MTFCA Forum

Friends - This will be my first time attending a tour, and was wondering what the terrain is like around Cadillac, MI (e.g. many big or rolling hills; or, fairly flat)? Thank you. ~Bryan

Some rolling terrain not flat. Perfect for Model Ts. See you there!

Yup, nothing a standard Model T can't handle. Tree lined, rolling, some winding.....great Model T roads. You're going to love it!

You'll usually park on the level but bring a wheel chock just in case - good advice for any tour

Thank you Mark and Tim. I’m eggar to finally attend one.

Bryan, I'm sure you've seen the brochure on the 2024 MTFCI tour but if anyone else is interested, here's a link
<https://nebula.wsimg.com/7f066a6d326f15 ... oworigin=1>

Also, to anyone who hasn't visited the area before, you might allow a couple of extra days to see the sights. A trip across the Mackinac Bridge to the UP and a boat ride to Mackinac Island would be worth the effort. BTW - Mackinac is pronounced Mack-in-naw - On the south end of the bridge is Mackinaw City... also with much to offer.

Sleeping bear dunes west of Traverse City is awesome and Leland (on Lake Michigan) was voted one of the most picturesque small towns in the US. You can probably tell that I'm proud of my home state....

I'm glad you're planning on the Cadillac tour. You will be amazed by the people, cars,and the drives. Are you planning on going to the Luray swap meet, and tour. It's close by, and will give you an idea of what to expect in Cadillac. There will be quite a few of us there that will be on the tour.

For driving in the central region of the lower 48, a stock Model T (in good condition) is plenty good enough. It's east of Wheeling or west of Denver where a Ruckstell becomes important.

If you're attending the tour from out of state and not likely to get back to Michigan for a long time, the Gilmore museum is practically a must see. It's a world-class collection in a great setting, with some cars you're not likely to see anywhere else.

Much of Michigan is hilly or "flat".

Model A building at the Gilmore.

I appreciate the words Charlie. Hard to believe the tour is just a few short months away.
And Steve - Great recommendation on the Gilmore. A few of us will probably stop in Dearborn Saturday morning, before the tour. The Gilmore will be another great attraction to hit also.

You also have the Piquette Factory museum in Detroit - the original home of Model T production. It's features some very early Fords and other informative displays.

Good point Tim. Thanks!

Hi Bryan,
You will have a fabulous time there on your first tour! This will be our first tour too with MTFCI! Last year we toured the Flint Hills of eastern Kansas with the MTFCA and that was our very first tour anywhere. I actually had little experience driving a Model T before that tour and I kept up well with everyone else. Had a couple friends that invited us to drive with them in case we had trouble we had help. These friends will be in the Michigan tour too, so it will be great meeting them again! I look forward to meeting you too! What I like about Cadillac is it is a relatively small town, only 10,500 population, so once you drive around town a bit, you will pretty much no where everything is.
See you in Cadillac!

Is there any cheap camping nearby?

babychadwick wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2024 12:11 am

Is there any cheap camping nearby?

Check this out... https://nebula.wsimg.com/7f066a6d326f15 ... oworigin=1


Northern District Fairgrounds
1320 N. Mitchell St.
Cadillac, MI, 49601
231-775-6361
Group rate: $200/week with electric
• Located 1.5 miles from the Comfort Inn
• Visit cadillacmichigan.com/campgrounds for
more camping options
• Trailer parking will be at the fairgrounds

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 15, 2024 9:48 am

If you're attending the tour from out of state and not likely to get back to Michigan for a long time, the Gilmore museum is practically a must see. It's a world-class collection in a great setting, with some cars you're not likely to see anywhere else.

FWIW, the Saturday following the Cadillac tour, the HCCA museum is hosting the Celebration of Brass car show at Gilmore (-actually the Celebration is going on from the 18th thru the 23rd if you are also touring with the HCCA) which also will have a pre-war swap meet. Some may want to take that in. My family will have a couple of brass cars on the Cadillac tour, so depending how worn-out we are after Gord's tour, we may stop in at the Gilmore for a little more fun that week.

https://www.museumofthehorselesscarriag ... -brass-iv/

Are there any vendors, swap meet items or other events taking place with this tour? My T is awaiting some crankshaft work but would love to enjoy some conversation. I work in Manistee so at minimum I can watch from sidewalk!!

Oldav8tor wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2024 10:10 pm

Also, to anyone who hasn't visited the area before, you might allow a couple of extra days to see the sights. A trip across the Mackinac Bridge to the UP and a boat ride to Mackinac Island would be worth the effort. BTW - Mackinac is pronounced Mack-in-naw - On the south end of the bridge is Mackinaw City... also with much to offer.

Sleeping bear dunes west of Traverse City is awesome and Leland (on Lake Michigan) was voted one of the most picturesque small towns in the US. You can probably tell that I'm proud of my home state....

I decided to take Tim's advice ...and so on our way to Michigan, we are now detouring (-about 500 miles further) a stop in Neenah -but sightseeing in Milwaukee, Manistique, Mackinaw and then down to Cadillac.

Paperman wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 25, 2024 2:11 pm

Are there any vendors, swap meet items or other events taking place with this tour? My T is awaiting some crankshaft work but would love to enjoy some conversation. I work in Manistee so at minimum I can watch from sidewalk!!

Ironically, I was talking with someone coming up from Florida and we were discussing that we should ask Brian or Gord if they can schedule one in the trailer parking area one evening or??.

Brent

If you are going thru Milwaukee, the Harley-Davidson Museum is your best stop. They also have a great restaurant. Hwy 43 north of Milwaukee is under construction and you want to avoid it if possible. Pick another route. Then on to EAA in Oshkosh which is by Neenah and on to Green Bay to see their Hall of Fame. Then have a great trip over the top and over the Mackinaw Bridge.

If your in Manistee for the day and feeling like extending your trip, Ludington is 20 miles south and host the last remaining coal power car ferry on the lakes. The Badger will arrive in Ludington around 7PM, its neat to watch a 410' steam ship run into the harbor and back into her slip. https://ssbadger.com/

Do not forget the Youth Foundation Auction to be held thursday evening at the MTFCI annual Tour.
This is an excellent opportunity for members to donate items for auction with the proceeds going to the Foundation.
A few of us (Bob Cascisa & Jeff Humble) got togather to donate to the auction a restored HCCT and nice original copy of the 1919 Engineering Magazine book Ford Methods and Ford Shops.
Ron Patterson

What location does one find the auction? Can I assume a host hotel?

Assumption correct, starts early evening.

I checked with Gord and Marcia - there will be NO parking lot sales, sorry. There are just too many activities scheduled to squeeze it in.

Ill be there on Saturday, to bad no trailer swapmeet. Ive had requests for parts so I will have these items with me, some new round and oval gas tanks, high compression heads, high volume oil line kits, and my new 280 cams.