Leaving in about 10 minutes headed for the 500-mile trek to Iola, KS from Murray, Ky to pick up my truck at Model T Haven. I'm really getting excited, knowing that I'm within 10 hours of touching, driving, and fully owning my first TT! Heck, I haven't even seen one outside a photo in over 15 years!
The older I get, the less I look forward to these road trips, and I fully intend for this to be my last one (or so I tell my wife). My 19-year old son will be riding shotgun to keep me awake, that is if I can keep HIM awake!
Just thought I'd tell you all thanks again for the info you've shared with me and the positive reinforcement you've given. You might not realize it, but this forum helps a lot to keep the enthusiasm burning. A lot of forums don't do that, but the positive attitude you guys possess really increases the desire to be part of the group. I've really enjoyed talking with you folks, and reading the posts on here. I truly enjoy the humor and comraderie, and even more enjoy the lack of personal insults and hostility toward others.
The next time I post here (hopefully Saturday night) will include pictures of my 25 TT closed cab grain truck, in my possession! Can't wait to drive a T again, been too long!
thanks again!
Ray Elkins
Murray, Ky
Ray,
Congrats! You are going to have a blast. I hope your drive goes well and the weather is fine for you. Let us know when you are back and get some pics on here of your new baby!
Tim
Ray,
I thought about you this morning. I told myself "Well, he's probably on the road by now." Then I get on the computer and had an e-mail from you and then saw this post. I know how exited you are. Looking forward to seeing more pics!
Hal
Ray,
I have always noted the Model T Haven chassis' and parts for sale and dreamed of driving up there to pick up something. Looking forward to hear about your transaction after your final pickup and to see pictures. Click on my name above to see my 24 Express Body TT.
Tony
Hey, Ray, I saw that truck when I came through Mark's place a month or so ago. Nice one! I don't know what you paid but whatever it was you should be happy. More money is easier to get than nice original trucks. Put some pics up when you get back.
Ray, I have bad news for you! This is not going to be your last road trip! If you get that truck running the way a nicely working T should run, you'll be anxious to go out on one of the tours and give us a chance to meet you and admire your truck! There is absolutely nothing like "Life in the slow lane!" on a tour!
Regards,
Steven
Steven, a TT does not have to be "Life in the slow lane". My oldest son put together a TT out of piece from the barn. He used a closed cab, TT Express bed and a few speed and power items.
He will probably take it to the Birthday bash next year.
If you see a pile of TT "rust" coming up on your rear end, that will be him.
Ray,
Fantastic! I hope everything goes well and you get back with your new treasure in good shape.
Rog
Hi Ray,
Congrats on the truck. I live in Hopkinsville, KY and have family in Murray, so I'm there fairly often. I have a 16 touring and a 25 roadster, both unrestored and in partial pieces. Drop me a note sometime and lets talk.
Stuart
Hey Stuart! Do you know of Maggie Beth Estes?? She is a famous young fiddle player from Hopkinsville. She tours with Peter Mayer Group, has played the Opry, etc. She is like my adopted grandaughter. Her dad Lewis has a T.
Hi Stan,
Actually, no, I don't know of her. I've only lived in Hopkinsville for 2 years. I'm originally from Louisiana. I lived about 20 years in Murray...graduated from high school and college there.... It would be nice to meet some local T owners. Right now I haven't had time to work on mine, but I want to soon..... but I'm the proud dad of twin boys as off 10:04 and 10:05 yesterday, November 2nd.... :-) so it might be a little bit....
Stuart
Stuart,
Congratulations, are you going to name them Henry & Edsel.
Alex
Henry Helferstout & Ford Herman!!! Sounds great to me. Congratulations. Pictures!!!!!!!!!
Ray: Hope you post pictures when you return. My daughter lives in Murray now and teaches at Murray High. Love to meet you when we visit again. I have several T's I am working on now and also a modest supply of parts if you need anything. Fred McDonald- Murfreesboro, Tn
Love to meet all of you fellas! I made it back, detailed the trip and truck in another forum post a few minutes ago "Ray Elkins-Anyone heard from him?"
Mark had a lot of goodies, but selling them as fast as he gets them. He does have a basketcase C-cab body that I wish I could have brought home, but Mark appeared to be in a hurry and I didn't get to talk to him about it. Maybe another road trip? hehe
My Jeep Commander with Hemi averaged 10.7 MPG on the 1200 mile trip, so I don't think I'll go that way again with that vehicle! Maybe I can talk to him and make the trip in my little Scion...break some rivets and stuff the cab in the back of the car!
If you got one of those little toaster Scions you could almost fit the cab in whole. We have hauled some pretty good stuff in ours. Had a suburban and a regular kitchen chair would not stand upright in the back, no problem with the toaster. Also gets a honest 30-32 MPG around town.
