Youth needed??

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: Youth needed??
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nowell Herman on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 01:38 pm:

I notice that many of our members are older than me. I also hear that people have bought their T's from estate sales (As I did) I am 44 years old, am I correct to say that younger generations are needed to keep this "T" heritage/ hobby alive?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Everett on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 01:43 pm:

Unequivocally, yes; glad you're "in it", Nowell.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth from NC on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 01:56 pm:

I'm not quite a "kid" anymore at 27 (at least not feeling as with it as I used to) but I'm the 5th generation owner of my speedster. I know Nathan Bright almost has his speedster done and he's even younger than me.

If some of you older guys are getting tired of fooling with your T, or T's as the case may be! I'd be glad to take one or two or five off anyone's hands!! I love these cars. I want a TT next. And then maybe a touring car that is as factory correct as I can stand to make it (no over axle wishbone or babbitt thrust washers though). And then I'm wide open after that!

Heck, before I get the TT my wife has been clamoring for a 13/14/15 touring, or, more specifically a non-black touring car but not a 26/27. She likes riding with me in my speedster but got to ride in a 1915 wide track touring and fell in love. She wants to go slower and blab with people. I don't like spending any more time under 40 than absolutely necessary. =)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Benjamin Fox on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 01:59 pm:

I am 23 now, but as a kid, despite having a specific interest in 1920s and earlier cars, there was almost zero exposure. Books, the Internet, and the elderly who remember are about the only avenues that are really open to someone not already connected with an owner or club. I don't know if this is because of the financial value of earlier cars and people not wanting to ruin their investment, or what. ...When you can go buy a 24 Buick for the same price as a 58 Galaxie, I am skeptical of that excuse.
Young peoples' jaws drop when you pull up in a 90 year old car and they are fascinated by all aspects of it. The reactions are twofold what you might get from an old mustang or a 50s pickup, so the potential is there if the exposure is. The vast majority of people in any hobby like this were brought in by socialization and enjoyed experiences.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andrew Deckman, Ogden Utah on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 01:59 pm:

Been a T owner for 5 year im forty now.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Vaughn on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 02:01 pm:

You have identified a concern, what is the solution? I have several ideas but would like to hear what other people think are good ideas before I say anything. If you attended the MTFCA National Meeting in Dallas you heard a few of my thoughts.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 02:06 pm:

I'm doing all I can. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nathan Bright on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 02:24 pm:

Hey! Just checking in. Im working on my first T, a speedster as seth indicated. If it makes ya feel any better we have 3 or 4 under 25 year olds that drive Ts and love em. One thing i have noticed is younger folks tend to gravitate to speedsters instead of correct Ts. I come from a family of AACA and HCCA club members and have been around everything from barn-finds to Grand National winners but i personally enjoy the tour cars that can actually drive like they were designed :-) Keep in mind that these cars are a lot of money and as so, most cant afford them until later in life. The only reason i have mine is because i have the equipment to restore it and friends with the know-how to help me along.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Robison on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 03:31 pm:

Sounds scary when Seth from NC say's he aint much of a kid @ 27. I still think I'm a Kid @ 29. I've been into T's since 1991. I built my first when I was 17. I built my 2nd T when I was 20 and built my wife's T the next year. The Spokane T Club has had a serious attrition rate of active people as of late. There is some fresh faces in the club but they are about the same age as me and the world is full of all sorts of exciting things to experience, so their priority is not Model T's. I would say that the interest is there but life hasn't slowed down to Model T speed yet.

@Seth I think you need to come to the Montana 500 if you like to drive @ 40mph or better. Plus 4 of the 22 competition class drivers are under 40, that I think is a pretty good percentage when talking about Model T drivers.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Robison on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 03:35 pm:

Oops it was 5 of the 22 drivers this year that were under 40 years old. That is nearly 23% of the drivers.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By william louis rosenthal on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 04:03 pm:

Hello Derek:
I hope you and these fine lads will be at the Greenfield Village Old car Festival in September. Not sure whether you may have been to this show before, but it's nothing less than a trip to the candy store for the old car afflicted. My Grandfather took me to my first car show when I was 6 years old, and I've been this way ever since.
Best Regards,
Scott


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 04:04 pm:

No matter how old you are when you get a Model T, if you keep it, you will get older. What we need is younger people to take care of our cars when we are no longer able to do so. This will always be a need as long as the Model T lasts, and as long as people exist on earth!
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nowell Herman on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 04:08 pm:

Well Said NORM


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bernard Paulsen, San Buenaventura, Calif on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 05:05 pm:

You'd be surprised how many youngsters are interested in a Model T if you put a V8 and automatic in it and give it a flake paint job!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gary Schreiber- Cuenca Ecuador on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 06:17 pm:

But that's not the youth we're calling Bernard. Point is moot.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nowell Herman on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 06:27 pm:

That is truly a problem, cutting up/ hot rodding an "original" T is a terrible thing!!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan B on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 07:00 pm:

This comes up every couple of months. And all of us twenty-something's on this forum chime in and tell the rest of you that the hobby isn't dead!

