You take your life in your hands when you drive a Model T on the highway

Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration
Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: You take your life in your hands when you drive a Model T on the highway
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Dumas on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 - 11:00 pm:

I was thrown from the my 24 Touring after I was rear ended by a heavy duty Chevy pickup on the Texas T-Party, October 3, 2013, I survived with a concussion, a little blood on the brain, maybe a torn rotator cuff, a gash on my head down to the bone, and severe case of road rash with the back of my hands scraped down to the tendons. My daughter, in the back seat, was bruised and banged with several cracked ribs. My wife, in the passenger seat, managed to keep the car from turning over in the ditch and got it shut down safely. She was banged and bruised particularly about the ankles.

When you have a T on the highway, unless the tour vulture wagon is right behind you, you are at high risk for the same fate. Farm to market roads might seem safe, but these are narrow, often have 70 mph speed limits and no shoulders.

There have been 4 rear end collisions with Model T's recently that I know of: a 1909 T on the Stephenville T-Party, a 24 Touring driven by Olivier Charbanne in France, my 24 Touring on this years T-Party, and a 1920 (?) Roadster also this fall. So far no one has been maimed or killed, thank God!

I will miss touring but I sure do not want to risk another accident, once is enough. I am pretty certain it will happen again, and if you are the last car in a group or traveling alone, you are at high risk.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mack Cole ---- Earth on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 - 11:18 pm:

I feel like any time you have multiple cars in a line,you should have a rear escort of a modern visible vehicle.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Vaughn on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 - 11:43 pm:

Ted, I'm very happy that you and your family are all doing well after your unfortunate accident. I'm also sorry that you are planning on giving up on something that you and your family have enjoyed doing. I look at the possibility of an accident happening a little differently. I was involved in an accident this past spring when a teen aged girl blew through an intersection stop sign in town and wiped out my (totaled) Ranger pick-up. She was talking on her cell phone. I would be willing to bet that many more Model T enthusiasts have been involved in accidents in modern iron than in the same time frame that 4 accidents you mention above. Probably way more. With that being said, I'm not giving up on driving but try to be mindful of other drivers and be as defensive as possible. Will another Model T accident happen? The answer is yes it is going to happen again. Is that going to keep me from enjoying what I'm so passionate about doing? I don't think so. Accidents while driving Model T's have happened every since they have been introduced and will continue to happen as long as they are being driven. It's a risk I choose to continue to take, the same risk we all take when driving modern iron. Just my opinion. Again I'm very happy that you and your family are doing well.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Coiro on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 - 11:49 pm:

I'm sorry to hear that you and your family were so badly banged up. Of course, it's the pickup driver's fault as there's no excuse hitting another car from behind on a highway. I'm glad the authorities in most states are cracking down on texting while driving.

Yes, it's true; you can't take 'em on a highway.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 01:06 am:

Ted first off I'm sorry for your condition and hope you all recover fully. I know others will say "there was no other way to get where the tour was going" but to schedule a tour that includes a highway passage was damn poor planning. Especially in view, as you mention, of the recent rear end accidents involving slow moving vehicles. I'd be really surprised if this wasn't brought up at the tour planning meeting. It sure should have been.This is not hindsight talking. Anyone on this Forum knows of these events.Being the last car in a slow drag on a highway wether a T or a modern following the tour only means you'll be the first hit and I'd rather be hit riding in a modern than any T out there. It's madness and it has to stop. It's easy enough, as we've seen in recent single car accidents/fatalities, to get in trouble very quickly with these vehicles. There is no sensible reason any one can offer to me that getting on a highway is OK. I truly believe that if enough of these events become general public knowledge that it will result in restrictions concerning where and when these cars can be driven. Why? Because, face it: your in the way. Even on a posted 45 MPH 2 lane back road to some moron coming up behind you you're in the way.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 01:12 am:

Like Mike, I don't plan to quit driving Model T's, but I do plan to continue staying off of high speed roads. Fortunately I live where that's not hard to do.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Joe Van Evera on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 08:35 am:

