Hi Garrett, I know you got a little bruised but there are still folks on this forum that will work with you. Ask your questions and pay attention to the answers. Most folks here like to help and will go out of there way for the younger guys. Hope you get a car and your dad helps you. See ya, Scott
He's still with us, and has posted on a few threads. Some of his crackpot notions differ from my own crackpot notions, but he's a good lad.
Robert, I am still here.
I got "suspended", emailed Chris and he said he didn't do anything, so I re-registered with a new username. Re-registering worked like a charm.
What upset me is Luke Dahlinger. We made up though and now we're friends (not best friends, but not enemies )
To think of it, Luke Dahlinger isn't as a bad of a person and he's actually pretty friendly. He knows a ton of stuff about how Ford Motor Co. began like I do and he knows a lot more about Ford Model T's than I do. He actually has a pretty informational website on them, and I highly recommend checking his website out.
If I do ever get banned from this website or this website is down, you can still find me on MTFCA forums and Ford Barn. If you want to contact me through e-mail, my email is garrett.fuller@tinlizzieonline.com
Also, I have a website called Tin Lizzie Central, just re-made it. It too has a discussions forum that I'm just now setting up so pretty soon that'll be another option to contacting me. Tin Lizzie Central is what I call the "Number One Resource for Ford Model T Background Info" but that's only my opinion, so it's not official.
As for me owning a Model T, I'd love to own a Model T for my own car. But to make the money (my parent's don't make that much money due to them being disabled) I've got to work. And here in Boonville there's not a whole lot of places for kids to work except for the Newspaper delivering Newspaper. However, when I get 16 or so I'm going to go to a burger joint in town to apply for a job so I can make just enough money for a Model T Touring and possibly some stuff needed for it like new tires, tubes, flaps, lubricants, possibly a top (if the car doesn't come with one), and tools for working on the car. My dad's a car freak but it's too bad he has heart failure and the only car's he likes are the Hot Rods (T-Buckets, which highly disgust me), and car's from the 1950's and so on. It would be a even bigger miracle if I could come across someone who lives in Cooper County that owns a T and that I could visit to help them work on their Model T. However, that would never happen and getting there's a problem. The only personal transportation I have right now is a 1981 Road Bike, which currently sets in our small garage with a flat tire. But finding a near-by T owner is going to be a challenge, a challenge that would be used for a new topic.
The nearest T-owner I know of is Kent Gilbane -- lives about 30 miles away from me. I went on the Model T ride with him, Dick Lodge, and my dad on May 5. I know there's bound to be T owners in between here and there, but the challenge is finding them. All I know is a Steam Engine Club near the Wooldridge Exit on I-70. But since there's a Steam Engine show there every year in July I maybe, just maybe find a T-owner. However, you have to pay to get in.
Cooper County is a boring county. The only historic automobile I know of in the county is a 1920's "Mitchell" Automobile, and then the Steam Engines. Besides Automobile History, Cooper County is a historic county. Lots of Historic Buildings from the turn of the century or older, but no automobiles from then.
It's just too bad that I A) can't find a Model T B) find a Model T Owner that I can visit, be better ride my bike to ~or~ C) Buy my own Model T. First two are very unlikely, and the last one will have to wait until I'm at least 18.
Garrett,
I don't know if you're into it but building models is a great way to learn about cars. There's another thread going right now regarding this but I think it's important enough to mention here as well. When I was a kid (I'm almost 42 now) I built every model that I could get my hands on and it taught me a lot about how the various pieces of a car relate to each other. Not only that, but it also taught me about a lot of other important things such as painting, different types of glue, attention to detail, and most importantly patience! Granted, the cost of a plastic model is a good bit higher these days than it used to be, but it's still one of the more affordable and rewarding hobbies you can have. Heck, even at my age I still build a couple a year because I don't have the money or garage space to own all of the real cars that I'd like, so a well built plastic model is the next best thing.