I think the bigger concern for our generation will be finding good original parts as stuff continues to deteriorate or collections are left to the next of kin who have no more interest in it than the scrap value.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nathan Bright on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 07:21 pm:

i would just like to chime in again and say that if anyone needs a good home for their T, just look me up :-) I tell ya what we need to do. Everyone find someone younger to will their model T to. Then once those "younger" people age and pass they can pass it on to a fellow T-er. My dad has a model T that belonged to my Great Grandfather and it will one day be mine. Im not counting the days mind you but dad knows it will be in good hands. Not everyone is lucky enough to have someone in their faimily that knows these cars. the T my dad has was his grandfather-in-laws'


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth from NC on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 07:50 pm:

Haha that's what I said at the top of the thread, if any T needs a new home I can accommodate!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rodrigo Nunes Ricardo on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 07:57 pm:

I am 29 years old and in Brazil people of my age who use to be in Vintage cars hobby
usually prefer cars from 60s and 70s. I am almost "one of a kind". I am, also, the youngest
model T owner in Brazil...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James Chochole on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 10:08 pm:

I am 42 and am working on my 3rd Model T! Can't seem to get them out of my blood. If my darned life would quite getting expensive at times with children- then I could probably keep one. As a wise man once said, "Now I am old enough to afford everyone I ever wanted to have as a kid- if I didn't have kids."

Keep on T'ing!
Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By William L Vanderburg on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 11:10 pm:

I'm only 45, but I've owned my T for 17 years. I'd like to have more than one, but that's probably not gonna happen. I have a young son...he likes the car, maybe he'll want it someday...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Doug Money - Braidwood, IL on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 11:32 pm:

When I was a young lad, I was really into customizing like George Barris style. I grew a little older and hung out with my first boss and his friends who were into street rods (I never liked those). I did have one very good friend, an older gentleman a few doors down who was into classics and NO CUSTOMIZING. He is the one who really steered me into restoration. Think about that when you see a young'n thats interested in cars.

BTW, I still would love to chop and channel an early fifties shell just to have done it once. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 11:33 pm:

Everyone and every group needs youth.
SOMEONE has to be there to carry the coffins....... LOL
Seriously, seeing a spark and fanning it to a flame is a gratifying thing to do.
I never turned away from a "youngster" who showed interest in any of my hobbies.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Vaughn on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 01:51 am:

I have put a great deal of thought into this issue. Many of you have shared some of the same thoughts that I have had. Here are a few Ideas that I have come up with.

1. Almost all of us have younger family members, children or grand-children. I suggest that we share our passion with these people and help to develop a passion in them. Many of us, myself included, got started because someone close to us helped to develop the passion that we now enjoy. Several of you have mentioned having a will and leaving your car to someone but it would be nice if that someone already had a passion for the car that was developed by a you as a mentor. Develop a care-taker for your cars and know that they are going to be in good hands before you depart. Derek Kiefer is on the right track, those young fellows sitting on his running board already have a passion for the car. I enjoy going to estate auctions full of Model T cars and parts but it always kind of bothers me that many times there was no one in that family that shared the passion with the collector. All they are interested in is the money they can get by selling off the collection. I believe that the future of the hobby starts with our own families.

2. Be a mentor. Give the gift of a Membership in the MTFCA to a young person either a family member or an acquaintance. For only $35.00 that person will receive a great magazine and be able to learn more about the cars that we all love. They will also learn of events and keep an eye on the want ads. They will gain first hand knowledge of restoration tips and much more. But most of all they will be able to study and learn about the cars on their own. This will enable them to be able to hold knowledgeable conversations with you or other enthusiasts in the hobby. Knowledge is powerful and will allow them to develop a deeper passion.