Good job, nice truck !!
Wot's a Scion?
Ray:
Are those white sidewalls really on both sides of the tires or is the passenger side tire mounted backwards?
Are they "real" white sidewalls or are they painted on?
What brand are they?
Erik Johnson
Minneapolis, MN
Kenneth, A Scion is a car that resembles the Ford Flex.
The double white side walls look like the Lester brands that were available back in the 1970's. No one's making one like that now. Been at least 20 years since those were available.
Yep, the front tires are Cokers and they are whitewall on both sides. I kinda like'em just because you don't see them much. They're old, pretty dry and cracked a lot, but I'm gonna try and preserve them as best I can. When did Coker make these tires, Warren?
Yeah, I have one of those toaster, bread truck, box Scion XB's. Everybody thinks it's funny to see a 42 year old driving it, but I like it. Didnt think I would because I don't really like imported cars of any kind, but I can't complain about 32 MPG. Drop the seats down and you can almost haul anything in it.
Ray
Well, I said I don't like imports of any kind, but I do like vintage VW's. They're kinda like Germany's Model T! I've got a 59 convertible that I went out to Nebraska for about 10 years ago because there aren't any here that have any bottom left under them.
So, I lied. I guess I do like one kind of import!
I don't think I've ever seen one of them Fords either. But i think I get the idea.
Is the Scion that ugly funny looking thing that looks like a box on wheels?
yep...it is! 32 MPG and EVERYBODY has to look at it. Like driving a gocart at 70 MPH!
What does it look like when you take it out of the box?
It looks like this:
(With apologies to James Wotherspoon.)
Believe me...if it looked like that out of the box, I would have taken it out!
Nice looking T, Mike!
Ray -- That T belongs to James Wotherspoon. I used the picture on his profile page. (Without his permission, hence the apology.)
I looked at that picture and thought, what a funny looking old car. Then I realised that it's my car!
Mike, no need to apologise.
James.
okay...nice looking T James!
We have to go into Boston quite a bit and were really amazed to see the Scion boxes being used for taxi's and delivery cars. We use ours when we go to yard sales, it is so easy to load and to park. At least one person a week askes about it. Over 60 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats down.
Driving one is almost as much fun as driving the model T, and a lot warmer lately.
I like the analogy Ray, regarding VW's. Plus it gives me the segway to post non T pics :-)
Gary, what's the beetle with the sunroof? I'm guessing early 60's.
Saw a sign in the back of one of "those box on wheels" said "I LOVE MY TOASTER" !!
Steve, the beetle is a 57, last year for the oval rear window. Randy Carlson, a new poster here might might recognize the 61 single cab in the same pic. I purchased it from Greg Banfil, Vintage Warehouse out of Cali as well.
Nice rides Gary. I just sold a 67 bus a couple months ago. Really like the old VW's, always have. My grandfather was at Normandy and even though he fought those fellas, he fell in love with their cars. His favorite cars have always been Model A's and Volkswagens. I've also got a Gazelle (replica Mercedes roaster) that my step-grandfather built over 1983-84, then put in storage until I got it this past spring. It has 74 miles on it. It's on a 70 pan with discs up front, and every part that he could buy new or rebuilt was bought and put on the car. It has a 1500 and auto-stick that was completely gone through. When I got it out of the build where it had sat since 1984, all the "new" brake hoses has swelled inside and closed up, but other than that it was no problem to get running and drivable. The "new" tires on it had flat spots that would shake your teeth out, so before I ever drive it to amount to anything I'll have to put tires on it too. I've only driven it about a half-mile down the road and back, top speed about 20 mph due to the shaking from the tires. Now I've done the same thing he did...parked it in a building.
You know, I can tell this is a much better forum than the traditional hotrod forum I used to frequent. Post a picture of a VW there of any kind and they go ballistic. You'll get cursed and slammed on a personal level, called every name in the book and insulted in every way imaginable, then the moderators are likely to delete your entire post. We've now got Toyotas and VW's on a TT post on a T forum, and not one grouchy complaint. It's just fun conversation amongst a bunch of folks with a common interest...what a forum should be.
Thanks fellas!
Ray
Ray,
Since this is your thread and since it has wandered off-topic quite a bit, this shouldn't offend anyone.
If you can stand the idea of a "modern" engine as a toy for your son, just e-mail me at sethharbuck@bellsouth.net. It is a 38cc Fuji Robin brushcutter engine and it is "NOS". It will be free including the shipping (ground!) and with more than two horsepower it could be used for a variety of things. He would probably get a big kick out of it even if he just mounted it on a board so he could run it for all his friends. I can e-mail pictures of it also.
Seth