Charlie, your last sentence is right on, and here's why....Many other drivers out there!
Drive safely!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 08:50 am:

There are many accidents going on our Interstate 8 which is downhill toward San Diego. Last Monday a woman was going 70 which is the legal speed limit. The car in front of her changed lanes to pass a slow moving truck going down the hill and the woman going 70 slammed into the truck. How could anyone miss a semi in broad daylight? She did. Fortunately she is still living. She is, however, on life support. Inattentive drivers is the cause of these accidents, not slow moving vehicles.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Doug Money - Braidwood, IL on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 08:57 am:

To add, there are actually roads that have 55 mph speed limits and stop signs placed sporadically along the road. Why don't these same drivers keep running the stop signs? Should we remove the signs that they do keep running? Our cars should be banned from the roads because we are following the law and the other guys isn't? When are people going to be held accountable for their actions? Sorry, getting off of my soapbox now. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan B on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 09:17 am:

Ted - I am relieved that you and your family are healing and have lived to tell your story.

Accidents like this will inevitably change this hobby if they continue to happen. It will take only one politician who believes it is no longer safe for old cars to cohabitate with modern cars on our roads and it will be all over.

It seems strange to me that clubs that are supposed to promote the hobby would put the hobby and it's drivers in such a vulnerable position.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Wrenn on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 09:22 am:

Doug...I'm in line with your soapbox too. And as I've posted earlier in the year my biggest fear and no doubt everyone's, is this legislation happy govt. of ours will indeed restrict, if outright ban, our cars from all highways in our lifetime. Then we'll be chartering a cargo ship to send them all to Europe and Australia where they'll still be able to use them, if we can find enough buyers. Of course when that happens, we'll be lucky to get $5K for them. What's the answer? I honestly don't know. When are people going to be held accountable for their actions?...when lawyers don't exist.
We may have to "deface" our cars with SMV signs, but technically they're only allowed for speeds below 25 MPH, at least in Ohio. So at least my TT Firetruck could use one!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 09:57 am:

Motorcycles will be banned first. You think a T is dangerous on the hiway? Every work day there are motorcycles down on the freeways here, tying up traffic.

My ICU nurse neighbor says the helmets just keep the scrambled brains in one place.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Kriegel Mishawaka Indiana on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 10:20 am:

Ted feel free to send me a private message. I have been severely injured (21 days hospital 1.5 years recovery) there may be some recovery steps you can use down the road. There is a very high probability of residual medical problems Also i did successfully sue the other driver


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kenneth W DeLong on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 10:41 am:

Ted,What was the penalty handed to the driver at fault? I have long said there are roads old cars should use and others they should not.What is the responce of those who planed the route? A model T is a large object so what if it had been a kid or someone walking? I think David is on the right track,and go after the driver at fault.Bud.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Patrick on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 10:43 am:

At least motorcycles, unlike Model T's, are fast enough to keep ahead of the upcoming traffic from the rear. Most motorcycle mishaps are caused either by young motorcyclists on their crotch rockets that are unable to stop when someone pulls out in front of them or by them losing control on a slick curve... not by being rear ended because they are unable to get up to speed limit on the highway. Jim Patrick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Smith on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 11:19 am:

You take your life in your hands when you drive any car on the highway!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Coiro on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 11:57 am:

There's a lot of talk on this forum about Tin Lizzies with souped-up engines capable of sustaining highway cruising speeds. Folks, our braking capability is very limited because even with the latest hydraulic, disc brakes, the footprint of each rear tire is only about the same size as that of a shot-glass.

At 30 mph, my Rocky Mountain Brakes work well; at 35, they're okay; but at 40 mph, it takes a lot more than twice the distance to bring the car to a stop than at 30. At 45 mph, braking capability is a joke and that alone is reason enough not to drive a Model T on roads that require highway speeds.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ludo Verfaillie on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 12:30 pm:

Driving a model T on the highway is a no-no in Belgium . Absolutely forbidden . The minimum speed required for a vehicle is 70km/hour or about 45 m.ph .

