Outside T Museum

[John kuehn]

On page 29 of the Jan-Feb Vintage Ford magazine there is a photo of the Cloud Museum in California. It’s supposed to have to have a collection of 170 Model T’s. They are mostly in the rusting condition shown and being shown outside. I can remember growing up in the 50’s and 60’s seeing Model T’s and the remains of other old cars on roadsides and car lots in this area in Texas. It didn’t take to long for them to slowly weather away and especially the Model T’s since they had wood body structures and canvas tops. To each their own about the Model T’s they own and how they store or keep them. A wrecking yard is one thing but complete cars is another.

[Scott_Conger]

Cloud Museum, Bard, CA.

Those rusty cars you see were rusty 40+ years ago when they were dragged in out of the desert - and are still pretty much in the same shape as when they were found/acquired. Things just don't deteriorate there like everywhere else in the world.

I don't know a thing about Johnnie Cloud now, but when I was working at the Yuma Proving Ground one summer, the old boss of the shop where MRAPS were being serviced/repaired/upgraded for testing, was a friend of Johnnies and once he heard I was a Model T guy, (he was an "A" guy) he got me a personal tour. I can assure you that there are even more cars and wonderous things to see INSIDE. Johnnie had just gotten married and apologized for not getting back to me sooner for me to visit (Ya think??)

I always appreciated his kindness to let me in on the off season and he spent quite a bit of time with me - a real gentleman.

FWIW - Castle Dome Mine Museum & Ghost Town is a must-see visit when out there, too.

[jsaylor]

I understand many of them will run. When I was there several years ago he wheeled out a battery cart hocked it up and started one of the rusty cars. He has some nice restored cars in a dirt floor barn but they were all dusty. Back when the Bakersfield swap was still in Bakersfield, I have seen Johnnie at the meet looking for parts to get more of them running.
Have also visited the Castle Dome Mine Museum & Ghost Town. It is a quit the place.

[Allan]

I have found great variations in the placement of the oiler hole in the spring eye. Having it squarely on top is less than usual in many cases. Perhaps this is am indication that many main leaves are replacements not necessarily with Ford factory parts.
Allan from down under