Model T hill climb still around?

[John kuehn]

Saw this today and was wondering if this still goes on. Is the T group still around as the MTFC inc. Maybe before it was changed to MTFCA or?

[Craig Leach]

google 2024 long beach model T club hill climb
Craig

[Daisy Mae]

That pic brought back childhood memories of Long Beach.
Not the T/hill climb, but the oil well derricks.
The skyline looks much different now than the "Porcepine Hill" I recall of towers and grasshoppers. Even then, my memory is nothing compared to how it was in the 20's when a well tower sat on literally every square inch of LB. (Literally, yes, bit of LB '20's trivia, oil leases weren't offered per normal units of acreage, but literally sold in units of inches!)

[modeltspaz]

The last "official" Long Beach Model T Club Hillclimb was in 1979 and was won by Nick D'Antonio, who had the best time.

When it came time to organize the Hillclimb for 1980, there was a problem with the four entities that controlled the properties surrounding Hill Street. Shell Oil Company, the City of Signal Hill, the City of Long Beach, and a fourth company who's name escapes me. These four groups informed the club that they needed to provide a large liability insurance policy to cover any damage to person or property in the event of an accident. This was all due to a group of skateboarders that were using the hill to race- DOWN! Reports are that during one skateboarding event, the surrounding area ran out of available ambulances to transport injured skateboarders to the hospital.

Over the following few years, several attempts were made to organize another Hillclimb, however, an agreement could not be reached, the required amount of insurance was astronomical, so the Long Beach Model T Club Hillclimb became a memory.

When I was President of the club in 2000, we were contacted by the City of Signal Hill about organizing another hillclimb. The then City Manager contacted the club to gather information on the hillclimb. Being the President, I put together an information kit, including a newly produced DVD about the Hillclimb produced by local resident Dennis Morowski for his "I Remember Long Beach" series. After several weeks had passed, I contacted the woman that I dropped off the kit with. She informed me that she no longer was involved in that project and gave me the contact number of the new person. I contacted the new person who did not hesitate to tell me that he had absolutely no interest in pursuing this venture and bid me a good day. Case closed.

The year 2024 marked the 100th anniversary of the City of Signal Hill. The city contacted the Long Beach Model T Club to help with providing Model Ts for various celebrations involving the 100th anniversary. One of those events was a limited Hillclimb event held in August. There were a limited number of cars. The City wasn't really sure how big of a turnout they would see. The turnout was fantastic. The club received countless calls about entering their car in the Hillclimb. I was approached by a middle aged man at the meeting place after the event and asked if I remembered the Ton Truck that ran the hill with the enormous hay stack. I never actually attended a hillclimb personally but I told him that I knew of it. He then told me that he was Grover Seguine's Grandson. Grover would have a different "load" on his truck every year. One year he had a giant sized six-pack of Coors in cans. Another year it was four enormous ignition coils.
The city was very pleased with all things involved. Nothing is for sure, but the Mayor eluded to a possible Hillclimb for 2025. Since the Mayor is a "Pro-tem", we'll have to wait and see what the rest of the year brings.

Stay tuned.

Mike "modeltspaz" Spaziano.

[DHort]

I know of only 3 Hill Climbs, but I am sure there are more.

1. Newport Hill Climb, Indiana
2. International Speedsters Trials and Reunion, Nebraska
3. Hill Climb somewhere in Iowa, contact Birdhaven for location

[ThreePedalTapDancer]

Here is a brief glimpse into the past.

https://youtu.be/eBrE8FGgJrQ?si=JvneDCWib3EtPA7d

[Daisy Mae]

Thanks for the background Mike.

As a prior organizer of Mustang race (tracks)/show events, I can attest things we did decades ago are near impossible now simply due to liability as well as local regulations, costs and fees...
If it's fun, somebody is going to have their hand out. But sadly, truth is also if someone gets hurt personal responsibility doesn't exist and deep pockets will pay instead.

Case in point, as a minister performing weddings on the beach for the tourists, our city last year implemented a permit & fee requirement. The basis was to "control large gatherings on the beach" Total BS...wedding groups of typically 5 to 20 people needing to pay a fee... next to tents of 30-40 tourists who don't. It's all about the money...

[jsaylor]

The F.A.S.T. group still holds their annual hill climb at the Auburn Airport. Not as steep as Signal Hill.

[AndyClary]

F.A.S.T. Spring Hill climb is in Virginia City, May 17th. It’s a good backdrop for the hill climb and the city is 100% behind it. While F.A.S.T. Is technically a Model A thing they have classes for Model T’s, from stock to the Wild Cherry. I’ll be running my Mercury.

Andy

[Dave Sullivan]

Virginia City, Nevada? Four cylinders only? Hope I see you there. Dave Sullivan, Bellingham

[AndyClary]

Info is on their website. Vintagefastfords.com. Limited to pre-35 4 cylinders.

Andy

[SurfCityGene]

John, Yes, The 2024 Model T Signal Hill Climb was a huge success! Ed Archer brought his #4 speedster and clocked the fastest time of the 10 cars that were allowed to reenact the event. Although the hill is not quite the same challenge as original most all of the spectators were in awe of the T's zooming up the hill amazed that cars like the T could still even run and drive!

This was promoted by the city of Signal Hill to commemorate their 100 anniversary. It could be possible that a similar event may be held again as the city was excited to such a big turnout. Hopefully more cars will be allowed as many others showed interest it driving their cars.

The event was originally started by the LB club one day getting ready for a local tour when someone decided they should use a run up the Hill to see if the cars were ready to continue on the tour!

PS BTW My '12 Torpedo had the fastest time of the flathead engines!

[babychadwick]

For those that want to reminisce. . .

[TXGOAT2]

So much of our Liberty has been lost. It disgusts me.

[TXGOAT2]

An open border, for instance, is a lot bigger threat to far more people than is a hill climb or any similar event.

[modeltspaz]

I have often times asked "Who was the person that outlawed fun, anyway?"

I figured it out. It's not a person, it's a group of people. They're called "Insurance Companies". Insurance companies love to take in premiums. However, they absolutely detest paying settlements. It affects the bottom line and angers the stock holders.

There are four different "Corporations" that own the Hill. All four are "incorporated". When someone stubs their toe, they call their local attorney to see about cashing in on that opportunity that knocks only once.

And there you have it. A bit oversimplified perhaps, but I'm sure that you get the gist of it.

[YellowTRacer]

Alright guys let's really put the blame where it belongs!!! We all do "stupid" things and most of the time call it fun. Nothing wrong with that. It is fun and challenging. Whether its running a Model T up a hill as fast as it will go, riding a skate board down a steep hill, climbing someone elses a tall tree, the list is endless. As soon as something disastrous happens, rather than accept the blame, we try to blame everyone else, and sue everyone associated with the situation. The tree owner, the land owner(s), the people that run the event, company that built the car, skate board etc etc. It's our current (last 70/80 yrs.) generation. WE ARE THE PROBLEM!

[babychadwick]

When someone asks how old you are the correct answer is "Old enough to know better, young enough to try again" I think we all fit this from time to time.

[AndyClary]

In case anyone was thinking of going, the Virginia City hill climb in May has been cancelled. The city was unable to make promised road repairs in time.

Andy