Why I enjoy the Model T hobby...

[Tbird]

I've been involved in the Model T hobby since 2012. I consider myself a young guy late 30's. I've known about Model T's since I was a kid. Growing up in New Mexico there were still plenty of old junk yards, ghost towns and ravines with remnants of rusted gold, that now have faded to dust in the wind. I got serious in the hobby with a simple google search for Model T and stumbled on this website, which led to purchasing a pile of parts from Joe Bell and then figuring out what I wanted and what I wanted to do. I've traded parts, gotten up early on a Saturday morning to go to swap meets, auctions to hunt for the elusive part, and have scoured the classified ads. I've seen guys who were the "pillars" of this hobby fade into memories and their advice and knowledge repeated over and over on the forum. I have made some friends along the way, enjoyed talking about projects and learning the "Ah! so that's how you do it". It's interesting that a simple car that was made to make peoples lives easier has affected so many in so many ways. I know that within the Model T community there are some others that have been around a lot longer, (nice way of not calling you an old guy!) I have learned from you and been amazed at what you have accomplished with your car(s). I love this hobby, not just because of the cars, but because the people that I have met along the way.
Why do you enjoy it?

[Rich Eagle]

Having played with Ts for48 years it's so nice to see the "Newcomers" enjoying it just as much. Their enthusiasm is refreshing and reminds me of the magic it was when I started. Different aspects change over the years but in some ways it just gets better. I hope more will share the positive things they are fond of. We don't hear it enough. They can teach us a lot.
Thanks
Rich

[OilyBill]

Liking all old machinery, I REALLY enjoy working on a vehicle designed in 1908. You get to experience early motoring exactly as it was, with all it's triumphs and tribulations.

Ignore all the speeding cars around you. They will all be dust in 40 years, and no one will even think about them.

[John kuehn]

I inherited my way in the world of Model T’s when I got my Grandfathers 24 Coupe in 1959 after his death. He had bought a 25 T fordor for parts which I later sold. Now I wish I hadn’t. Along the way I restored 2 T’s since then and really enjoyed doing it.
I was fortunate I didn’t have to buy many parts to get the Coupe running since he had saved lots of T parts which were plentiful and cheap at the time. In my 20’s T parts were fairly plentiful from farmers and at auctions. Those days are gone and finding mostly complete cars and parts are getting scarce but you there are a few out there.

Being around T’s is kind of like part of my family’s heritage and hopefully they will keep them. They are interested in them so that’s good and that brings our family together.

The people that grew up with T’s in the T era are gone and now it’s their kids which are in their 60’s and up that are the old folks now and that’s hard to believe in a way!

[Jeff5015]

My father was an early member of the MTFC (now MTFCI) organized in Chicago. His close friend was an early past president of the club.
For the first 25 years of my life I enjoyed the hobby absolutely free working alongside him restoring T's and some A's too.
Then I got married, raised a family but never quit got the Model T out of my system. When he passed away I inherited his last T and his MTFCI number.
I'm proud to have both.

[Steve Jelf]

Like others, I enjoy people I have met, the search for goodies at auctions and swap meets, schmoozing online about Model T's, and learning about them. And I appreciate the privilege of being able to enjoy an aspect of the hobby that's closed to many by their circumstances. That is Model T travel. Not just a therapeutic after-dinner drive on a summer evening or a run to town for groceries, but an actual trip halfway across the state, or to a destination several states away. I'm very lucky that my health is good enough and that I have the time, and I enjoy it very much. The occasional flat tire or mechanical glitch is just part of the adventure. So far nothing has made me not want to go anymore, and my bucket list of Model T trips most likely will last longer than I will.

[Angmar]

The car, the people I meet in the hobby and the history. Always interesting and I learn new things about them every day thanks to the MTFCA.

[George House]

Been restoring and driving Model T s since 1966. Probly restored over a dozen. Drove one up Pikes Peak. I still enjoy Model T s because they hollar out that I’m a chick magnet at 72

[Jeff5015]

I still enjoy Model T s because they hollar out that I’m a chick magnet

That's pretty much taken for granted by all of us...

[Rich Eagle]

They all love us don't they?

[Allan]

My first model T was going to be a T bucket hot rod, complete with early 21 stud V8. That idea went right out the window when I got to drive one before I started the build. At 16 years old, first road registered car was a 22 T buckboard, way back in 1962, and I have been at it since.

I enjoy the challenge of finding correct model bits for the car I am building. It took 8 years to find the stuff for my 1912 van build. I really like the woodwork involved in the builds. A buckboard was the first, a complete re-wood of a 15 tourer, two shooting brakes, another re-wood of my 25 wide body roadster, and a total rebuild of my son's 10cwt lorry has taught me a deal about how these things are done.

