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The Model T


smart142

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Over a hundred years ago the Ford Model T was introduced to the world. It became ''the car of the 20th century!''.

 

Henry Ford said, ''"I will build a car for the great multitude. It will be large enough for the family, but small enough for the individual to run and care for. It will be constructed of the best materials, by the best men to be hired, after the simplest designs that modern engineering can devise. But it will be so low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one – and enjoy with his family the blessing of hours of pleasure in God's great open spaces."

 

It quickly became prized for its low cost, durability, versatility, and ease of maintenance. More than 15 million Model Ts were built.

 

A month ago I had the pleasure of visiting the Ford museum and Greenfield village in Dearborn Michigan.

While there I had the pleasure of driving in a Model T. That cost me $5 but it was well worth it. Riding in a piece of history that transformed the world!!!!

 

I did some reading and was impressed even more.

The model T internet clubs are very active and info about them is astonishing!

Parts are still availible and running cars can still be bought. And of course Jay Leno owns one....click here

 

I was also pleased to discover that over 750,000 model T's were built in Walkerville Ontario.

So, with the blessing of Liz, I have begun my search for a Canadian made Model T touring.

Wish me luck.

ps. the Ontario chapter of the Model T club is meeting in Niagara this Sunday.click here.

We'll be there to check it out :D

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I've always wanted a Model T as well. I fell in love when at a Michigan car show some years back. Someone had a fully restored Walkerville car, very early, and from the brass era (lots of polishing going on there). It had the white tires and as it drove around the golf course, you could see how well suited it was for uneven terrain.We were in Uxbridge two weekends ago and a Touring was at the Tim Horton's. A few minutes later, I thought I saw the Touring entering the parking lot where we had gone to across the street for ice cream. No, it turned out to be a second one! They were travelling around visiting various towns. Two in one day.I could probably drive one around the roads near Oshawa, but they don't go very fast which is good because the standard brakes aren't too good either. There is a modification for "Rocky Mountain brakes" and a two speed rear end. Like the smarts, there are all kinds of things to "mod" on a "T".Diesel Dave mentioned that he has a "T" recently. Can't remember if he said it was a Touring.

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My friend Michel Verdier in France has a decent car collection, not the least of which is of the Model T Ford. In fact, just last weekend he was at a Model T rally in France with one of his cars. His other vintage car interest is Peugeot 404s, which is how I met him 25 years ago.

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OMG!!!!!! I'm in shock! Our offer was accepted for the model ''T'' on Monday and the car was delivered yesterday!!

 

and yesterday Diesel Dave and Pam came for a visit. They drove their ''T'' from Hamilton.That was incredible and then Dave helped us become familiar with our ''T''!

 

What a vehicle! I now own a piece of history! Liz and I are very excited

!I'll try to post some pics later.

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Congrats on the T Glenn, I know when we met you were expecting to wait a little while, guess the owners was ready to sell. I am sure you will enjoy it ( just don't neglect the smarts, they'll make you pay).

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What is the top speed? Are any period modifications possible? I would like a prewar car one day too, but if it wouldn't do 100 km/h I would have to think twice!

Top speed is 64 km/h, cruising speed is probably around 50. We didn't buy it for the speed :biglaugh: There are lots of modifications available, the ''T'' was the car that started the modification industry. And everything is still available! Now I have to get reaquainted with gas engines with plugs, coils, and weird carbs. Yesterday my garage was a 2 ''T'' garage :D

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We've had the T for a week now and are still getting acquainted.

Lizzy is ''moody'' and starts when she wants.

 

However today was a good day and we got the spark advance, the throttle and carb setting just right and off we went.

All the controls are different from modern cars. Left peddle is like a clutch but you push in to go. Middle peddle is reverse, also a push in, and transmission brake is on the right.

 

On the steering column the right lever is the throttle, and the left lever is the spark advance.

The large hand lever on the left is for park, neutral and tranny engage.

 

Confused? I was!

We kept the speed down, toured the neighbourhood, and topped her up with fuel.

 

Tomorrow I'll do an oil change and then do a chassis lube.

It seems like we have a very good running ''T''! She puts a smile on the face of people who see her putt by :D

 

And today was the first day that Liz drove Lizzie! :spot:

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Here's the pedals Glenn was referring to earlier. This particular car is a 1912. Anyone wanting to see more, the group will be based in Woodstock for the rest of this week. They will be in the Waterloo / St. Jabobs area on Tuesday, Stratford on Wednesday, near Port Burwell on Thursday and Tillsonburg on Friday.

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  • 3 weeks later...

I was pleased to learn that parts are readily available and very reasonable.

 

The lens in the tail light was broken- $8.55, the lower windshield $50, springs for clutch, reverse, and brake $0.55 each.

 

The exhaust cannister $70, but I repaired it for less than $10.

A complete wiring harness $155 (not needed)

 

There is a company just outside Buffalo NY that has a huge warehouse and I checked it out on Thursday- MACS. They have 3 ''T''s in the showroom and a vintage mustang, pictures below..

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