Some of you may remember my dad, David Ireland. He read these forums multiple times a day — EVERY day. Posted a few times. Answered many questions. And like many of us, he learned a lot here too.
Our family’s T is a 1926 Ford Model T Touring that has been in the family for over 60 years, passing through three generations of owners — and soon to be six generations of riders.
It started with my Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa, who never owned it but rode in it often after my Grandpa Jim Ireland bought it in 1961. The car was a rusted, disassembled relic behind a barn near Ethel, Missouri, purchased from the sons of its original owner, Oscar Lewis, for $15. Grandpa Jim, his brother Harvey, my dad Dave, and my uncle Pat worked together in an old farm garage in rural Lee County, Iowa to bring it back to life.
Dad bought it from Grandpa Jim in 1999, got it back on the road after a long hibernation, and made countless memories driving it in parades, club tours, and shows. When Dad passed away in 2024, the T came to me. This weekend, my 6-month-old grandson will be getting his very first ride — making him the sixth generation of Irelands to ride in this car.
To honor Dad’s memory and the legacy of this T, I put together a short video using family photos, home movie clips, and an original song. I thought some of you might enjoy seeing the car’s story and maybe even spot a few Model T moments you’ve lived yourselves.
📽 Watch the video here: https://bit.ly/MyDadsT
Tribute Video
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Herb Iffrig
- Posts: 1687
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:47 am
- First Name: Herb
- Last Name: Iffrig
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Torpedo, 1918 TT Hucksters
- Location: St. Peters, MO
Re: Tribute Video
Very well done. Thank you for making the video. And thank you for posting it here.
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George House
- Posts: 2840
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:25 pm
- First Name: George
- Last Name: House
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: ‘10 Maxwell AA, ‘11Hupp Model 20, Two 1914 Ford runabouts, 19 centerdoor, 25 C Cab,26 roadster
- Location: Northern Caldwell County TX
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Tribute Video
Beautiful tribute video Matt. Thank you for sharing the story of the family’s heirloom. And you’re blessed that so many generational ‘hands’ became involved in the T’s restoration and maintenance 
A Fine is a Tax for Doing Something Wrong….A Tax is a Fine for Doing Something RIGHT 
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Will
- Posts: 139
- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 5:58 pm
- First Name: Will
- Last Name: Copeland
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915, 1919, 1923 TT
- Location: Melbourne Florida
- Board Member Since: 2001
Re: Tribute Video
Wow, It takes a lot to get me to cry but you did it. What an amazing tribute to your dad.
As Tom Sellick told Marston in the movie Quigley Down Under, I told you I dont have much use for handguns, I never said I didn't know how to use them!
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Lil Teezy
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2019 2:01 pm
- First Name: Chris
- Last Name: Levi
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 touring 1927 roadster
- Location: Boulder, Co.
- Board Member Since: 2017
Re: Tribute Video
It’s more than wheels and gasoline! Incredible job on the tribute video, choked up and let a few tears go myself. Exactly why I’m changing my roadster to a touring car. Thanks for sharing with us. -Chris, in Boulder
Last edited by Lil Teezy on Fri Aug 08, 2025 11:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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John Codman
- Posts: 1512
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:27 am
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Codman
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Youring
- Location: Naples, FL 34120
Re: Tribute Video
If I ever decide to have a video done, I will know who to call.
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Norman Kling
- Posts: 4651
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:39 pm
- First Name: Norman
- Last Name: Kling
- Location: Alpine California
Re: Tribute Video
I wish my family were like yours concerning the Model T. We are close friends, however they are not interested in my Model T's. They have learned to drive it, but don't want to inherit it. We have two great grandkids coming to visit us two weeks from new and they are interested in riding in it. So maybe when they get old enough to drive might be interested in inheriting it and joining the club?
