Just got back from our trip down south to show our Model T at the Fabulous Fords Forever Car Show at Knott's Berry Farm. We had a truly memorable time!
Although we were the only vintage Model T that attended, over 1900 other beautiful Fords were also on display - there was definitely a wide variety of cars being shown (all years and all models) and something for everyone. The organizers did a really good job!
We started our day with an 8 mile drive from Anaheim to Buena Park, nice and early in the morning. My wife's cousins had entered their 1956 Ford pickup as well so we made the trip together.
When we arrived, the line was around the corner down La Palma, from Stanton to Beach Blvd, with all the cars in attendance on parade to the many onlookers in the area. People seemed astonished to see the T in the line of all the Fords making their way in.
Once we made it to our parking spot about 20 minutes later, we were surprised to be approached by one of the show's organizers who said that, because of the age of the vehicle (100 years old this year), they wanted to move it to the pavilion to be displayed at the Ford Luncheon along with a 2012 Boss 302 Laguna Seca Mustang.
They gave us passes to attend the luncheon during which we got to meet Steve Saleen, John Force, Courtney Force, Brittany Force, Robert Hight, Linda Vaughn and, who I was most excited to meet, Henry Ford III. I found him very humble and his story really interesting.
I have to say, everything was great but the best part of the day was having so many people who had never seen a Model T before be so excited and interested in the car. I had lots of people take pictures of the car and ask a lot of questions - it was really great to be able to represent for an underrepresented classic. We were really glad that we went and we may try to attend again next year (if my wife can get the time off, that is).
I am attaching some pictures of the Model T and some others from the event.
Steve
Got a fun speedster there Steve. Fun aren't they ?
Glad you had fun.
George, they sure are!!! I've only had it running for the last year (it sat for 20 years prior in my mom's garage after my grandfather couldn't drive it anymore) so I'm still figuring it all out. It's been bringing us a whole lot of enjoyment!!
Steve
Steve, that's what model T'ing is all about.
Did you challenge John Force to a drag race?
If he gave you a head start - maybe 1/4 hour - and you both had to start your vehicles it would make an interesting race.
Good deal Steve. The speedster looks great! Sounds like you were the celebrity of the whole show. Now aren't you glad you didn't listen to the "Nattering nabobs of negativism".
Thanks for the great photos.
Where's Linda Vaughn?
Awesome Steve. Beautiful Car. What a Day!
Thanks, guys, for all the positive feedback. I really appreciate it and had such a great time!
Fred - Didn't challenge him to a drag race until he'd put a crank on his drag racer ... it'd only be fair that way, right!? ;)
J Berch - Everyone was mobbing her for pictures so I didn't get an individual picture with her but I did get a close up of the whole group. I did get her autograph (and everyone else's) for my scrapbook. She looked really amazing!
(Left to Right) Steve Saleen, Robert High, Linda Vaughn, Henry Ford III, Courtney Force, Brittany Force and John Force
Steve: All I can say is WOW! Really, I am speechless. Congratulations!!!
Way to go Steve! I'm with John here, I like the picture with Linda best! Sounds like it was a hoot, I bet your are VERY glad you went. Dave
That's a lot of force on the right
Glad to see the organizers of the event understood there wouldn't be a 'Fabulous Fords' event if it wasn't for a Fabulous Ford like yours, that's a beauty! I'm a drag racing 'junkie' I'd have walked through a mile of cow dung to meet the Force family. There's a show on TV called 'Pass Time' where the contestants try to guess the elapsed time of the drag racers. I've often thought about entering my 27 Tudor, I'm sure I could do the quarter mile in under 30 seconds. It would be cute to replace the spare tire with a drag chute.
Guess I'm in the dark ages--the only name there I know is Henry Ford III--oh and Snoopy. Very cool that you had such a great time. Interesting that both cars have red wheels!
T'
David D.
Steve - Fantastic "write-up" and photos! You and that really nice speedster of yours are wonderful "ambassadors" for our hobby. Thanks for the great post!
WAY TO GO STEVE! Great Car! I have never had that good of luck but I do find sometimes a model T can really stand out in crowd and always gets it's share of attention at most any shows.