MTFCA Forum

I’m proud...

Folks often question can the T ‘affliction’ move down through the generations. Here are some pic’s to show that it can.

Backstory, over 40 years I collected a ‘few’, to the point some were definitely garage-queens since I never sold anything along the way. My youngest son placed ‘dibs’ on the ’15 Roadster years ago...and my answer was ‘yeah, yeah, someday’. A few years ago he approached me with the idea of taking actual stewardship of the ’15 with promises to keep it up and to have him and his growing family enjoy it. My answer was, ‘yeah, yeah, someday...but I’ll think about it sooner rather than later.’ His brother later chimed in, “The ’25 Fordor? That was my baby buggy right? Let me put ‘dibs on that one." ‘Yeah, yeah, someday’.

While I was in Florida, the ’25 magically moved out of my house up north and into the older son workshop...he sent me pictures...lol. Then one day not long after I look out the front door of the Florida house and there at my curb is one of those Australian kneel-down trailers...with a ’15 Roadster riding comfy. “Gee, that looks like mine” and then the driver got out...oldest son...he and his bro’ had decided that stewardship changes were in order and he was on his way to his brothers house in Land O Lakes, Florida to drop off the '15! We all had a good chuckle over this ‘purloining’ and chatted about their Grandpop who started the whole thing when he bought a ’26 Coupe now 50+ years ago and would have been glad to see the pass through to the next generation.

To my amazement and surprise, the ’15 under new stewardship, an original low mileage car, gets to go and have fun lots more than I ever had it out! Seriously. My son sends me pictures of his outings he does when I’m up North. This weekend, I get a picture of the Lakeland Florida car show...car looks very sharp for an old girl. His Grandpop would be proud, as am I. Anyone else have generational stories to share?

Try 4th generation my grandson at 7 loves the RPU and will tell you it is his.

Hey George... Yesterday was the yearly Country Living Days Festival at the Batsto State Forest here in New Jersey.... And we both had our cars there a few years ago for that event. I believe you did get some replacement coils from a vendor that turned out, not really electrically calibrated. We solved that at your house and that problem was eliminated.

Hey Moxie,

Sorry I missed Country Living Days...but it sure was a beautiful day (we are up north) and we found ourselves doing the Woodstown Central Railroad in deep South Jersey for the leaf peeper ride in a 1931 fully restored and like new Jersey Central consist through the woods. If I ever find where they do their resto work...I might have a new hobby 'job' when up north! LOL

The '15 shown down Florida way now is of course the same one you did the coils on...still starts on Mag with but a few pre-pulls! The '19 Hack is now down in FL also. The other T stuff is still in Jersey, but down Vineland way at son Jeff's.

This is not exactly the same, but when I read dire predictions implicit in the lack of interest among younger folks, I think of guys like Stephen, Jeron, and Seamus, who just drove two Model T's to Hershey and back to Michigan, and younger but less traveled T guys in Nevada, Tennessee, California, Kansas, and other states, all getting their feet wet just recently, I don't worry about all these old cars becoming just static museum displays. If you happen to be in that category of young guys who haven't yet been bit by the Model T travel bug, be aware that there's at least one old man pulling for you to get in on the fun.

I guess im a 3rd generation too. My grandpa, my uncle, and now me.
Younger folks are out there that like this sort of thing. Not all of us want to sit in the basement eating chips and playing video games! I get tired of that stereotype. As Steve Jelf says, Model T people have never been an overwhelming part of their generation. We've always been that small majority.
Things need to be overcome for some that are more important than a 100 year old car. Things like food, water and a place to live, not to mention a job, come before a model t.
Younger folks need to get a chance to get established a bit first. I would probably not be doing as much model t stuff myself if i went the traditional route out of high school and have gone to college. I decided earn money and learn by doing, rather than pay to read a book. Otherwise i wouldnt be driving my T 3 times week and going on a few tours either!
Dont get too discouraged that there aren't 1,000,000 kids waiting at the gates for the chance to buy a Model T. There never has, and probably never will be, but nonetheless, there are younger folks out there who like going 35 in a 60mph world.

1925 Touring ...... Well written and appreciated ..... Your last paragraph brings to mind what we're all faced with in this world right now, and that is disregard totally of some people of speed limits on our roads...... Possibly these people think that if you don't do the limit you are traveling too slow .... The posted speed limit signs tell you what the top speed is ........,and with what we went through with covid, and the schools being closed, and neglecting teaching young drivers, could possibly have led to this contribution of disregard for public safety.....that you can go slower.... but someone on the road department has determined safe speeds for that part of the road. Irrational tailgaters and " Karens " of the road contribute to accidents and deaths.

None of my kids have shown, or spoke of, any interest in either my A or T.
One of my sons has already 'inherited' my Mustang, the other son has put his claim on my Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and one daughter wants the VW camper bus.

The ones who do show an active interest in the old cars are actually my grandkids!! The eldest is 10, and loves working on the cars with me, Makes for priceless teaching moments, and I have a feeling it will be the grandkids who will fight over "PopPop's old motorcars". No matter the vintage, I think all my vehicles will remain in the family.

My 22 yo youngest son had my 1916 pickup out of the garage and running today before he casually asked if he could take his girlfriend our for lunch. I was very happy to have him use it. He is a third generation Model T driver.

3rd generation here. Originally purchased by my grandfather in the early 50’s.