Then there's the people. When we were to attend a sheep breeders congress in Oregon in 1989 I decided to meet some T people in the States. I volunteered to put on a slide show of Australian T's for chapters of the MTFCA in the 3 west coast states, and sent a flier to 19 chapters. I got 23 replies!!! We have made, and lost through time, some great friends, made some subsequent trips to the USA, hosted Americans here on our National tours, and made lasting friendships with New Zealanders too.

See you in Dubbo in September for this year's National tour.

Allan from down under.

[John kuehn]

Allan, I have to ask.
Is there any old wrecking or salvage yards where you are? I grew up going to farm auctions, junk yards looking for different things with my Father here in central Texas. Was there many remains of old cars around when you were growing up?

[Allan]

John, the first T I drove was one of 7 in a thatched roof shed a mate discovered in the early 60's. We drove one of them 140 miles to get it home, after much tinkering and gallons of water during the drive.
Interestingly, the B series 1912 engine in my van did come from a wrecking yard, in metropolitan Adelaide! I'd gone there to get two Hayes wire wheels that were under an old trailer. While they dug it out, I dug around in the long grass at the back and found the remains of the engine transmission assembly. They gave it to me in the wheel deal. All I salvaged from the motor was the engine block casting. That was the start of the search for all the other bits to go with it. The wheels are still on the van too.
Parts came from all over the place for the van. The side lights and coilbox and coils came from a contact in Oregon on that first trip, as did the tail light and muffler, from Spokane. The clamshell diff was under a trailer on a fruitgrower's block on the River Murray. The radiator is an assembly of original parts, restored using a new-old-stock Ford core, the complete steering column from the ceiling of a local house, and so it goes on. The last bit I fitted was the threaded end drag link, 20 years after the car hit the road. That I found at Chickasha in 2010.
Aah, the memories of people and places from that trip. If you ever get the chance to see the Grand Canyon with a light dusting of snow and no people jams, grab the chance.

Allan from down under.

[John kuehn]

That’s a neat story about finding those parts here and there! Those T parts were used after the car was abandoned and the parts went for this and that to be used for a trailer or whatever.
Use to see those T trailers here at the farm auctions! But not much now.

[Norman Kling]

I wanted a Model T when I was in High School in the early 1950's. I lived about a mile from Walt Rosenthal, who was the first president of the MAFCA and I admired his car. My dad thought I should have a newer car, so I got a 29 Model A. I had at least 12 Model A's and they were mostly daily drivers for me or for my wife. Then we moved here to Alpine and I had a 30+mile commute each way to San Diego. So we sold our last Model A and used more modern cars. Then I got an early retirement and found a "basket Case" Model T to restore. A week after I bought it, the phone rang and I had another job for 15 years. So I only worked on it in my spare time. So what I thought would take about 2 years actually took 10 years in my spare time. I have 3 Model T's now and enjoy working on them and driving them on tours.
Norm

As bought

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fitting parts

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painting

upholstering

tacking upholstery.jpg (52.91 KiB) Viewed 6052 times

finished

[Bob McDaniel]

My Grandpa was born in 1909 and lived on a farm his whole life. I was told he drove a model T and would drive it to my Grandmas house and park it on the bottom step when he was as he said "courting her" They were married in 1933 and my Mom was born 10 years later. Grandpa lost his sight in the 50's but still lived and worked on the farm till his last days. I was married on that step in front of Grandma's house in 1991 and now own a 1909 touring that we call Grandpa. I have a picture of my Grandpa from back in the day with the model T truck he drove at the grain elevator I think from before they were married. It is fun to drive a car the same age as him and my Grandma (also born in 1909) and he would have been proud to know that I have it even if it was not the one he drove.

Last picture is my 1909 (Grandpa) with the same old house in the background where it all started for me.

[Burger in Spokane]

I was drawn to steam era machinery and architecture (and anything else)
when I was still riding a tricycle. The thrill of seeing this stuff rusting away
in quiet repose was only outdone by seeing examples still in motion. Finding
a truck like the one I own today in a barn near our farm when I was about 10
years old set the wheels in motion to someday own one and be the force behind
others' getting to enjoy that thrill of seeing something like this in motion. By
extension, my interest is all about USING the truck and placing it in the public
eye in the context of being used as a truck and NOT posing it around at car
shows and other contrived settings typical to the car culture scene.

Like these things did for me as a kid (and now), the old dog never fails to put
smiles on faces wherever it goes. I love the ambiance it adds to a shop full of
all the other steam era junk I have collected, but my favorite part of ownership
is how it seems to bring a lot of joy to those who see it going down the road.


Bringing in firewood from the woodlot last fall. People were stopping to take
photos every time I returned to get another load. Many commented that they
could not believe I use it like an ordinary truck. Sure, I do. Why not ?

