Woohoo! I’ve wanted to learn how to drive one of these for ages. It’s the T my uncle built when he was 12 (he wanted to have a car by the time he got his license at 16) and it’s a vintage 1926 all-black classic. Not one of those tricked out cars in high-gloss zodiac blue that you see at car shows. It’s a real, working vintage T. Woohoo! 
I know a Colorado rancher that’s rebuilt 6 Model As (in addition to a number of Bel Airs, a Silver Shadow, 1904 Cadillac, etc, etc). They’re his babies that he’ll never sell. To him there’s nothing else like an A, his absolute passion and he still feeds his cows from one every day… his reliable vehicle of choice.
You’re in for a treat, Fish. Will Cervaise be with you? You’d mentioned before y’all were brothers.
I haven’t told Cervaise about this, though I imagine he’ll see this thread. Father’s Day weekend our uncle had taken some parts back to Portland to repair. The radiator was leaking and the emergency brake handle wasn’t working. A few other bits and bolts needed work.
He actually got it all repaired quicker than I’d thought, so last night he invited me out to my grandparents’ place where the T is stored. I’ll be there Sunday to try out the ol’ girl (the car, I mean) once he gives her a thorough going-over and all her sagging parts put back into place (the car, again).
With some cars the beauty lies in the design lines, sound of a powerful engine, degree of evolution, etc.
With Ts & As, the beauty lies in the simplicity of design, straightforwardness of purpose, awakening of innovation, etc.
Dude, what a treat. I’m quite jealous.
You already know about the accelerator stick and the reverse-gear pedal, right?
AHunter3, I’ve ridden in this car dozens of times. I’ve watched it be driven by others, and yes, I’ve seen the throttle is on the steering wheel column and the “clutch” is also the reverse gear. (In fact, this T has two gears in reverse.) I can’t wait!
I’ll try to get some pictures, lieu. His car is a thing of beauty—a bit beat up, a bit creaky, but nearly all original parts. (Only the trunk lid is a fiberglas replica; only a few engine bits have been modernized, like the fuel pump; the car has a magneto instead of a spark lever.) I hope my brother can come down for the 4th this weekend and give it a spin himself. It’s a long drive for him, though, so we’ll see.
You’ll have to get under, get out and get under,
To fix your little machine!
Although you’re dying to cuddle your queen–
Every minute, when you begin it,
You’ll have to get under, get out and get under,
Then you’ll get back at the wheel!
A dozen times you’ll start to hug and kiss,
But then the durned old engine, it will miss
And you’ll have to get under, get out and get under,
To fix your little machine!
Man, when you drive a car like this you REALLY appreciate modern cars! The old “T” had quite a few quirks:
-the mechanical brake linkage (old Henry Ford didn’t believe in hydraulic brakes)-you had to adjust thie link rods DAILY! or you might NOT be able to stip the car!=the primitive planetary transmission…reverse was fun ,and if the grade was too steep. the engine will stall (because the fuel is gravity fed-NO fuel pump)
Add to that the ignition system.if the vibrator sticks,you have NO ignition…just DON’T touch the secondary circuit while adjusting…the 40,000 volt spark will knock you acroos the road!
Still considering the times, the Model T was a marvel of engineering…and you could buy a new one for $175.00! 