Now that this tour is over, I can't believe that no one has posted any pics yet. I had to wait until I returned home to post any pics, but I thought some of the guys were more tech-savvy than that. Folks came all the way from California and Florida, and a couple from Canada.
Here are a few pics, just to get the ball rolling:
Parking lot of the host hotel:
Dean Yoder rolled in on Wednesday, having driven from the Thresher's Reunion in Iowa.
Here are some pics of us at a point of interest on the tour. It was a moving car show everywhere we went.
Here's our renowned webmaster with his '09 Runabout:
And Mark Freymiller's '09 or '10 (I don't know the difference) Touring. I thought all Mark had was rusty junk. (He said this one started out that way.)
Gene Carruthers' Torpedo ('11 or '12?)
Gene has some very interesting cable-operated front-wheel brakes on his car. They use a Ford small brake drum. Gene fabricated the rest of them, going by some old patent drawings. So they're "period-correct."
I had a wonderful time, and I think everyone else did as well. The Ozark roads were perfect for Model T's, and even though I've been on them lots of times before, they're still a lot of fun to drive again.
I met several Forum folks, some for the first time: Chris Brancaccio, Tim Pearson, Bryan Ostergren, Kirk Petersen, Jay and Barbara Klefoth, John and Renee Regan, and of course Dean Yoder. (Sorry if I misspelled your names.) And others that I'm not recalling just now, I'm sure.
There were over 100 Model T's: all different, yet all Model T's. It was great seeing so many in one place, of course. There was lots of story-swapping about past tours enjoyed, especially the Centennial in Richmond. Lots of fond memories there.
This was the 30th annual Hillbilly Tour, and it was a good choice for a National Tour. It was a great tour, just like always, but with more cars and Model T folks. Next year's Hillbilly Tour will be in Branson, MO, so there will be lots more great Ozark roads to travel in your T's. Y'all come now, y'hear?
I've been on several (3) tours and they've all been fun. Did ya get much rain ???
George n L.A.
I also recognize several of those cars and they have many tours under there belt.
Did Gene learn how to say "Howdy" ???
Great pictures Mike!
Mark Freimiller's red touring is an 11 or 12.
Dean Yoder's touring had lug farm wheels on it at Old Threshers in Mt Pleasant, Iowa last week.
Mike, thanks for the pictures, I was beginning to think no one was going to post any.
I did not see my sons in my 1910 Mother-in-Law and my 1912 touring, but they were there somewhere.
I was told that at one time the early cars were lined up in order of age and photographed. I like the early brass cars and look forward to seeing that photo.
Mike thanks for the photo's , as you know we were to supply the parts for the tour, but my health stopped that and we had to cancel
I really miss the tours. I think that we did five Hillbilly Tours. Good to see the pictures. Thanks, Mike!
Chris B. took lots of pictures, and I reckon he'll post some when he's able to. But as of this morning, he was 2,000 miles from home.
Here are a few more shots from the tour.
Old one lane bridge
Model T's on Beaver Lake Dam
One of the roads (crooked and steep)
My 14 Runabout at Beaver Lake Dam
Cars at Pea Ridge Battle Ground
War Eagle Mill
The 1st Wal-Mart
I hear that our Vintage Ford editor Jay has joined the "Two piece crankshaft club".
Sorry about that Jay, but I am also a member, so do not feel too bad.
Yeah, Jay; "welcome" to the club. I joined back in '76 in Colorado. Thanks for the beautiful pictures Mike et.al. Now that I have an enclosed trailer I want to come to a Hillbilly Tour. What about the tourist traffic in and around Branson next year?
Thanks for taking the time to post pictures of the Hillbilly Tour. Looked like a great tour.
George, I've been through Branson a couple of times. If you've driven in Dallas or L.A. traffic, Branson is nothing.
I am positive we can keep up with the traffic on 76 in Branson.
Guys we had a tour at Branson some years ago, we run the back roads where the locals get to and from work, and we don't have to fight the heavy traffic on the other roads
Mike W Thanks for Starting Thread.
Great Tour.
Very Impressive Crystal Bridges Art Museum.
Great Hillbilly Hospitality.