[Duey_C]

I took a door off of a rock pile when my friends/neighbors Ricky, David and I were walking around our farm countryside and put it up in their dad's shed. Wonder if it's still there after 40 some years. We were just boys.
Odd man out in my family always. Built a model T in my 30's from junk. Still have it. My Crappy 24 Runabout. Nearly unstoppable car.
Other 90-100 year old machines have me in their grip right now but sometimes the T is simply ingrained in the soul.
'Tis for me. Always is.
It might help few others know how to actually drive them!
Love those "in use" pics Burger!

[Original Smith]

Been at it since 1960.

[mbowen]

Admitting to a bit of an ego, I love the honks and waves from strangers. Our little 40 acres or so of unsalted airport property is getting confining, so I’m looking forward to spring rains washing the salt off the roads so we can go on some longer drives.

[Reno Speedster]

I have an odd relationship with the model T hobby. 20 odd years ago I was in graduate school in Reno I came across a T speedster on line and found them interesting. Just about that time, the MTFCA held a convention in Reno (Sparks). I saw an announcement in the paper and just went over to see what was happening. I saw Glenn Chaffin give a lecture on the Ruckstell rear end and was struck by the elegance and simplicity of the T.

I was in grad school getting my MA (and later Ph.D.) in historical archaeology and had very little money. But, I found a Canadian 1926 chassis from a guy who wanted the coup body for a hot rod and started collecting original speed parts.

I also found the Silver State model T club and started going to meetings. In time, I served a term as president of the club. In the process, I met some great people .who helped me with my project. Ed Katzorkie rebuilt my motor and Milt Web taught me how to rebuild my transmission. I promoted a project where club members went to folks garages to help get Ts running and back on the road. But, my car was a long way from done.

In time I finished grad school and moved to Alaska, taking my project with me. Job, family, and life got in the way so progress slowed down. I started work on a wood skiff body for my car and continued to work on getting it done. But it’s still not done.

The point is that I have had more than 20 years of fun and pleasure in the T hobby, and never once a running car! I really enjoy the mechanical and historical aspects of the T and have met good friends along the way. It looks like I am adding another, running T to the garage pretty soon and progress is being made on the speedster project. But honestly, I have received a great deal of pleasure from just being part of the community. I am sure owning a running T will just add to the fun.

[Charlie B in N.J.]

Just like the old machinery. It’s interesting to see how it was done and getting into shape again. Then I move on to the next one.

[rprice76]

A good topic and one I feel I can give some background on.

I grew up with Model T's. My dad bought his first Model T in July of 1976 (I was born in Feb). He used to take me for rides by strapping me in with a regular pants belt tied to the top irons. Over the years I watched him drive, and soon, arround age 12 I began 'driving' myself in parking lots with dad teaching me. Ironically I could drive a T before ! could drive a regular stick shift! All during this, dad was very active in the local T chapter in Tucson, and I always looked forward to our monthly tours (except in June - Aug when it was almost too hot to tour!

When I turned 16 I took my driver's test in the same Model T he used to strap me into, and soon he got me my own T (even though we owned three others).

Fast forward, I fell out of the Model T club after dad passed and it was a bit too painful to be involved, but time marches on. I had to relocate due to a job loss, and that Roadster of dad's went on to a new family (totally fine - the family it went to was a close friend of my Dad's and he's taking good care of it!).

Now that I'm on the east coast and secure in a new job I recently bought my newest project, a neglected 1917 touring. The first time I took it for a jaunt around the block was the best salve to my soul. There is nothing, and I repeat, nothing like driving a Model T.

[John Dow]

I fell hopelessly in love with the T at about age 13. I believe I owe my early affection to it's overall endearing appeal and overall "cute" aestetics. As I learned more and more I became fascenated by all things Model T and the life of Henry Ford himself. At age 66 I finally became the proud owner of a '23 Touring of which I could not be more proud. All those years prior I consider time and money wasted on an Impala, GT0, BMW, 911SC, and a Stingray. As I look back I can honestly say all those other cars combined were not half as much fun as my Flivver "Gracie". Meeting and getting to know all the "T People" has been just a plus.

[ModelT46]

I have enjoyed Model T Fords since I was 14, for in Sept. of 1946 I purchsed my First Model T. That is my 1910 Touring, which I still own. I have owned perhaps 20 other Model T for over these years, but my 1910 has always been my favorite. It is my only Model T now, but I own 2 1931 Model As, a 1931 roadster and a 1931 wide bed pickup. At 89 I still use all three, in worm weather that is.

[ModelT46]

that is "in warm weather". It is 40 above today with 6 inches on snow on the ground. In Minnesota we sometines have an old Ford out in the winter (I have), but I think I will wait awhile.

[Angmar]

Model T 46, thank you for sharing your story.