3. Sponsor a youth tour in your area once a year. Make it a requirement that every car on the tour have at least one person under the age of say 30 years old. When planning this tour you will need to think "outside of the box". As you have seen by many of the younger people that have posted on this thread they have a slightly different interest than the older crowd. Many of them like speedsters, or driving the cars a bit faster as the number of younger drivers in the Montana 500 is impressive. I suggest that a youth tour be different than the tours most of the older people are used to doing. Think about it, most tours we do now require that we wake up in the morning, eat breakfast, jump into the cars drive to say a museum or scenic overlook and look around. Then we jump in the cars drive to lunch. After lunch we get back into the cars and drive to another museum or scenic overlook and look around. We then jump back into the cars drive back to the motel, eat again, tell a few stories and go to bed only to start over again the next day. I don't think that most of the younger crowd will be impressed. A tour with youth might include a whitewater rafting trip down a mountain river or some other activity to make the tour memorable and fun and spark interest in doing it again and again in a Model T. You can still put in an occasional museum tour or scenic overlook but there needs to be activities that are exciting and interesting to younger people. Another benefit would be that they develop friendships with other young people interested in Model T's.

4. Be honest to yourself. Is what you are doing really generating youth that are interested in Model T's or is it just making you feel good. I was involved in a high school speedster project, although a couple of students did develop a passion for Model T's, I'm not sure that the adults didn't get more out of the project than the students. We did develop some student interest but honestly most of the students did not develop a passion for Model T's. My only hope is that it might have planted a few seeds and the former students develop a passion later in life. I don't believe that a club sponsored scholarship program develops a future for the hobby. Yes it makes us feel good to help pay for one or two students education, but does it really develop passion for Model T's? I don't think so because it does not benefit very many youth. We need to think bigger than only benefitting one or two students a year nationally.

5. I believe that the future of the Model T depends on each and everyone of us. We need to educate and mentor younger people. It is up to us to find a proper care-taker for our cars when we are gone. That does not always mean that you have to give them away. I own one of my Dad's Model T's but I bought if from the estate my brother also bought one. Dad did a good job in developing my passion. He started when I was about the same age as Derek's boys. I'm 53 now.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By george house on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 07:02 am:

Extremely well said Mike. I'm 63 and have restored and kept 10 Model T s since my sophomore year in high school. Only recently I've identified three that I'll sell and, because we don't have any heirs, I'll be planning on continual divestiture of my collection after that. Trying to keep the wife from receiving 9 cents on the dollar after I'm gone. But theres not many young folks in my region expressing an interest in T s.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth from NC on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 07:41 am:

Hey George . . . maybe you saw where I'm looking for a TT =) Lemme know when that one is going to roll.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George_Cherry Hill NJ on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 08:52 am:

There is a valid reason for seeking the continuation of the stewardship legacy. For most of us at or above SS age...there were still firsthand stories from grandpa or dad, or the guy around the corner still had one and it was 'cool', and today we have the legacy hand me downs which I think will continue, yet my own experience is my oldest son (35) will be a motorhead T'er for life, already has his own in spite of what was in the stable here...my youngest son (30) will say, 'hey...nibs on the '15' and mean it and use it and while fair with his own hands will have his brother as master mechanic to keep it going through his stewardship. He already has a '45 MB jeep that will always be his 'first' choice.

IMHO it's not us old guys who should banter it about and try and think of solutions...but rather encourage this 20-45 crowd on what they believe their generation needs and wants to perk interest. Let's face it...right now if you have a stem-winder, they are pretty...but...it's a labor of love and other than family legacy...I'd really be curious as to how that transition is going to work!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob from Nova Scotia on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 09:48 am:

This does come up every once in a while. I'm 35 years old. When I bought my t I had real issues getting parts or older guys to even talk with me. I bought two good fenders at a swap meet a number of years ago. As I carried my prizes out the gate I heard an older gentleman rudely claim that there goes more t parts to a rat rod. I went over and introduced myself. Told them what I actually had. From there they suggested I join the club they belong to that deals with legitimate pre war cars. The youth is out there. But it is very easy to get turned off by those types.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kevin Whelihan on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 09:58 am:

As a former educator (teacher/principal/curriculum coordinator) I have a few insights on what might work engaging the next generation of Model T enthusiasts. First is exposure. With declining funding that limits field trips and curriculum initiatives that are over focused, teachers are always looking for ideas to provide new experiences and resources. Students now are primarily visual and tactile learners. They need to "see it" and "feel it". Talk to teachers and school folks to put the word out tat you'd be willing to bring your cars in so the kids cane see them, maybe sit in them, and above all, hear them run. Resist the urge to be over complex in your presentations. Keep it simple and maybe brief (focused for your target audience's age and informational level). Don't kill curiousity by being boring.

