MTFCA Forum

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Original Smith, and "T Masters" like him, are good for our hobby and good for our Club.

It's my experience that, more often than not, home garage mechanics who have accumulated decades, (in this case 60+ years), of Tin Lizzy maintenance knowledge are not willing to tinker on cars along side the generations now coming up in our hobby. However, retired US Navy submariner and wood shop teacher Original Smith is not one of these.

My 1915 Touring and I joined the Model T Ford Club of America and its Southern California Chapter in 2018. Since then, just outside of his Model T part filled garage, Original Smith has generosity instructed me through; straightening an arched tie rod, diagnosing a bent rear axle, testing and adjusting coils, alining the front end, the removal, repair and replacement of the brass radiator and getting the Sears Cross speedometer working again. Each of these one or two morning hands-on lessons came with a bunch of secondary instruction on model year correct parts, tool use, proper adjustments, and useful tips that only a seasoned hands-on Model T guy would know.

There are other Model T-ers who have allowed me to do the hands-on work under their supervision, like Norm Kling, Erik Barrett and Tony Balker, but none so passionate, consistently knowledgeable , or as encouraging as Original Smith. I will take all the Tin Lizzy maintenance expertise these mechanics will pass on, knowing that their helpful attitude in sharing this knowledge in this way is rare. Because of these greasy opportunities, those coming up in the hobby have a better chance of learning how to "do things right" and be better able to pass these skills on down the line to future Model T-ers.

Thank you Original Smith, ...and thank you to those of you who allow us still learning to work along beside you.

The Freshman Class

There are others in the hobby who are willing to share their knowledge. Engine Joe Bell is one of them. He has helped me a great deal. Another is Tim Wrenn.
Art Mirtes

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 31, 2020 11:57 am

And you got to visit beautiful downtown Lomita.

Yes, we who lack the decades of experience and knowledge the more expert among us have achieved are lucky that they are glad to share what they have learned. One of those is Mike Bender, who has been willing to let me "help" when he works on my projects.

You may think you lack decades of experience but you are an expert among then, where else can I find "how to's" Thank you Steve!

While I agree that Original Smith, Joe Bell, Tim Wrenn and Art Mirtes are great contributors to the craft, I must add that Steve Jelf has been an invaluable resource since I acquired my T two years ago. Thanks, Steve. There are others who have given their time and help freely... Norman Kling, Allen from downunder, Henry K Lee, Cudaman and not the least of these Scott Conger.

I am probably missing a few. But thanks all you guys. You have all helped make 2020 better for this T owner in Florida.

Jeff

Jeff5015 wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 31, 2020 1:18 pm

While I agree that Original Smith, Joe Bell, Tim Wrenn and Art Mirtes are great contributors to the craft, I must add that Steve Jelf has been an invaluable resource since I acquired my T two years ago. Thanks, Steve. There are others who have given their time and help freely... Norman Kling, Allen from downunder, Henry K Lee, Cudaman and not the least of these Scott Conger.

I am probably missing a few. But thanks all you guys. You have all helped make 2020 better for this T owner in Florida.

Jeff

Larry Smith, and all those others listed above, and more, are what makes this hobby "work" for those are just getting into it. Not just the help itself, but the very spirit of helpfulness and camaraderie. Thanks to you all!

Yes, even though I have never met original Smith, I admire him for sticking to data which can be backed up by Ford Motor Company. There are many things that do not seem to be documented in the parts list, but the Bentsen Ford Library has information on changes. The later style flip top jack is an example. We know they are out there, but not listed in the parts books.

Original Larry, keep up the good work in requesting valid information for any items we say were used in Model T Ford production!

Arnie

Kudos for Larry are overdue. He's taken flak for being a "purist". A gentleman and a man of few words, he's always generous, willing to help and truly knows his stuff. Thanks as well to our forum members who do likewise. It's not hard to tell who's "the real deal", and we all benefit from their contributions to our obsession ! (Hobby just ain't a strong enough word for what we do ! )

Well, I can say from experience that Larry is a great guy, and an asset to our T community!
Hmm, thought I'd write more, but that really says it all.

Very well said Steven. Thank you. And thank you to to the others that acknowledged the many others that guide our Model T passion. I lost a special friend last year who had an unending knowledge of Model Ts. We need to continue their knowledge and energy about our old Fords so others will have a chance to learn and enjoy as we have.

I really like Joe Bell as he is down to earth and no one has to kiss his ring!! Bud. PS, Jerry O have you retired and moved south?? Bud.

My friend lives a short distance from Larry.



On a summer day last year - I was lucky
enough to hang out in his garage for the
day why he put the finishing touches on
the only 1904 Ford Model B known to
exist in largely original condition
that he had spent (19) months and a
minimum of 1300 hours on getting it
back in running condition .....

Plus he spent his own money for parts
and other services provided by others ....

Like The Legendary Erik Barrett ....

For Free

If you want a suggestion on who to recommend
For The Rosenthal Award This Year

His Birthday Was Yesterday



FJ

Happy New Year.
I personally have never had the privlige of meeting Original Smith. I do know some how have had stimulating conversations with him. We all have a effection for the most accessorized automobile ever produced. I find it admorable that some try to keep them as they came from the factory as well as dolled up as much as possible. Promoting the hobby & helping those new to it is essential to the survival of the hobby. As time goes on the automotive hobby comes more & more under fire for its perceived effects on the inviroment. We need to keep passing the torch to new participants or we will dissapear as fast as Model Ts did in the scrap drives during WWII. Hopefully the new year will find us healthy & driving the wheels off our T's

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 01, 2021 10:51 am

Kim and Larry live only about a mile apart as the crow flies. Of course, not many people travel by crow.

I love that Steve. Can't wait to use it sometime!
(I'll give you credit for it though )

Does this Original Smith feller know much about keeping crows in
good working order ?

I have crows in the trees in my back yard. They are a pain!

Original Smith wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 03, 2021 11:33 am

I have crows in the trees in my back yard. They are a pain!