when I read two articles on Model T’s in my July, 1963 issue of Popular Science which was celebrating the 100th anniversary of Henry Ford. That interest was further bolstered by the Laurel and Hardy movies and shorts that flooded the after school and Saturday morning TV shows in the mid sixties. It was a perfect combination that spurred a resurgence of interest in Model T’s. I bought my first ModelT in 1970 at the age of 16 and spent the next 2 years restoring it.

Unfortunately, most kids these days are are more interested in playing video games and spending time on social medial than getting their hands dirty and greasy working on an engine in a hot garage. This is not a criticism of today’s generation, that is just the way they grew up just like our interests were formed by the things available to us growing up. All we can hope is that there are enough mechanically inclined young people to carry on our hobby, but I have my doubts. Jim Patrick

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[Professor Fate]

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I love this stuff!
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[DLodge]

The Model T pastime may indeed fade eventually, but I don't expect that in my lifetime.

.... Says the 80-year-old from Kansas!

[Mark Nunn]

Just turned 26 here today!

Welcome, Ben. I was about your age when my wife and I started talking about getting an old car. She wanted a big convertible from the 60's. I was 29 when we bought our '64 Thunderbird and we still enjoy it 35 years later! Having my wife's support and setting a budget was a key to getting our first old car. Good luck on your journey.

[CatGuy]

I know I get frustrated with this one and have had thoughts of selling it, but then I hear someone talking about T's online or see another one and I change my mind. It's pretty amazing to have a piece of history like this! I'm 51 so I'm not sure if that's young or old in the hobby? I've had many old cars in my younger days, but this is the oldest one yet. If I survive this one, and have more room someday, I have my eye on a partially restored '26 TT in my area.

[BCSzirony]

Just turned 26 here today!

Welcome, Ben. I was about your age when my wife and I started talking about getting an old car. She wanted a big convertible from the 60's. I was 29 when we bought our '64 Thunderbird and we still enjoy it 35 years later! Having my wife's support and setting a budget was a key to getting our first old car. Good luck on your journey.

Thanks Mark! I haven't thought of setting a budget with her, but that's a great tip to avoid any "disagreements" when the time comes. Still so much to learn in this marriage thing!

[Steve Jelf]

.... Says the 80-year-old from Kansas!

I'm six months ahead of you. I'm 81. I'm reminded of the French woman who lived to 121 years. On her birthday a reporter asked her view of the future. She said, "Very brief."

Scott, several years ago we did a survey where all the forum members told their ages. I think the average was about 54.

[ModelT46]

I bought my 1910 in 1946. I am 90 . So, I hope the hobby last for 6 or 7 years more years. That will be enough for me

[1925 Touring]

I'm not even 20! I'M A CHILD!

[jwrightjr]

Just turned 26 here today! Trust me, I've been trying to get into the hobby, but as the house I purchased didn't have a garage, I have both, no money, and no place to store a T to keep it safe!

I asked my wife for a T or A by or for my 30th, so fingers crossed, my situation has improved by then and I can find one to cherish then! I would've loved to have one in the family to work on, but the only car collector in the family collects corvettes, not antique Fords.

The best part of this forum, and this community is the discussion that's already been had. I can hop on here and find dozens of threads on any one topic, or part, and then reference the dozen or so relevant books on my bookshelf and figure out the issue at hand! Thank you all for your commitment to the hobby! You all have left quite the legacy for us young folk to follow!

I think part of the issue is how we Millenials and Gen Z'ers communicate is different from the older generations. Forums are a bit before our time, so this isn't the first place we turn to communicate and look for resources. What I feel is lacking is further documentation on Youtube. We're a visual generation. Show us a video on how to do something. I know a little bit exist already, but there are still thousands of videos that could be made! Right now, Paul Shinn is doing big things for the Model A community on Youtube. I love his channel! We need a "Paul Shinn" of Model T's to help out the community and start documenting the "insider" secrets on video. If you can get a following like that, there are sure to be many more young guys and girls itching to get their hands dirty wrenching around on a Model T.