Secondly, offer to take interested kids (and thei folks) to Model T events. A brief ride in your machine and exposure to other members of the fraternity can provide a great experience to teens especially.

Thirdly, if you feel comfortable and it is feasible, invite interested students (with parental permission or presence), to visit your garage and help with appropriate chores in your maintenance or projects. You are a rich resource that kids love to tap once they feel comfortable. Don't be afraid to say "I don't know" and ask them to help you figure it out. Make their experiences a learning process.

Start small: one or two kids at a time and grow from there. See what works and what doesn't. Try to reach all school age groups. Yeah, young kids just love these cars too. When you make an impression on a young child, you are instilling a curiousity in the subject for life.

One caveat: whatever you do, be mindful that schools are pressed for time and resources on a daily basis. We ask schools and staff to not only teach kids but deal with numerous social ills, continual assessments and testing, nutritional and health needs, and vocational/life skills. Offer, but don't insist. Time is at a premium in all schools, plan to make the best use of the time you are granted and stay within those perameters. Make any contribution you make a good one, and Henry Ford's legacy will be preserved for the future.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Willie K Cordes on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 10:37 am:

Uncle George House, I am just down the road and I am almost out of cars. If the cars need a home just call. Your two nephews could do wonders with the cars and they are in their early 30's, that is almost young.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dylan Thomas Wills on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 12:14 pm:

I'll chime in a little here. I just recently turned 20; and got officially bit by the T bug when I was 17. After which I bought the remains of '14 Touring. My soon to be wife, when I exposed her to the world of cars (besides my own small fleet) at a large local car show; also fell in love with cars, and was particularly drawn to two pre war cars (1937 Packard and a 1915 National). I have had similar experiences with other friends near my age, when I expose them. I agree with Kevin, and having several older "adopted" grandparents that have guided me when I have questions or need help, it has fueled my interest to a greater degree then if I had tried doing it by myself.

Also, being 20, I've noticed that while this generation doesn't seem interested (A large amount of us aren't, but many are intrigued); much of it has to do with A; no one to help us "in" to the hobby, and B; a very high intimidation of the cost of it. Most guys my age think that building a rice burner is literally cheaper (Even if it's a stay at home racecar) then building a antique, as many of the local T guys act like they cost as much as Duesenburgs.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 12:45 pm:

I think the low cost-of-entry will keep new people coming into the hobby for a long time, but they won't all be fresh new 20 year old guys... it'll typically always be older men nearing retirement with kids who have left home leaving them with more time and money to spend on a hobby.

There's 3 important things most guys my age (30) do not have, and that is time, money, and space for a hobby car. Most have kids, careers, house payments, and still live in their first "starter" homes with small garages etc...

I'm fortunate enough to have the money and space for the hobby, but with 2 kids ages 5 and 3, managing a fab shop, wife's alternating-hours work schedule (nurse), and several other hobbies, time is the hardest of those 3 necessary things to find for the T.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Gregush Portland Oregon on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 12:47 pm:

The are some other things that can come into play; lack of places to store and work on an old car of any type. Income that just covers day to day life. How many of you didn't get your first T till the kids were grown? How many young people that build rice burners also drive that same car to work Monday through Friday to their 10-12$ an hour job and if they live in a house, share it with several other house mates? Not real feasible to drive a Model T in a freeway world. One of the same questions I get asked a lot is where do you buy tires so there is a lack of knowledge as to what is a available. Then there's is the assumption that if it's an old car is must be worth huge dollars!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Miller, Mostly in Dearborn on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 02:40 pm:

My observations

1) I notice that Tom Rootlieb posted in the classified that he is giving a chassis away to whatever youngster writes the best story. Bravo!

2) I bought my first Model T shortly after I got married. My kids grew up with Model Ts and my son now owns several antique cars because they have always been a way of life for him. He never saw a garage that didn't have an antique car in it whether he was at home or visiting my friends. I think I raised him right in that he too loves internal combustion.

3) Now that I am getting older, I am now realizing some day I will be retiring, I am not considering buying an old car. Instead, I will have ranked my cars and know what favorites I will dispose of and in what order someday. I am happy I have old cars; I am happy I have been able to enjoy them most of my adult life. I also realize that life is a finite venture.

