OT-My first T...sort of

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: OT-My first T...sort of
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dwayne Durand on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 06:09 pm:

I remember, as a little kid, sitting with my grandfather while he tinkered with his percussion well drilling rig mounted on a snub-nosed Mack. Dad always had grease under his nails and it seemed he poked his head under the hood of every car that made it into our driveway. I followed Dad's inclination for puttering and my three year-old grandson can name just about any car in the Walmart parking lot if he can get a look at the grill badge.

The Mrs. and I are raising the grandson and he was ready to graduate to a "big boy bed". He sat on my lap as we looked at hundreds of pictures and any permutations of kids beds online. One night we got looking at old trucks and Connor decided that he wanted a Model T flatbed truck in John Deere green. For those of you with grandchildren you know what the little tike wants is what they usually get.... except there aren't many Model T flatbed trucks in John Deere Green to be had. So I made one.

Connor's T bed

A few things I had to keep in mind: it's a piece of furniture and not a real truck; second, it will eventually have to fit in the house and third if I'm going to spend a pile Connor and PopPop are just going to get a real Model T flatbed truck in John Deere green and head out for ice cream.

The reason I wanted to post this here is to thank each of you for all your posts on this forum. I have read every one of them. I admire you passion for the Model T and preservation/restoration. The depth of knowledge here is amazing! I have to chuckle when you see a picture of a bolt and someone identifies it as such and such and another replies with "That can't be a 16, Jim. 16's had rounded shoulders..." You get the point.

There is one genuine Model T part on the bed. I got a steering wheel off your favorite auction site for under $20 including the shipping. I believe it is a 25-27 considering the 17 inch diameter and Fordite rim. Once again, thank you all for the information and hours of enjoyment Connor and I had looking at pictures and reading about your Model Ts.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 06:22 pm:

Dwayne -- Welcome to the Forum. It's nice to have you here.

Apparently you've been paying attention during all that Forum reading, since you know the correct years for that steering wheel.

What a neat truck/bed! Your grandson will be the envy of all his friends. You might get a job building similar ones for them. :-)

Now it's time to build a REAL one!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Henry Petrino in Modesto, CA on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 06:22 pm:

Good job, Dwayne! Limiting the real Model T parts to the steering wheel was probably a pretty good choice. Too many real T parts and it would leak oil on Grandmas carpet! :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker in Sumter SC on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 08:05 pm:

Dwayne,

Great job! I'm sure your Grandson will have many fond memories driving, flying, sailing, etc. that magic bed.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dwayne Durand on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 08:14 pm:

The day after we set it up he was sitting under the hood with a handful of tool fixing the engine. We had company this weekend and he had every single one of them laying on the floor underneath fixing, as he said, "the zippity in my doo-dah."

His only complaint so far is that PopPop forgot to install the pedals. He wants one go pedal and two whoa pedals. Don't you get two to go and one to whoa? I'll have to reread that thread on driving one of these things.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 11:43 pm:

Precious! Enjoy these days. They grow up to fast.
Thank you for sharing!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed Baudoux on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 11:53 pm:

Dwayne, the kid has the pedals right. In fact, they are all "whoa" pedals, if used together. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed in California on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 10:17 am:

Its true, baby to man, in a blink of an eye. These special things you do now really do leave an imprint. As Michael Gerson wrote about his memories of his father, " At first, he was a giant who held my hand and filled my sky. Then a middle-aged man who paid my bills. Now, decades after his passing, a much-loved shadow. But I can remember the last time I hugged him in the front hallway of his home, where I always had a room. It is a memory of warmth. I can only hope to leave my son the same." That is one great looking truck bed.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Dimock, Newfields NH, USA on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 10:24 am:

That steering wheel is the seed that will soon grow into a whole model T

You have been warned!! :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dwayne Durand on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 09:07 pm:

A whole Model T? There is a local car club that has a class of car they call an Ice Cream car. It's something nice, old with plenty of curb appeal and not so overdone that you won't use it taking the grandkids for ice cream.

Nonnie thinks PopPop's 20 year old Caddy qualifies as our ice cream car. Personally, I think the steering wheel is a great starting point. I could start collecting parts for the 'bed' and before you know it we'll be off for the ice cream stand at a blistering 25 mph!

The underhood area is supposed to be a toy box. The owner thinks he needs to be fixing the motor.
motor head


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