I must admit seeing old Bentley's from the thirties driving happily far beyond that speed on the highways in the U.K . But that is another story .

Ludo
Belgium


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 12:40 pm:

We could all refrain from leaving the house so we don't have an accident and still be hit by meteor. Life's a gamble. Enjoy it and accept the risks. I'll probably die of a heart attack. Hopefully, it will be down the road a ways. But I'll be damned if I'm gonna not enjoy eating what tastes good for the rest of my life just so I can put it off a couple of years. Same with driving a T, or riding a bike. Thinking about getting a new one of those, too.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jon Allen on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 12:46 pm:

I think what the hazard is here is a slow vehicle and fast-moving, inattentive modern drivers. That is a dangerous mix however you do it. I get pretty nervous and sometimes downright scared driving my T. Good judgment about where you drive and complete focus on your driving is about all we can do. I ABSOLUTELY refuse to go on these 1000+ mile "tours" that some guys just love to do. I think it is absolute insanity, a bit like the thrill of Russian roulette.
Sorry to be such a pooper, but that's my opinion.
I want to be around for my grandkids.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Patrick on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 01:27 pm:

Years ago, it was somewhat safer to drive Model T's on the highway when drivers were more mature and disciplined and the only distraction was the radio and perhaps an 8 track tape player, but these days there are a multitude of distractions to take a driver's concentration off the road: Immaturity, impulsiveness, always in a hurry, cellphones, texting, radio, CD player, (believe it or not built-in) video player for the driver, reading the newspaper, a book or reading on an I-pad, internet video games on a PC or smartphone, applying makeup, getting dressed, eating, driving high, talking with a carload of friends, etc.

I trust myself to be a safe Model T driver, but when I have to depend on someone else who is unaware of the limitations of the T, for my safety, that is where I draw the line and choose to drive my T only down the quiet tree lined neighborhoods of Bartow. It's safe, peaceful, pleasant and the neighbors enjoy it. Jim Patrick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kohnke Rebabbitting on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 01:41 pm:

Sorry to here that Ted. I hope all turns out well.

Herm.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James A. Golden on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 01:48 pm:

Ted, it is great to hear you are recovering, but unfortunately, a full recovery will likely be impossible and never happen.

The news article said the truck driver just topped the hill and could not see ahead very far.

A Model T with four people riding in it that was going up a hill or just topping it was likely doing less than 30 mph and that would make the situation much worse.

The real problem is the closing time between a T going 30 mph and a vehicle going 70 or 80 mph. both drivers only have a few seconds to take evasive actions and avoid a serious collision.

The problem is even worse at night and no matter how good your headlights are, you should never drive at night.

I had a near miss a few years ago on a tour in New Hampshire. I would always add a little speed going down a hill when I would see a hill right ahead. That would help maintain a little more speed on the hill ahead.

Traveling with two friends, we would often pass each other on a hill if ahead was clear. There was a big hill ahead and I added a little extra speed.

About half way up the hill, a friend passed me at the same time a Model T Touring pulled back on the highway in front of me at about 4 mph.

I could not stop in time to avoid hitting that T and my friend could not get over to avoid a car coming down the hill.

I took the shoulder route and passed the slow touring car. My friend straddled the double yellow lines to avoid the touring car and the car coming down the hill moved over just enough to avoid a head on collision with my friend.

There were four cars side by side on a two lane road for several seconds.

The guy in the touring car got the hard luck trophy at our closing banquet for almost being side swiped twice in the same day.

That afternoon, he did a real slow pull out in front of me again. I hit my siren and went around him that time, as the road was clear.

My friend behind me almost hit him again.

Driving a Model T is probably a little more dangerous than driving a motor cycle.

Rule 1 might be DO NOT TAIL GATE.

I have another rule now, only go on Model T tours in areas where traffic is light and the hills are flat and level.

You really must stay alert!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jon Allen on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 01:53 pm:

Jim,
In a previous life I used to live in Winter Haven, FL, not too far from where you are. I have even participated in the Bartow "Freedom Day 10K" race that they used to have there.