4) Last night, my mother came to my shop to talk about her house and she leaned on my son's car. She commented it was fitting that he store his stuff in my garage since I did the same to her and my dad in my younger days.

My point is that if a youngster realizes he needs an old car, he will find the will and the way to engage in this hobby. I am thankful my dad leaned over the chicken wire at a sixties Old Car Festival and convinced a car owner to talk to me about his antique car. I am also thankful to that unknown car owner for fanning the spark that became my obsession.

He who cannot see beauty in an engine cannot find beauty in the universe


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kenneth W DeLong on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 03:59 pm:

It's real simple,Be a owner who invites kids to set in the car,give rides,and explain the car to any interested.If your one of those horses as that set back and do not get involved,stay home.If your a person who thinks/hopes your car is worth what you have in it great!! If your a person who thinks your car is worth whatever some untrained eye thinks it's worth,hide it in your garrage! If your a person willing to lie or missrepersent your car or history concering it hide in your car in your garage. Nope,not grumpy i just like the real thing in cars and people.Bud.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Coiro on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 04:05 pm:

Once upon a time, there was a museum.



The handful of us on the forum who lived on Long Island a few decades ago remember a gentleman by the name of Henry Austin Clark. He got in on the ground floor of antique car collecting when he bought a brass Model T Ford in 1937 and followed that up with another brass automobile the following year—and kept adding to his collection. In those days, it was so early in the game, you really had to stretch the definition of the word, "antique," if you were referring to cars. In 1948, he did what so many car collectors would do—mostly because of a need for an extremely large hangar to safely shelter a now enormous collection of rare cars (made rare mostly due to the scrap-metal drives of WWII) and the tax break that accompanied admitting the general public—he built a museum.

And it was glorious. I first visited the Long Island Automotive Museum back in 1962 when Dad brought the family there for the first time. And that's when I got bit deep and shook hard by the brass car bug. Well, when Mr. Clark became elderly, his descendants were not particularly interested in old cars, so in 1985, the greatest collection of brass automobiles on the east coast was auctioned off and dispersed. The remains were a sad sight that only got worse with time.





Now, automobile museums are unlike art museums and natural history museums in that they're not usually funded and maintained by a municipality. Usually, as in the case of the aforementioned, the typical automobile museum is a very nicely appointed repository for an affluent individual's private collection, where admission is charged and plastic scale models of cars are made available for purchase in the lobby. And he (or she) hopes to someday pass the torch to his (or her) children. Sometimes that happens, mostly it doesn't. Once upon a time, such places made a wonderful destination for that all-American institution known as The Sunday Afternoon Drive.

How well I remember that! You went to church, came home and changed into human clothes, then Mom and Dad piled you and your sibling(s) into the car and burned through five gallons just getting to the local drive-in burger joint. Then you hit the highway, the gas pedal got planted and the family enjoyed a speed limit ten miles in excess of today's national standard. The likewise-standard fudge factor of 5-10 put you at a cruising speed of 70-75 mph—and in little danger of attracting the attention of the local constabulary—which meant you could go pretty darn far in one day. Somewhere along the line was an obligatory stop for soft ice-cream and then, after the phrase, "Are we there yet?" had been endlessly chanted, the family arrived at the world's largest ball of twine, or the world's largest frying pan, or the Baseball Hall of Fame—or, if you were a car-kid and had brought home a red A+ in algebra, one of the many automobile museums that dotted the landscape of America.

Of course, nobody does that anymore. Yeah, gasoline is too darn expensive, but I think it's really mostly due to the fact that our kids, whose minds are now absolutely transfixed by digital distractions of questionable value, are unambiguously loathe to get in the car and actually go somewhere with Mom and Dad. The age of the roadside attraction is long over and few joyous memories of youth will be associated with the faithful family chariot or even a first car.

But I remember since before the day my training wheels were removed, the goal of my life was a driver's license and a set of wheels. This, however, is the 21st Century and kids don't think that way any more than they write with fountain pens. Boys are no longer born knowing how to drive; the lines in their little, right palms no longer take the shape of an H-shift pattern. For the middle class, cars are no longer stylized freedom machines; no longer enormous, 2-ton, 2-tone status symbols of astronomical horsepower. Now, cars are just a bunch of uniform, cough-drop/Chicklet-shaped tools of transportation, available in a choice of boring-bland colors, and which, when used up, are unceremoniously discarded and recycled like so many empty, plastic, 2-liter Coke bottles. And nobody feels a pang of nostalgia. To a high-school or college kid, a car—particularly an old one—is no more significant than yesterday’s Palm-pilot or Blackberry.