Many old and new Friends.
Try putting Walmart in your GPS when you looking for a SuperCenter in Bentonville and see how many Walmart listings you get.
Many Thanks to Doug K and Charlie B on the Vulture wagon for ALL their help.
Mark F told me his was a 12.
Jeff Bland rightly said Sunday morning was always the saddest day of the tour.
Thanks again.
Kirk looking for a duck in Branson.
Agree!!! A really fun tour and Eureka Springs was such a nice place to drive a T. We all enjoyed a host of other activities which included the wood carvers group, many classic and vintage cars for a show and parade and last but not least a big group of Very high $$$$$ sports cars that most all were shipped in on double deck NASCAR style semis. We drove past the Cresent Hotel and viewed many of them one evening. Was really fun/sort of scary to get on the smaller than one lane roads/streets going straight up the hills then diving back down to the main street valley below.
We had some fantastic meals at the many cafes in town as well as a fine banquet diner dinner and closing ceremony.
I think this was the first time we've toured and not had any rain but the weather was very hot which made for nice evenings and beautiful mornings.
All N All it was everything that we expected from our first Hillbilly tour except the only still we found was in the back of one of the Picup T's.
Interesting side note.... driving thru the country we passed many rows of long low buildings with big fans that housed poultry growing operations. We were told that Tyson contracts with many of the farmers in the area. I was really amazed that we didn't smell them as I had experienced in the past.
I think there were very few breakdowns. I did not hear about Jay's crank. Maybe someone will post what some of the others were.
Gene from Branson
Great brake idea there, Gene
Please share more photos of your setup and how it feels compared to rear only braking.. (Perhaps a new thread?)
Gene:
Are you using any sort of stronger wishbone other than the early above axle style? That would be troubling to me if there is no reinforcement of the wishbone along with the front wheel brakes. Seems like it would be very easy for the front axle to tip forward at the top and give negative caster. The above pictures didn't show the whole front end. I too would like to view the whole setup.
I looked Gene's brakes over pretty good and yes he does have extra wishbone support.
Here is a picture of Duane and Nita:
Bentonville Square and Sam's original store in background with Janice,Tom, Kirk, Susan, Duane and Nita:
Found the Duck
Where is the building that says "Golden Pioneer" on it and what is it?
Rick, The Golden Pioneer Museum is in Golden, Missouri just north of the Arkansas border. It is a privately owned museum, One of the best arrow head collections I have ever seen. There was also lots of depression glass/carnival glass, old guns and tractors. A large variety in this collection.
My wife Renee and I and her pet pig "Daisy" dressed as bride and groom in our Sunday best.
Yep, John does no tours without his grey top hat.
John, I'd doubt that Ralph would let Gene out on the road with out proper front end bracing.
George n L.A.
Oh, by the way "HOWDY"
Gene designed and built those front brakes without any input from me, except experience riding in my car.
His Torpedo also has seatbelts, which keep the passenger from being thrown into the windshield in a panic braking. One of these days we'll take videos.
Thanks Mike Vaughn for posting those great pics too.
Here is one from 'Bearbill'.
Kirk
Elk City, OK
If someone would just E me once in a while maybe I would get back into the club. I live in Branson. I remember when we got our FIRST "blinking STOP light!!! It was a 4 way stop. I moved away to Florida in 1970. Retired in 2003. Wife teaches at the College of the Ozarks. Has for 34 years now. She is originally from Ft Worth, Texas. We know the BACK roads! I live on Indian Point. I pass by Silver Dollar City every night and every morning to and from my restoration and hobby car shop in Reeds Spring. Willing to help unless you have too many that can help. If so I'll just keep quiet and working. I saw you guys and came over to say hello but felt I didn't belong there and I did not know how to meet anyone. So I went back to my next to you all car club. We were all eating at the same time you had your banquet. Sorry I came in at an inopportune time but I AM an old
"T" man and hoped I would be able to meet with some of you all. I REALLY enjoyed the cars!!!!! I don't know how to be one of the guys again. I have never been a tourer. Just a builder, engineer and teacher. Only people who ever wanted to know me needed something it seems. I guess I am not a socialite.
Joe in Mo.