But then as my wife says: "Honey, what happened? You used to be a stud!"

Cheers,
Jon


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 02:00 pm:

" Folks, our braking capability is very limited because even with the latest hydraulic, disc brakes, the footprint of each rear tire is only about the same size as that of a shot-glass."

You just showed us you're like most here, who have never studied, or have failed physics, Bob. You're also making two arguments: rear only, and size tire.

The size of the contact matters not. It is the coefficient of friction that counts. Clinchers of the same compound as wide tires will stop in the same distance. Tires harden with age and lose traction. I need to replace mine at ten years old.

Rear only brakes are really limited, as the harder the braking, the more the load shifts to the front.

I run 4-wheel drum brakes. Somebody at the last last local T meeting reminded me how I almost vaulted him over the windshield at 10 mph one time many years ago. I now require seat belts on my pax before the car moves.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john kuehn on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 02:06 pm:

Since I live in an area where farm to market roads are plentiful I don't go on tours.
My question is do Model T clubs who have tours require well marked front end and tail end cars to alert other drivers whats going on?

This to me is a no brainer. But what do I know.

Does anybody know or is this one of those topics nobody wants to address because of our tendency to do our own thing.

Just thought I would ask.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 02:09 pm:

I do not pull over when going uphill unless I have enough space on the shoulder to keep going. Pulling over on a hill might seem courteous to the faster traffic behind, but it is almost impossible to get back on the road and up to the same speed I was going before pulling over. I always pull over at the top of the hill if there is room to pull over even if I have to come to a stop and let all the cars behind me pass. It seems to work that way, and most people are very friendly when I do pull over.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael R Beary on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 02:25 pm:

I wonder how nervous the Amish people get when they are on the public roads in their horse and buggy. I want a SMV sign on my old vehicles before I go down the road. I always try to keep track of what might come behind me. I drive my T's with the idea they have no brakes. What can go wrong, will go wrong. I've been lucky so far!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Clayton Paddison (Vancouver Washington) on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 02:45 pm:

Stuff like this does worry me, but I have always had good luck on the roads out here. Some drivers are hot heads, but 90% slow down around me (as their passengers take pictures)and are quite nice.

We drove major highways on our trip to Bonneville and though it was a bit scary at first, it was actually a nice trip. Most gave us plenty of room (we stayed in the slow lane at 55-60 mph the whole trip) and the Truckers blocked and watched out for us....even radioing ahead to other truckers as far away as Salt Lake City that we were on the highway.

I also won't be scared to drive my car...and would be content on neighborhood streets and parking lots. I will be adding juice brakes to my car in the near future.

My T is a road car....




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Clayton Paddison (Vancouver Washington) on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 02:47 pm:

I am sorry to hear about your accident and glad that everyone is okay for the most part. I wish you all a speedy recovery :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 03:37 pm:

"The size of the contact matters not. It is the coefficient of friction that counts. Clinchers of the same compound as wide tires will stop in the same distance."

This is absolutely false. Friction coefficients are entirely dependent on the size of the contact patch. All else being equal, a larger contact patch has more grip every time.

Smaller patch = more vertical load per square inch, which also gives more grip per square inch, but load and grip are not directly proportional. Increasing load gives diminishing returns on grip.

A simple example would be changing the camber angle on a racecar. When the car leans and camber goes positive, you lose grip because the contact patch is small. Increasing static negative camber to keep the contact patch larger in a turn increases the grip at that wheel, and changes the entire balance of the car. I do this frequently with my racecars...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ivan Warrington on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 03:52 pm:

Ted, good to hear that you are up and running. For the last year I have been reluctant to drive on the street. Even the Tours bother me. When we lived a block from the downtown square I had no problem.
We have moved and it is nearly 5 miles to the square down a race track of mostly senior citizens who drive between 35 and 55 mph. Bad combo for a model T.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Doolittle on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 04:00 pm:

This thread is fodder for lawyers?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Coiro on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 04:32 pm:

Ricks, of Surf City,

Yes, you're quite right in that I was talking about the vast majority of Model T Fords that only brake the rear wheels. You and I are very much in agreement that such a setup is very limited as to stopping ability.

