Although this is an award from the MTFCI I thought it appropriate to post here. This is one way for us to get our kids interested in Model T's. It is also a great way to memorialize Jimmy Walker, who passed away at a young age.

I personally witnessed him driving. Congratulations to your family and young driver. Jimmy Walker was a close personal friend of mine and we still miss him in our Midwest Chapter. It was said of Jim at his funeral that "he was the first to show up if you asked for help but was also the first to show up if you needed help and didn't ask"

Rest in peace Jim. Dave's boy carries on the spirit as do many others.

Congratulations Dave! You and your family can be really proud of him. And I would guess there is a great chance that Model Ts will always be special to him.

Many of us get involved with old cars for various reasons. Folks like the late Jimmy Walker can be such and encouragement and help to us by making owning or driving our T a lot more fun. Folks like you and others who take the time to answer questions on and off the forum help others get started or keep going with their projects or cars. But I think for many of us it was when “Daddy Let Me Drive” that we really got hooked.

I still remember the many times my Dad would talk to me about riding with his Dad – my Grandfather in their Model T. My Dad would constantly ask if he could drive or if Granddaddy was tired and wanted to be spelled a little. And since they were just driving to town which wasn’t that far away – it was obviously just another way of asking “can I drive now?” Dad talked about the joy he had as a young boy in Arkansas when my Grandfather would pull over and let him slip behind the wheel. Dad would drive the T the short distance down the dusty dirt road to the blacksmith shop Granddaddy ran. And I remember riding with my Dad and asking him the same type questions. And fortunately for me, my Dad took the time to teach me to drive the T. First he demonstrated how with him driving followed by him letting me try it and Dad riding shotgun. (There were a few times he saved me and the car by pushing the gas lever back up). Finally as I got older he let me drive it solo just about any time I wanted to but I was not allowed to cross the busy four lane road without him in the car.

I’ve posted the following link before which takes you to Alan Jackson’s country song “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” I think many of you will enjoy it. And if you look closely the last photo shows Alan Jackson’s Dad. The song takes me back to a time when I was much younger but it also reminds me of my own children and how I too hope they look back with fond memories about “When Daddy Let Me Drive.” After the song finishes playing be sure to close it out as they are not arranged in a “theme” order. The next one may easily over shadow the thoughts and feelings I you experience also. And I would recommend don’t watch it at work (I hate to cry at work). (And yes, I believe it is a reputable web site- virus free as far as my anti-virus checker can tell). http://www.cmt.com/videos/alan-jackson/58990/drive-for-daddy-gene.jhtml

Is there someone in your life you might want to invest some additional time with and “Let them drive?”

Gratefully submitted,

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