Also, given your obvious knowledge of computers and software I think you'd be surprised at what opportunities there are out there for you to earn some side money. You have a talent that not everyone has, so make it work to your advantage! One thought that comes to mind is helping neighbors, friends and family list unwanted stuff on eBay this summer. Think about it, because everybody has junk laying around that they no longer need or want, and most folks (myself included) are too busy just trying to keep up with the housework, bills, daily grind to worry about eBay (or Craigslist is another good one). I personally have a huge pile of stuff in my basement that I'd gladly pay someone to list because I just don't have time, and I know I'm not the only one. And a lot of folks like my Dad don't have the know-how even if they did have the time.
Back when I was your age I remember one of my Dad's friends that owned an automotive repair shop hiring me to sort old spare bolts for him. He would toss extra bolts into coffee cans and he must have had 30 of them full, so he paid me to sort them into the different sizes and bring them back to him. I don't remember what he paid me, and I'm sure that it wasn't much, but I learned a heckuva lot from that experience.
My point is that there is opportunity all around you, but you have to look for it. And please don't let yourself get bogged down focusing on why you can't do something to make money (no transportation, etc...) but instead focus on why you can, and then find a way to make it happen. I realize that sounds easier said than done but it's the truth. If everybody in the world just stopped when somebody told them that they couldn't do something we'd probably never have put a man on the moon, been able to go for an airplane ride or even had the Model T to discuss here. And we sure wouldn't be discussing anything over the internet, because that's just craziness thinking that we could possibly have some kind of magical electrical boxes that would communicate with each other! Calvin Coolidge hit the nail on the head when he said “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race”.
Hang in there Garrett and keep a positive attitude about the summer work situation. A positive attitude will serve you well in life.
So anyway, that's my preaching for the night. I'll get off my soapbox now....
Take care,
Deron
Garrett, too bad I'm not closer. I've got 3-4 frames, 2 old 26 engines that are likely able to get running with lots of elbow grease and little cash, 2 26 engines for parts (broken rod, missing piston, froze up), half a dozen rear ends, wood wheels needing new spokes, steering wheels and assemblies, etc. You could build up a speedster from parts. I may do the same someday but I've been given enough stuff to do probably 2. Keep looking, they are around.
I am fairly good at building websites, so maybe I could use that to my advantage.
I could build websites for people as well as friends. However, that's a problem because I don't know how to "advertise" that and if I do do it, I would have to paid by the hour.
People pay a lot to have a website built, even though they can do it themselves.
I could also teach people how to use a computer basic. I'm really good at teaching and like to teach, and maybe get paid by the hour.
A while back I was going to go into business making basic electronics such as radio's. I shelved the idea though when I found out that I would have to sell the finished product for less than what I paid for the parts.
To be able to get a Model T when I am in College I would have to make $2,000 per summer, taking into account that I'd like a already-running Model T (usually $10,000) and I have 5 summers left.
In order to get a Model T at age 16 I'd have to make $3,333 per summer.
I could also do basic computer repair, and then I'd probably be able to buy a Model T at age 16.
I can just see me driving my own Model T in my mind.
Garrett,
Does Boonville have anything like a Senior Center - a place where older people go for a meal, or socialize in any way? How about organizations's meetinghouses - say Elks, American Legion, or similar? Is your Fire Department volunteer?
I am asking because all these places have meetings, and many of them would welcome someone coming in and discussing computers (at least in my area they would!) Perhaps someday you could meet one of the leaders of these groups and get yourself invited to a meeting. You could introduce yourself, make a presentation - and solicit some business - let it be known that you could ride your bicycle to their homes/businesses and help with computers.
Word of mouth advertising by satisfied customers doesn't cost, and it's value is priceless.
Good Luck,
Dave
On my street there's a Nursing Home called Riverdell.
I'd like to go do something I'd like, like Electronics or Heating and Cooling Related, both interests of mine. I was thinking I could build a website for the local Heating and Cooling repair man, because he doesn't have one yet and I'm sure he would appreciate that because it would have his company on the web.
I'd do anything to own a Model T.
Man! When do you guys ever sleep?!...