I never took college physics, so you have an advantage on me. I have absolutely no idea as to the meaning of "coefficient of friction." But hey, I'll look that up later on Wiki and learn something new.

I think, however, you and I will maintain an honest, gentleman's disagreement over point of contact size, and the reason for my belief is the same as the reason why the tires on modern, Formula-1 race cars look the way they do. I really do think I'd be on safe ground to assume that wide tires have a better grip on the road than skinny tires. But hey, I could be wrong—happens all the time—just ask my wife.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 05:00 pm:

I've posted this before, but here goes again. Friction (Traction) is equal to the coefficient of friction multiplied by the normal force (Weight a scale would see if the tire were sitting on it). Surface area doesn't matter. It's high school physics.

HOWEVER.....the coefficient of friction changes with temperature and the smaller contact area doesn't dissipate heat as well.

I have no doubt that if you took two cars that were identical except for the tire width and set them on a variable inclined surface with their brake set and began to increase the angle of the incline until one began to skid downhill, they would both begin to skid at the same point. The narrow tired car would not begin sliding before the wide tire car. However, if they were both skidding, the heat would build up more in the narrow one and it would likely skid further than the wide one.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Coiro on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 05:54 pm:

I'm afraid I've inadvertently hijacked the thread and turned an accident/safety topic into one about tire physics. The debate is very interesting, though, so I'm going to start a new thread entitled, "Tire Traction: Skinny, High-Pressure vs. Wide, Low-Pressure" and kick-start it with some of the tire comments already made here.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael R Beary on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 10:29 pm:

I just don't see any ban on the old cars using the public roads. Iowa has a lot of slow moving vehicles. The Amish, Farmers and even bikes. They have a lot of clout! I doubt they could single out old cars without causing an uproar! Most people appreciate old cars, parades, football and a few other things. Taking something like that away won't go over to well. I've never been on a tour. I stay on familiar roads and try to keep my guard up.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey, Hayward Ca. on Thursday, November 21, 2013 - 11:21 pm:

A speedster with the battery near the rear cross frame and spring, two spare tires and wheels on the back, the passenger's seat moved a little behind the driver's and the front axle moved forward 4 inches and the chassis lowered will stop noticeably better than a stock T runabout.
It all has to do with weight on the rear wheels.
Whenever there are two people riding with me in my touring I make sure they both sit in the back.
I put most of the tools and spare parts under the rear seat, not the front. It makes a difference.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Woods, Katy, Texas on Friday, November 22, 2013 - 12:55 am:

Ted, I'm sorry about your accident and glad that everyone survived. A T can be replaced (unless it is a family heirloom), but a human life, can't be. I guess there is something to be said for having a 'vulture" wagon in the rear of tours.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN on Friday, November 22, 2013 - 12:56 am:

Sorry for adding to the tire grip argument in this thread... see Bob's new thread for my further comments on tire adhesion.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Lovejoy, So Cal on Friday, November 22, 2013 - 01:22 am:

I ride motorcycles everyday and then ride antique ones on the weekends/ or a model T, all this talk makes me nervous! Recover fast Ted, sorry for your mishap. I have been very lucky so far, knock on wood!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mack Cole ---- Earth on Friday, November 22, 2013 - 01:23 am:

Just bear in mind,your life is in the hands of someone alot higher up than us when you are on the road.If it is your time to go,you are gone.Regardless if you are in a tank or a tricycle.

departmental budget cuts caused the "bump" truck to be left in the parking lot this particular evening.
I was Supposed to be sitting on the tool box ready to flip signs a mile or so up the road but decided to ride in the cab instead.
You reckon that was just dumb luck that I did that?
Hum.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mack Cole ---- Earth on Friday, November 22, 2013 - 01:26 am:

Btw,that was caused by a 50 mph frieghliner loaded with coffee.
He shoulda been drinking it instead of hauling it!
That yellow light,was blinking.There was also red X's overhead for the 2 miles he had been the past few minutes telling him he werent supposed to be in the lane.
bright lights and yellow trucks are no safer really.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Doug Money - Braidwood, IL on Friday, November 22, 2013 - 07:50 am:

Mack, in 1972 My parents bought their first yellow car. They followed in 1973 and 1977 thinking they would be safe in these. One was even listed as safety yellow on the paint. All of those cars were in multiple accidents, one in front of a policeman watching traffic. In every case, the other person stated they did not see the car. The policeman even commented, how did you not see a bright yellow car in front of you? All of these happened during the day. The 1977 we finally painted blue and had no more problems. Never bought a yellow car again. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By george house on Friday, November 22, 2013 - 09:35 am:

What an incredibly timely and pertinent thread! I've said it before on this Forum that I become annually more restrictive on roads that I drive my Model Ts. I was on the T Party tour this year and delayed my departure one morning when the fog was thick on a state 70 MPH highway when they pulled out around dawn. And last month I had as an overnight houseguest the 2014 Texas T Party tour chairman. While he was a 'captive audience' I pled for more rural less high speed roads. Probably the simple less population density in San Angelo will make for a much safer tour.

Much has been stated on this thread about the notorious Model T braking 'in'ability and the importance of not tailgating. Alas, I'm afraid I might have alienated a friend for whom I hold great Model T respect when I previously commented on a popular N.W. endurance race where he is an annual contestant and previous winner. Anyway, he has posted several YouTube videos where he is tailgating another T at 55 MPH from a distance of 5 feet! Some people chase adrenalin by bungee jumping, others extreme snow skiing. Be advised; still others use Model Ts. Lets all be careful and incorporate reasonable safety devices and visuals on our Ts but, by all means, drive them as they were designed.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Friday, November 22, 2013 - 10:09 am:

Yellow Freightlines did a study several years ago, and they found the most visible color was the orangish yellow they now use.

Yellow is just a good color, on a Smart car or a Smart T:



The house on the right was foreclosed last year, and the new owner is a family direct from Vietnam. I didn't get a chance yet to ask him if he made tires. He's done something to pay a Mil cash.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By R. S. Cruickshank on Friday, November 22, 2013 - 07:55 pm:

There is no question that standard Model T's should not be driven on multi-lane highways where the minimum speed is 45. Usually that means the speed limit is 65. However, even driving on city/country roads can be equally dangerous when the vast majority of drivers are under 40 and and have never been trained to understand hand signals. I don't think a new driver today has ever witnessed a traffic hand signal for slow down/stopping, or a uplifted hand signaling a left turn (most of the time the uplifted hand with the appropriate finger has a different meaning). I was almost totaled when I gave the left turn hand signal and at the last second saw a car downshift and pass me on my left. My heart skipped a beat!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Huson, Berthoud, Co. on Saturday, November 23, 2013 - 01:29 pm:

arlie B. In Toms River, N.J

You accuse the planners of the tour that Ted was hurt of Damn Poor Planning. Have you ever planned a tour? If the tour is more than one day you are going to need a MOTEL !!!! Were are you going to find a motel on some back country COUNTY ROAD. I have never seen one. I have been to National Tours all over the United States and all of them ARE all on highways. I enjoy driving in the mountains of Colorado and guess what,
any place like Estes, Steamboat Springs, Grand lake, Vail, Saratoga, Trail Ridge, The Royal Gorge, and any others are ALL on HIGHWAYS !!!!

Planning a tour is a lot or work, rather than criticizing the people who put on tours you should thank them.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Saturday, November 23, 2013 - 08:14 pm:

Dave: first: to answer your question no I've never planned a tour. Second: it was damn poor planning especially if any one in the club is on the Forum and knows that over the past 3 years fatalities concerning T's and major highways have gone up dramaticly. Third: major hotels and inns are on connecting roads NEAR highways not on them. Fourth: I never specifically said it was a clubs fault but since tours are usually set up by a group (ie: club) I still contend they should have known better and am still amazed by the fact that people participated. ( it's not going to happen to me/us). There may have been objections but who knows for sure. A number of people went regardless. A tour is a lot of work? I suppose it is but PUT IN MORE WORK AND MAKE IT SAFE. And I'll lay you $5 that's what their thinking now. If it had to happen thank God it ended the way it did. It could have been far worse.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan B on Saturday, November 23, 2013 - 08:20 pm:

Define highway. There are some state "highways" around here that have 45mph speed limits. There are other "highways" where you can get ticketed for going too slow.

