The car was purchased new from United Motors in Adelaide in October 1971 by my Great Aunt for the princely sum of $2926.55. I know this because she kept every receipt. From the locking petrol cap at $4.23 to the Nasco mudflaps at $5.30ea. She drove the car for many years until eventually handing in her licence. The car then sat covered by a rug in her sun drench garage for many years, however she still used it regularly to sit in and read the newspaper. At age 101 she handed the car over to me to restore, alas due to the two year restoration she never got to see it completed, however she remained extremely interested in its restoration progress reports, right up until her passing. The car eventually returned to the road in 2016 and remains an absolute joy to drive!
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Comments
Motown1
Probably the most influential car ever.
MarkOastler
I hope a happy medium can be found Pony, that will inspire younger generations to maintain and drive these cars with the passion and enthusiasm those tasks require.
It's sad to think of a Model T like our owner's superb example ending up as a museum piece, collecting dust and never driven, but if younger guys and girls aren't interested then that will be the outcome.
Blinkie1
Not much we can do Mark O & PonyRider except encourage and teach so at least they know (the younger ones) it matters.
PonyRider
I hear you Blinkie, a piece of History if we had a T-Model.
PonyRider
Mark0 and JW, it's kinda sad that the youth can't get fired up about restoring the Model T,
but what has happened in a big way is Hot Rodders
building a T-Bucket Rod, which is more likely to be fibreglass than the "American iron".
Like Chris said the difficulty in driving an authentic Model T in traffic, and not being able to keep up with highway traffic at 110 kmh in places, would sour the enthusiasm somewhat.
I think there must be a happy medium there,
with perhaps having good front brakes, and a more orthodox pedal configuration but in keeping with the general appearance. The "Doctor's Coupe" is my favourite of the Model T.
Blinkie1
When I first drove one with the pedal gear change on the floor was only eighteen, long long time ago now though, wish I had one now too would be fun me thinks bro!
PonyRider
Henry had a brain-wave with the Model T.
An Icon. Simple component set-up, perfect.
I think it would take a bit of concentration to drive one today, with the pedals in a different configuration, eh Blinkie ?
Blinkie1
Straight forward me thought unless your a young man like us, (not)!!!
LilFellaofOz
Great story depicting one of the most important cars in auto history.
LilFellaofOz
My brother's first car was a built up model T. One of the best cars in the mud.
DrJohnWright
This was absolutely the oldest car to appear in our SCTV episodes or in Classic Garage and Racing Garage.
MarkOastler
Where would the world be without the Model T? Not only the world's most significant car but also, surely, one of the greatest industrial achievements of the 20th century.
Blinkie1
A wise but very truthful comment there Mark.
MercedesFreak
Another fantastic episode on the Model T keep them coming. :) :) :)
Blinkie1
Cheers for this one guys, the 'Model T' was different but yet a beaut to drive. Remember driving one many years ago now and having to reverse up the hill to get petrol to front, was a fun drive!