MTFCA Forum

Hello,
I’m a new member to this forum and also to the world of the Model T. My name is Joshua, I’m 47, divorced father to a kiddo that turns 18 in a few weeks, and an A&P/IA helicopter field mechanic by trade. I live in Hillsboro Oregon and work for a helicopter company in Northern California. I absolutely love what I do because it’s exciting, challenging, allows me to troubleshoot and maintain amazing machines, and really feeds my desire to have a great attention to detail.

I was informed of this forum by a Mr. Robert Middleton. I was given Mr. Middleton’s information from a Mr. Ron Pizer. I was put in contact with Mr. Pizer from my close friend Kyle Bushman. Mr. Middleton and Mr. Pizer were both very kind and helpful, and have extended the invitation to reach out to them with any questions I may have. I appreciate being a part of enthusiast groups who share a common interest. I’m a member of a local Corvette club and own a 2004 C5 Corvette and while I’m one of the youngest members, I feel very welcomed and love participating in the club events whenever I’m able.

I perform almost all the work on my own cars, and I enjoy working on everything from sewing machines to motorcycles, to helicopters and antique airplanes.

About 6 years ago I drove a Tuk Tuk (7hp, 2 stroke, pull start) 2000 miles across India. It was a great adventure. It was a 3 speed with a top speed of about 35mph, maybe 40 if you were going downhill. I had a few breakdowns but that was part of the fun. Getting up every day and not having a clue what was in store or how far I’d make it.

I find that as I’m getting older I am regressing with my use and enjoyment of technology. I have been learning film photography using a vintage 1960’s Rolleiflex wide camera and documenting my improvement in a photo album with notations being made on my 1937 Royal Deluxe typewriter.

I have a strong desire to find myself an old Model T that I can drive from Oregon to New York, and then take the Cannonball Run route back to California, and then drive it on back up the Pacific Coast Highway to home through the Redwoods. After that adventure I want to continue driving it very regularly, and take it on many long distance trips. I can’t explain why I have the desire to do this, I only know that I must do it.

I don’t know much (yet) about the Model T but I want to find one that isn’t fancy, that needs some love, and one that is craving for a life on the open road and a life of actual use and not just gathering dust in a garage or hangar or even worse, rotting in a field somewhere.

I’ve seen many really beautiful examples for sale and while I’m sure they would be a dream to drive, I feel that having one that’s a cream puff wouldn’t give me the opportunity to learn all I need to in order to be a proficient mechanic/caretaker. I also feel that taking a really nice one on this journey would be much easier than taking one that was a little more “rough” around the edges. I like challenges.

I am not looking for a basket case, nor am I looking for one that is too nice. I would like to find one that’s complete, preferably with the original engine. I don’t want to modify it unless it’s something period correct or internal that helps longevity but can’t really be seen. I appreciate resto-mods and custom cars for what they are but I really love stock vehicles and want to keep mine as original as I can.

I’m trying to keep the purchase price on the lower end, with the understanding and expectation that where I’ll be saving money is in my labor and doing the work myself. I love learning and I’m a good mechanic with great troubleshooting skills. I work hard, take notes, and have a thirst for knowledge.
When I find the T that’s meant for me, I plan on keeping it until I’m too old to care for it anymore. This isn’t a fix and flip. This is a fix and use. I’m not expecting charity, but I’m on the lookout for a good deal.

Thank you for listening to my ramble if you made it this far, and I appreciate any advice or pointers in my search for my T.

Welcome to the hobby, and welcome to the forum.

All the best with your search and I do look forward to hearing how you get on in the adventure.

A page to start looking for an introduction to the T is: https://www.dauntlessgeezer.com/DG52.html

The Encyclopaedia section at this site is also full of information too.

Welcome! It appears that you have a great adventure ahead of you, (and several behind you as well!). Good luck in your search for a T capable of your plans.

FWIW, since you're exploring old tech, have a look into antique, wind-up phonographs as well.

With your range of skills and interests, you're very well equipped to enjoy owning and driving a Model T.

I can touch on a number of points here- At 53 I often feel like the youngest “old car guy”. I use tools designed and built in the thirties and forties at work and see the kids either shaking their heads in confusion or smiling sympathetically at the novel approach. I also like to get out of my routine and travel with no schedule or guarantee of success by taking off road trips into the high country and desert west. Driving a model T as my daily has become my favorite part of my day. I have a short commute across a small town and people really love to see the car!
My strongest suggestion tho, as a still relatively new T owner myself, is to buy a car that has already had most systems rebuilt even if it’s not your favorite year or body style. I started with a partially restored basket case and two unrestored, barn find cars as a way to spend a little bit of money, a little at a time. I really wanted a 27 roadster and at the time there weren’t many on the shelf and none in my budget. As fun as it was to set up a car from scratch (‘cause hanging out with Dave Huson every weekend for a year was an absolute hoot! ) it took way more time and way way way more money than buying a tour ready T. They definitely sell for less than it takes to restore them, like all old cars, but sort of “top out” relatively low on the cool/cost chart. As unfortunate as that is, it’s a reality for car lovers, we just take it on the chin and start another one, right? The model T really is about the least expensive old car to build and maintain but going through all the running gear one piece at a time for the first time is definitely pretty costly. I frequently see really nice completed cars for sale at a fraction of the cost of building mine. So if you can finance it or drop a big chunk at the outset you will be well ahead. Don’t worry, you will still have plenty of reasons to spend time playing with it!
The other really useful thing that I didn’t expect to have so much value was the set of Vintage Ford magazines that came with the project. Reading all the stories from the tours over the years and the technical articles about the different systems was extremely enlightening, I felt like I already knew what was wrong as problems arose. Seems like every tour article described some type of break down, the roadside fix made possible by the fraternity created from like minded-ness and the proper repairs done later on. The daily play by play made it seem more imperative than novel for these folks to get out driving and make it happen! If you follow this forum you will start to see the same issues discussed and can be prepared to deal by understanding them before they come up. As simple as the T is there are a lot of subtleties that have no real parallel experiences and can be frustrating for sure (guess how I know…) The original service manuals and related books are obviously important to own but having a big library of real life stories added a facet of understanding that I’m not sure I could ever drive enough to really encounter.
From my experience the Model T community is one of the most generous, thoughtful and intelligent groups of people you could ever be a part of. Regardless of your level of exposure there is always something to learn and someone willing to teach it. The handful of vendors and shops that cater to these is definitely a small faction but it’s made up of really well informed and righteous experts always willing to help. Combining that with all the inherent local knowledge compiled by regional clubs it’s the most “all are welcome” and “we’ve got you covered” hobby or lifestyle or whatever you want to call it I’ve ever encountered. Good luck and have fun hunting the classifieds! Easy to rant on the joy of having T that’s for sure! -Chris, in Boulder.

Intriguing discussion with real good advice.

Welcome to a whole new world of technology.

I highly recommend starting with a car that has a solid body and fits your level of presentable. However nice you want it to be from painted with patina to perfect. Likewise it should be running well. A Ruckstell is terrific when you hit hills. Dead stock is great and brings you to a whole new world. Some of the drive train can be related to more modern cars but there is no real equivalent to the joys of a T ignition. The original magneto, coils and timer can be great when properly set up but can be a challenge as well. There are tools to help with setup.

Get the service manual as well as the other books for the engine etc from the MTFCA. Great reading and ideas and eventually you will need them.

Best Wishes

In addition to this forum - join a local club. Terrific resource of knowledge, experience, encouragement as well as parts and or cars.