If there's anyone on here from the NW Ohio area and would like some help with generating some video content or just wrenching on a car, I'm willing and interested to help!

Hopefully, my thoughts don't come off as offensive, just providing a point of view from a 26-year-old who's looking to get into this hobby! I love the community here and hope to add my own help as soon as I can!

Ben we are neighbors so to speak! I am a relative new comer to the hobby compared to most on this forum with acquiring my first T in 2018. I now have 3 and expecting more (that’s what happens when you park them too close together) Just make sure when you do get a shop it is big enough! I don’t tour much due to my work schedule but not to many days go by where I don’t take one of the T’s out even for just a short ride. There are a lot of great people in this hobby and I was surprised at how many “closet” T’ers there are around this area. I have a lot of hobbies but I spend most my free time tinkering with T’s. A few of us are getting together to go to the S.C.R.A.P show this weekend in Gibsonburg. BTW That’s the Sandusky County Restorers of Antique Power not the dirty word scrap lol. Stop on out if you get a chance I believe we are planning on being there Saturday. The one thing model T’s have taught me is to appreciate life at 25 mph. We all need to slow down these days!

[Steve Jelf]

The one thing model T’s have taught me is to appreciate life at 25 mph.

Young guys, eat sensibly and don't become a fat old man in bad health. Skip tobacco, go easy on the booze or beer, and be ready to enjoy retirement when it comes. Last fall I was driving my 1915 across eastern Illinois and thinking how very lucky I am to have the time for Model T travel and the health to enjoy it. Fields of corn and soy beans stretched to the horizon on either side, interspersed with the occasional neat farmstead. Under a brilliant blue sky dotted by puffy white clouds the fields rolled by at a leisurely 35 mph to the humming, clattering tune of Henry's little 20 hp engine pulling me west on US 36. Model T travel is not everybody's cup of tea, but I love it. Try it. You might like it.

[Craig Leach]

I think we may need to look at things in a new light. Yes we are getting older so we need to look for a chance to promote the hobby. How many times do we do local cruises ( car) have you done any school history presentations. Trunk or treats. Big or small town parades? how many kids have had their picture taken in your T. How long does it take to put gas in your Model T if you don't talk to 5 or 6 people your not trying. We have to promote the hobby at every level or it will die with us. As far as the young ones I have 3 Grandkids that work on their cars & change their own oil & tires.
One Granddaughter that I helped build a 1966 Chevy hot rod pick up. Ground up. ( she built her first engine @ 15 ) Would I have rather she wanted a model T, yes. Would I trade the time we spent together for a $1,000,000 HELL NO !!! AS far as parts availability & cost Have you had to replace the diesel engine in your tow vehicle lately? For the most part I don't think the cars are the best part of our hobby it's the people.
Craig.

[jiminbartow]

Driving a Model T creates a very unique experience that can only be derived from the act of driving it. The various steps in the starting process, turning the crank and the uncertainty of whether it will start, the chug and wheeze of the engine, then the roar as it comes to life, the relief one feels that it started, running around to the cab to switch to BATT before she dies, the smooth sound as the engine is adjusted with the levers, the buzzing coils, the smell of the engine, the vibration, the sparse look of the surrounding interior, the creaks of the swaying body and the smiles, laughs and waves of people when you blow the horn, as you drive by… Jim Patrick

[Upholstery Mike]

The hobby is not dying. I know some things are becoming harder to find, but I am working hard to keep things available. I am currently working on fabrics that haven't been available and I'll work on more things after that.

Mike
Classtique Upholstery

[TRDxB2]

The stone indicates the end on the Model series not the hobby that resurrected them.

[DLodge]

Driving a Model T creates a very unique experience that can only be derived from the act of driving it.

When I first got into the hobby, someone said to me, "Driving a Model T is the most fun you can have with clothes on." Seemed about right....