Norm
Norm
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Aussie16
- Posts: 267
- Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 9:24 pm
- First Name: Warwick
- Last Name: Landy
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 RHD Canadian Touring 1916 Pickup 1926 Fordor 1925 Dalgety Tourer 1916 Speedster
- Location: Trarlagon Victoria Australia
Re: Tribute Video
What a spectacular tribute. A special unique song about a special man and car! Well done. He would be proud.
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Daisy Mae
- Posts: 363
- Joined: Mon May 06, 2024 9:32 pm
- First Name: Kurt
- Last Name: Andersson
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring
- Location: Panama City Beach, FL
Re: Tribute Video
Wow.....
Its what we all wish for, to have/create a common bond, but for which not all are blessed with the current generations.
None of our 4 kids have expressed any interest or desire for my Model A Roadster or T Touring. One already inherited my Mustang, one wants my Jeep Grand Wagoneer, daughter wants our VW camper bus, but nobody wants the antiques. Heck, I had purchased my A years ago from a ONE owner extensive family where none of them wanted the car!! That seems tragic to me. Been in their family since new....nobody.
Our grandkids however, love our antiques (who doesn't love being in a parade, or going for ice cream, right?). The youngest calls them PopPop's motor cars. The eldest however (10) has decided its cool to hang with me in the shop, so Ive put him to work to instill a deeper connection. There's hope yet for a legacy!
Your video, and your song, is quite a tribute to your family. Reflects a lot of love, and tugs at the old heartstrings.
Love it!
Its what we all wish for, to have/create a common bond, but for which not all are blessed with the current generations.
None of our 4 kids have expressed any interest or desire for my Model A Roadster or T Touring. One already inherited my Mustang, one wants my Jeep Grand Wagoneer, daughter wants our VW camper bus, but nobody wants the antiques. Heck, I had purchased my A years ago from a ONE owner extensive family where none of them wanted the car!! That seems tragic to me. Been in their family since new....nobody.
Our grandkids however, love our antiques (who doesn't love being in a parade, or going for ice cream, right?). The youngest calls them PopPop's motor cars. The eldest however (10) has decided its cool to hang with me in the shop, so Ive put him to work to instill a deeper connection. There's hope yet for a legacy!
Your video, and your song, is quite a tribute to your family. Reflects a lot of love, and tugs at the old heartstrings.
Love it!
Call me anything you want...just so long as it isn't "late for dinner"
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JTT3
- Posts: 1863
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:57 am
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Tannehill
- Location: Hot Coffee, MS
Re: Tribute Video
If that don’t move you, you ain’t alive. Great video and original song(?). Who wrote it and sang it? Best John
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Sean Butler
- Posts: 171
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:22 pm
- First Name: Sean
- Last Name: Butler
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Touring
- Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Re: Tribute Video
Extremely well done on all aspects. Putting things like that together take a lot of time. Thanks for sharing!
Sean Butler
Huntington Beach, CA
Huntington Beach, CA
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mireland
Topic author - Posts: 21
- Joined: Mon Nov 25, 2024 12:54 pm
- First Name: Matt
- Last Name: Ireland
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Touring
- Location: Adel, IA
Re: Tribute Video
I wrote an article for the paper then asked AI to create the lyrics, audio, voice. Then I used iMovie to add motor sounds, videos, and pictures.
It is original. But sang by AI voice.
Last edited by mireland on Mon Aug 11, 2025 1:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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JTT3
- Posts: 1863
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:57 am
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Tannehill
- Location: Hot Coffee, MS
Re: Tribute Video
That ability is way past my pay grade! Good on you!
Best John
Best John
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mireland
Topic author - Posts: 21
- Joined: Mon Nov 25, 2024 12:54 pm
- First Name: Matt
- Last Name: Ireland
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Touring
- Location: Adel, IA
Re: Tribute Video
I was asked to create a tribute article for the local newspaper. I put the article in to AI and asked AI to create original song lyrics and then another AI tool to create the music and vocals to go along with the new lyrics. That created the music. Then I used iMovie to add the photos, videos, and a couple of additional sounds tracks of the T-Motor running layered on top for richness.