Back in 1982, my wife and I became the victims of a maniacal drunk driver when, at highway speed, our ’78 Ford was repeatedly rammed from behind. We went into a spin, recovered somewhat, but still hit the concrete divider, head-on, at about 35 mph. The designed-in safety features worked and the car saved our lives. We walked away from that smoldering, steaming wreck, but not before I reached back in, unscrewed the gearshift knob and put it in my pocket. Thank you. Farewell, old friend. You did good. The gearshift knob replaced that of the next car I bought.

Three days ago—no kidding, three days ago—my daughter was in a bad wreck. She went from sixty to zero in about a car-length, but came out okay, with little more than some bruises, and I humbly thank God Almighty for crumple-zones, collapsible steering columns, airbags and shoulder-harnesses. The next day, she and I visited the wreck to retrieve her personal belongings and the car was accordioned all the way back to the firewall.





We packed her stuff into a couple of plastic bags and walked away. I looked back.

She didn’t.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Everett on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 05:20 pm:

Bob;

I'm very glad your daughter is ok. I'm assuming that in a while, you will be, too. (It would take me a while to recover from this if it had been my daughter).

Although I never went, I well remember reading about Henry Austin Clark and the museum. I believe it was in a book, perhaps a couple, written by Ralph Stein who lived somewhere in Massachusetts. It was so long ago that I read those books (1969 - 1972) that I had forgotten about them when we all went to Babylon (West Babylon?) during Thanksgiving of '98 to get our car. If I'd remembered, I'd have made sure we went to the museum. I'm sorry I didn't remember.
I clearly remember reading about the restoration of a Simplex at the museum, and Ralph Stein's vivid description of having driven it.

In the early Summer of '98, I flew up to Babylon or West Babylon to look at a touring car for sale. I knew instantly it was the right one. After asking the seller if he had all his paperwork (he said yes), I told him we'd be back in late July with the trailer.

Bailey and I arrived in late July. It turned out that the paperwork, while intact, had last been issued in Michigan in 1952. I told the seller to get the title issued in his name, and we'd be back in November to get the car. When this poor, hapless (he was suffering from MS) seller told his girlfriend that Bailey and I were leaving without the car, and taking the certified check with us, she turned on him, screaming in a mixture of Yiddish and Sicilian. I didn't understand the words, but I'm pretty sure the meaning was clear!

One of the happier trips we all took was back to Long Island in November of '98 to get the car. We stayed in either Massapequa (or the town next to it) in a motel that next door was a great automotive shop. I remember seeing a 426 Hemi engine, decked out with headers, etc., on a stand in their front room.

Thanksgiving Day, Mary and Sloane rode the train in to see the Macy's parade. After they returned, one of the best Thanksgiving dinners we ever had was at the Massapequa Diner.

The day after Thanksgiving, Bailey and I went to get the car. The title and paperwork were perfect. We loaded the car, went back to the motel (the same one as before) and headed home.

Not until we reached Frederick, MD, to stop for gas did Mary see the car. We opened up the trailer, and Mary said, "Let's call the car Frederick!" Most Model T names are feminine, but hey, who could argue with Frederick?

Again, I'm glad your daughter is ok, Bob; by the way, your writing is honestly good enough to sell.

Bill Everett


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George_Cherry Hill NJ on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 06:05 pm:

Had another opportunity today to look in on a rolled over in the heels local 'barn' find.

The answer was, it ran once upon a time, then one day didn't run and has been gathering dust ever since. A whole generation has passed and then some.

Some may call me a fool, but what I do is offer 'getting her running' services 'gratis'. Buy my list of parts needed, or use my stash and replace them, don't shortchange my list or cut corners and my wrench turning or wrench supervision and advice is 'free'--- unless I work through lunch and then make me or buy me a sandwich and a coke. I show up in my Hack, or the '15 Runabout...let them play and oogle over them. Take their pictures in them, etc.

This will be the 3rd one in two years done that way...all local. I enjoy it, puts my own at the lower end of the attention list when I'm doing for others...but in all cases the folks young and old found the enthusiasm and began to participate. One, they had called a local nationally known 'for hire' restorer and he told them $7K to get it 'running' for them. Not restored, running. When I was done with it I had maybe 8-10 days ( maybe 6 hr. days) into it (I work slow) and they spent maybe $1200 in parts and do-dads...but in that price I had them buy new timer/coils/plugs/rebuilt carb as part of it, just to know that part was 'new'. I then taught 4 people under 40 how to drive it! Made me feel good!