Garrett, here is a very detailed vintage 1/16 scale "Entex" model, which you can buy for a very reasonable price on ebay, which you can work on when you can't sleep. This model has real wood parts, rubber tubing for the carbide lighting system, wiring for the engine, rubber tires, brass rods, etc. A really beautiful model that when completed, will give you a helpful learning tool that you can hold in your hands and study and when not studying it, sit it on your shelf and admire it with pride. Your dad might be able to help get you started, if you have never built a model before, as he might have had models as as a kid like many of us and it will be a good opportunity for you and him to do something together. It will also be a constant visual reminder of your dream of one day owning a Model T. Just a thought. Jim Patrick
Your summer work plans to save for a Model T are ambitious! I recall planning to do the same thing to purchase a Model A Tudor. My uncle restored Model As (and lived about a mile from Lang's) so I even had so mentoring.
One HUGE problem interfered . . . girls! You'll have to figure out which to spend your money on when the time comes!
One thing I didn't have when I was a teen was the Internet. It may help you find a car and camaraderie in ways that I couldn't. Of course, the Internet also has a lot of girls on it, too, so even if I had it, I may have been doomed!
Jason
The good news is that you don't need ten grand. A fair-to-good T in running condition can be had for $5000 to $8000. Finding it just takes patience and paying attention.
Garrett:
I am like Doc Noel, I wish you lived closer and I have many, many parts that you could build a nice speedster with. If you lived closer I would help you build it. If you ever have a friend coming to Colorado with a truck have them stop by and I will load them up.
You don't need to be 16 to work for yourself. You can put out flyers at stores, on telephone poles, on the windshield of cars at the supermarket introducing yourself and offering to work doing yard work, house work, mowing, raking leaves, running errands for the elderly, working on computers, repairing appliances, repairing small motors, etc. It just take initiative, imagination, perseverance, motivation and determination. Nothing happens just sitting at home wishing. Just like in life, if you want it, you gotta make it happen yourself and the sooner you get started making it happen, the better.
I worked from the time I was 8 and by the time I was 16, had enough money saved to buy my first Model T for my life savings of $600.00 in 1970 when I saw one for sale in the classified ads in the newspaper. The real value of a dollar in 1970 was $5.62, compared to the value of $1.00 in 2012, which means, in 1970, the $600.00 I had saved up from when I first started working at the age of 8, for .25/hr., until I was 16, was really, $3,372.00 (600 x $5.62). You need to get started working now and saving your money for the time when your Model T comes along, because it's going to take a long time to save up the kind of money you feel you need to realize your goal.
A little inspiration. If we can do it at a young age, so can you. Here are a few pictures of "Daisy", the '26 T Coupe I purchased in 1970 at 16 and completed in 1972 at 18 and after 42 years, I still have her. Although she was a rusted heap when I bought her, she was all original and complete and, for me, it was love at first sight. I purchased the red all original 1926 Fordor in 2004 on Ebay for a great price and have yet to do any work on it, but I can hardly wait! Good luck. Jim Patrick
A senior center might just be a good place to talk to seniors about Model T's. It's possible that someone there might even know where there is one needing restoration. There are many still out in fields and in barns. When someone who has one in storage dies, the family wants to sell the property, or clean out the barn and that is a perfect time to buy a Model T. Some of them are in pretty good condition, just got old and retired when the family got a new car. They didn't want to junk the old one so parked it in the barn.
You should not come right out and ask if anyone has an old T for sale, but just let them know at first that you are interested in them. After they get to know you, and you become old enough to drive, someone is likely to tell you where you can find a Model T for sale. In fact you might even find someone who would be glad for you to haul it away for free.
Anyway, these are just some ideas sparked when Dave mentioned the senior center.
Norm
Garrett:
Is there anybody near by that has a huge pile of old car parts? Maybe you could exchange some work for T Parts and start a collection to build you speedster.
I'll bet there are hundreds of old forgotten Model T's barn finds in old barns on farms all over Missouri. It might not hurt to put on your flyer that, if anyone knows of any old cars in barns around the area, that you would love to see it.