[jiminbartow]

I am concerned that that T is going to rust away. T’s that age are very rare. I don’t know where it or under what circumstances it is on display (private residence, museum or vintage themed auto restaurant such as, www.fordsgarageusa.com), but I hope someone rescues it, as it reminds me of a helpless puppy left chained up outside waiting for someone to take pity on it and rescue it from certain death.

What year is it? The radiator shell, lights and acetylene tank look to be something other than brass. Anyone know where this T is? Jim Patrick

[John kuehn]

It’s probably a set up to get folks to comment about and wonder what’s going on much like this thread is. All it takes is to come up about with something to talk about. I guess it does!

[TRDxB2]

I am concerned that that T is going to rust away. T’s that age are very rare. I don’t know where it or under what circumstances it is on display (private residence, museum or vintage themed auto restaurant such as, www.fordsgarageusa.com), but I hope someone rescues it, as it reminds me of a helpless puppy left chained up outside waiting for someone to take pity on it and rescue it from certain death.

What year is it? The radiator shell, lights and acetylene tank look to be something other than brass. Anyone know where this T is? Jim Patrick

It is outside a Model T Museum and was deemed to far gone to be restored at the time, and other restorations were more important. Its pretty much the same as it was 20 years ago. I'm sure the owner would sell it to you at a ridiculous low price to mitigate your personal concerns of rescuing it. It will be for sale, in fact if someone would make a reasonable offer I'm sure it would be considered.

Further criticism of that car is likely to be in violation of the Forum Rules (...that you will not post any material which is false, defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy....)

Currently all the cars in the Museum are for sale, - some in these pictures have been sold, there are at least 19-20 are left and a complete 1910 (less engine) with a Ray Wells body ready to start a restoration. All are National award winners and priced accordingly. If your interested send me an email and I will put you in contact with the owner. Many of you know who it is and have enjoyed your visits to the Museum.

[Gracie'sDad]

Death of the Model T hobby? Don't buy it!! In the past year just for fun I entered an "Exotic" car show. Featured were souped up Japanese, turbo-ed, wild painted, loud exhausted, Mazarattis, Ferraris, Lambos......you get it. Over 200 cars were in competition. My '23 Touring was totally out of place but that was the beauty of it. After all the public and participants votes were tallied, my "Gracie" won best in show! People love the Model T and it's appeal is timeless.

[TomW]

Hello all. My son (15) and I (47) have recently joined (re-joined) the hobby. I was active in it in my teens and early twenties with my father, who is now 82. He had three Ts at the time and one A. Today just the A and the 1923 roadster pickup remain. The T has been sitting in his barn, having not run for about 15 years. The last couple of weekends, the three of us have been working on it. My son is very interested in it. I don't think the hobby is dying.

[Dilrod]

Absolutely alive and kicking!

Yes, more of a niche and a changing community, due to demographics, and parts will be more of a challenge, as well as an opportunity for some enterprising individuals, and maybe someday gasoline will be about as scarce as kerosene. But having been one of the last ducks in the pond as a small dairy farmer, and joining the VFW as all the WWII vets were moving on, I can say these things will change, but never completely go away.

I'm 100% positive about the future.

[John kuehn]

The T in the supposedly setting of a grave yard reminds me of the 38 Chevrolet pickup that was parked on the corner of a greenhouse business here in Central Texas. It’s been there since the early 80’s and since we drive in that area from time to time I’ve watched it dwindle away. The owner put in a water sprinkler system slowly coming of of the pickup and its just rusting and merrily falling apart. When it was placed at the corner it looked like it was just drove up and parked. Anybody that likes old cars and trucks must be cringing like me when they drive by.
To each their own I guess on how they advertise their business. It’s just a shame when you see a pretty decent old vehicle rot down and especially when it was good shape to begin with.

[Rich Eagle]

An old friend used to say "Well, that just makes the ones that are left just that more valuable". He's been gone a long time but not forgotten. Out West here the cars take a heck of a long time to rust. I keep thinking of the ones we drive out in public and how they keep sparking imaginations everywhere we go. I keep checking this thread for inspiration and happy some are positive about things.
I can't worry too much about the future. I have a tour to get ready for.
Rich