I'm not saying everyone can afford to do this for the young-ens, or even has the time to do it, but it is a 'feel good' when you do. My son recently told me there is also someone maybe 6 miles away that has a garage 'treasure' that just failed to start one day, many many moons ago, and they too would like to know 'what it takes'....NEXT!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill Everett on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 07:03 pm:

George;

When Bailey was twenty, a '67 Mustang GTA with apparently a much-desired engine (something Bailey said about a Cobra or a Cobrajet; not much built after WWII gets me) and oh, yes, a convertible, lived across the street. It was to be our neighbors project; however, young as he was, he was terminal.

His wife wanted to sell the car for about $6,000. However, it didn't run, at all.

Bailey spent several days working on this car. He got it running. It puffed smoke all over the 'hood, but Bailey got it running.

I suppose sometimes it just takes "wanting to".


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Thursday, July 11, 2013 - 07:11 pm:

Right now the average age of a Model T owner is about the same as the average age of a '57 Chevy owner, or a street rod owner, or an owner of just about any car made before 1970. When we all die someone else will buy, own and enjoy our cars.

I plan to have a really great estate sale after my funeral with lots of T's and T parts.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mitch on Friday, July 12, 2013 - 05:55 am:

I'm the youngest member of Taree Historic Motor Club, (Taree, NSW, Australia) and I was 23 years old when I purchased my first Model T back in 2011.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Colin Knowles - Moncton, New Brunswick on Friday, July 12, 2013 - 06:03 am:

I'm 43 and own 3 of them now.Two of them were restored with Dad's help and the third was done myself. Our 10 year old immediately took over the workshop with a 1926 /27 Touring once the TT came out. The deal is I will HELP him restore it, but I am not doing it all. This is the only way he is going to learn and appreciate.We are going to build something solid for driving on a low budget. I also have the added factor of getting him on the lawnmower so he can work off his debt of parts! Whether they are sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters or their friends, take them for a drive every now and again and you will be surprised how much you hear about it later on. There is another Model T nut amongst them somewhere. Just need to find them.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George_Cherry Hill NJ on Friday, July 12, 2013 - 11:00 am:

Kevin Whelihan response coupled with Royce response gave me an idea. I had mentioned my oldest is a T head who already has his own, and the youngest a bit of an ‘eh’ but doesn’t hesitate to ask to take the 15 out and have fun without the dedication.

I then thought, looking to foster a target group, a bunch of old geezers discussing possible solutions but still using ‘our’ ways, the youngest has enough education as an Educator that for what it cost I could have bought Rob Heyen entire collection AND paid for shipping! My youngest is 30, he has all the modern day interruptions with a family and work and gadgets, is generally considered a 30-something role model by peers, etc.

So…What Would Steven Do? He’s also the curriculum director for one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the USA.

Here’s his quick response at a first pass…(Forgive some of his anecdote…but I guess he called it as he saw it)

Hey Dad,

Now this is a challenge! Don't forget you were a 20 something when you brought your first one. For me and my generation, I believe it is the mechanical and historical significance that make owning a T all the worthwhile. From my experience in promotion, it typically takes a lot of ground work to see the desired result. I do not think of it as a generational thing so much as an engagement challenge. Think of it as a net, you have to lure the fish in and then be able to catch them. Here is how you build the net to support my generation of car enthusiast.

The Net:

Lock in the social media: I am sure many groups have Model T pages, websites, forums, etc. but there needs to be a way for them to talk to one another. The stronger the community, the more likely newbies will be willing to take on a new hobby such as a T and not feel intimidated by having no clue how to take care of one.

Document restorations: One thing I have noticed from the Willy's Jeep people is the detailed step by step restorations online. If you have a T that needs to be passed down to the next generation the user is going to want to Google how to do things and be able to do it, otherwise it will rot away. Also, the current T owner's legacy lives on and that part will not diminish too much. Check out www.G503.com , they are the largest WWII Jeep site, but I think www.1945gpw.com is the better model to follow (check out the brake's page http://www.1945gpw.com/c-27-G503_WWII_Jeep_Brake_Adjustments_and_Brake_Troublesh ooting.aspx# .