If you can't find an opportunity, create one. Jim Patrick
Garrett, you don't make any friends helping friends build website. I have tried that with no success at all.
It always has seemed to me that if I disliked a guy when I first met him, we always became best friends.
The reverse also seemed to be true.
Now, I no longer even form preliminary opinions about other individuals.
What is it with you guys and building speedsters out of parts? The body is the easiest part to make and i understand that in the USA it is only limited by your imagination and budget. You could have heaps of seats if you get old couches and chairs from fire piles on peoples lawns.
I've not followed the Garret drama going but here's my advice for Garrett. Look for a job and save for college. Forgot about buying a model t at this stage of your life. Save for college or trade school. Go to school, graduate get a good job then start your model t hobby. Doesn't mean you can't enjoy reading and researching about model t's or going to see them at shows.
If I would have done this when I was your age I'd be a retired at the age of 47. Instead I wasted thousands of dollars on cars (at your age). I didn't smarten up till I was 25. Then I sold everything to pay for my engineering degree.
I'm still into cars and bikes but my life would have been easier if I would have looked to a solid education and career first and not having the fastest car on the street.
My .02 cents,
Philip
Phillip. I can't argue with that logic, but Garrett sounds smart enough to be able get a scholarship, if he applies himself to his studies and keeps his grades up, so perhaps he can do both. Save for his dream of owning a Model T and enjoy his youthful passion and, at the same time, work towards earning a scholarship.
Though I was relatively intelligent and capable of good grades, I personally hated High School and got terrible grades, so a scholarship was not in the cards for me, but I did earn the GI Bill when after four years, I was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1977 and that paid for my entire 4 year college education, so it is possible to have both. One must find for himself, the best route by which to get there based upon his needs, goals and aptitude. Jim Patrick.
I've decided I'm going to build websites for local businesses and charge $8.50 per hour. However, I'd need to work 823 hours.
The good news is that if I worked everyday next summer (90 days - 12 hours each) I will have about 1070 hours, more than enough to buy a Model T. However, I'd have to have money to get it here.
Not necessarily. I know it is unlikely that you will come across a deal like I did on ebay, but, I'm here to tell you that it is possible.
In 2004, I was doing a search on ebay when I came across that red '26 Fordor. I was not looking to buy another Model T, but I saw that it was located very close to me in Largo, Florida. I bid on it and won. Turns out it was being sold by a car dealership and the seller offered to bring it to me free of charge, on his car hauler. I readily accepted his offer and paid nothing in transportation charges.
Keep a watch on ebay for Model T's close to you. The closer it is, the easier it will be to get it to you and the less it will cost, especially if it runs and is drivable.
Jim Patrick
Jim, like I said, I can manage working 1070 hours this and next summer. Since it's $8.50 per hour for 1,070 hours, I will manage to make $9,095. I'm not going to be in a hurry, but I won't stop there when I make the $9,095. I'll need tools and stuff (like lubricants, possibly a top since I'd like a Touring) to put on that Model T, so it'll probably have me working more than 1,070 hours.
Since it's something I enjoy, I think I can manage it.
Hey Garrett, how close is Rolla to Boonville? I had relatives in Rolla years ago, they are all gone now. It will be great to see you get a Ford, and even better for us to hear all about it when you do!
Sounds like a good plan, but have a backup plan B in case it doesn't work out as you planned and don't be adverse to doing work that you don't care for. As long as it pays, that is the important thing.
As for your computer work. I know you have strong ideas on how something should be done, but just remember, when you are employed by someone who is paying you to do a job, ask questions to find out how he wants it done and do it that way. If you know of a better way, respectfully advise him, but if he does not take your advice, do not argue with him. He's the boss and may have reasons for wanting it done a certain way. Jim Patrick
My grandparent's live in Jefferson City, John.
If you are interested in my services, check out http://garweb.tinlizzieonline.com/
I am also making Brochures, Flyers, and Advertisements. See my website for more information.