I know there are existing forums and websites, but it needs to be organized and easy to access the information. ( I Googled model T forum and it looks like AOL Dial up from 1996 and it is not monitored well with politics and T parts all jumbled together).

The Lure:

Model T driving school at the shows: Have some cones set up in a parking lot and let people drive them around some cones. Club member can volunteer and trade shifts for the free driving school. People who are interested will be at the shows already, and the ability and sit in and drive one might spark that fire to own one. More importantly, this will create more Model T fans. I know if I got to drive a GTO I probably wouldn't wait until I am 40 to buy one. Not sure if you would need an insurance policy, just figure out what the motor cycle classes do and you would need a few willing people to donate their T's to the cause.

Social Network for selling: One thing I always hear with my Jeep or the T's is where did you get this thing? I know where I can buy one, but most people can't. Again the social media will help set up a support network

Club Tent: Purchase an EZ- Up and have a Club Tent that has some info, pics of T's for sale, and most important someone to talk to. It is all about the engagement. It is one thing to have 20 T's lined up at a show, but without a way to connect the passer by with the information needed to become a T owner then the opportunity is lost. When people sign up for the e-mail newsletter ( I assume there is one) then have the club president have a generic welcome email to send to anyone who signs up.

Note: This model is for a long term stability, and will not generate a immediate return.


This is just my first quick response. You want me to do up something more and a further model, stop on over and visit your grandson for a bit so I can keyboard! Hope some of these ideas can work for you guys!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Vaughn on Friday, July 12, 2013 - 11:27 am:

George, Some very good ideas. I agree that social media will play a part in the future of the hobby. Some guys in Europe have recently started a Model T Facebook page and it is growing fast. Several forum members participate.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael sharkey on Monday, July 22, 2013 - 10:10 pm:

I'm glad to say that in my chapter which is the capital district chapter of ny. There is 6 kids that are under the age of 15 myself being the oldest one at 15. Each one of us either have our own car or share one with our younger brothers . So you guys at the mtfca don't have to worry about our chapter going out .
Cheers
Mike s.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Monday, July 22, 2013 - 10:34 pm:

YAY Michael....... :-)

(this forum NEEDS a LIKE button.......)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 01:06 am:

Mike, good to see you here. How about a photo of the hack?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Wrenn on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 07:55 am:

Sad to see the decay of that wonderful museum up in Long Island. We are very fortunate to have a first class museum in Richmond staffed by wonderful dedicated people! And lucky also to have it in a town that recognizes the benefit, not to mention the need, for such a fantastic museum. Unfortunately in most of the towns around me, that would never happen. I LOVE Richmond's historic district too! Those people got it together.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Eagle Ida Fls on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 12:30 pm:

Bob C. Thanks for the info on the Long Island Museum and Henry Austin Clark. I always have enjoyed the bits of information over the years about the two and the cars that were there but had lost track of what happened. Sad to hear what has happened but how wonderful it was in it's Hay Day.
Rich


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 04:07 pm:

Our club visits several schools during the year. The students are encouraged to touch, sit in, and ride in the cars. The visit starts with an assembly where one of the club members gives a talk about the assembly of Model T Fords with pictures of the assembly line. Then the students come out and see the cars.

When we visited a High School a couple of years ago, the history class was studying the Industrial Revolution, The art class was paint pictures of the cars, and the English class wrote essays on the Ford Motor Co. and the Auto Shop studied the engine and transmission.

Some of those students became very interested in the Model T, and will some day carry on the hobby.

Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Spencer Vibert on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 10:13 pm:

Some younger people are interested in the Model t's I'm 16 and people give me a lot of credit for doing a frame off restoration on my 26 roadster which still is not competed. unfortunatly People are under the impression the the car can't be driven on modern roads and thats not true you need to expose them when they are young like my Grandpa did to me


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael sharkey on Thursday, July 25, 2013 - 12:37 am:

(@steve) here is a photo of me and my hack when i was picking it up from the barn that i got it out of .

my hack and i


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael sharkey on Thursday, July 25, 2013 - 12:38 am:

is my picture upside down or is it just me


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Thursday, July 25, 2013 - 12:42 am:

The world turned right side up.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael sharkey on Thursday, July 25, 2013 - 12:44 am:

if you want to see my hack its on my profile . im in the process of making the body larger so it will be the same size as a regular hack


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael sharkey on Thursday, July 25, 2013 - 12:47 am:

ha ha . how did you do that. i only use the computer for mtfca emails and ebay .


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