I do not know how anyone can defend touring on a road with a 70mph speed limit, regardless of the good intentions of those who planned it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Saturday, November 23, 2013 - 08:44 pm:

Interstate. Major thoroughfare without traffic lights and exits to the local streets. You know. A highway. Highest MPH posting on a highway here? Probably 60. Highest MPH posting on a main street? 50. Side streets: 35/45 it vareys. The only posted limit you can actually beat in a stock T locally? My development: 25. Add at LEAST 5 to 10 MPH to the actual speeds driven on most of these roads.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gene Carrothers Huntington Beach on Saturday, November 23, 2013 - 09:45 pm:

Ted, Glad your recovering.

Charlie, You have a right to drive your car where you choose. I don't agree with you saying the tour had PPP'g.

I also do not agree with many ideas about where it is safe or appropriate to be driving a "slower" car such as a model T. I think it is wrong to believe that the roads/highways are the same across the country.

Here's my thoughts about where I feel safest driving my T:

Multi lane is safer than single. Other cars can pass at will or without crossing a center line.

All "local" freeways here have a truck limit of 55MPH. Lots traffic with some slower drivers in the right lane. There's NO Cross traffic or sudden stops to make a right turn. Controlled entry so no one pulls out in front of you.

County roads with a nice wide shoulder and little traffic.

Least favorite are city streets and main streets lined with service entries and signal lights. Many with speed limits of 45 to 50MPH and busy.

I agree that the type of road safer for a T depends a lot on the condition of the car. RDR and my car cruise easily 45 to 55 all day long and have reasonably good brakes. I have good eye sight and RDR's car is painted yellow. Both cars have seat belts.

I hope we never have an accident.

I think someone said the T should be followed by a modern car. From many tours that I have been on this certainly creates a traffic jam up behind with some pretty unsafe passing. The second and other cars that come up behind, drive along waiting for the first car to pass. After awhile they very impatient and maybe the third or fourth car decides to pass. You can see where this isn't safe for the T up in front.

Lastly it isn't the modern car driver that is at fault in every case involving a T accident. I think we sort of just sum them all up to blame the other guys.

The National Tour this coming year is in Beautiful San Diego. I have been on tours with the local club there and know that they plan carefully for safe T driving. I have driven on the freeways down there a few times with no issues. Get your car running the way it should.

Please don't think because this is a "city" tour you won't attend. Maybe Norman can give some more info on a another thread. You'll enjoy some great driving and beautiful scenery.

Drive Safe and REMEMBER Holiday Shopping Season driving is Dangerous. Don't Do It....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mike_black on Saturday, November 23, 2013 - 10:00 pm:

I went on the last Horseless Carriage's Hershey hangover tour in Oct. I felt pretty safe! We were in an area with a lot of Amish buggy traffic. Everybody had written directions and an aprox time table of where you were supposed to be and when, so, there was no 1/4 mile long snake of slow cars. Everyone went the same way to the same places, but, not in one long line. Still, there was no way to avoid high traffic areas near the motel and occasionally short hops between the less traveled roads we were using. No significant problems; mostly running out of gas. The trouble truck was nearby with a cellphone and gas cans.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gene Carrothers Huntington Beach on Saturday, November 23, 2013 - 10:35 pm:

Sounds contrary but the safest place I have driven my T was on the Long Beach T Club's Death Valley tour last month. Humble Howard Genrich with his Lucky 7 speedster and I did end up having a drive back to the motel for about 50 miles of dark driving with the lights on though. No animals and only two cars.

We did have to be careful and watch out for the bicycle traffic. They were having a long distance tour of nearly 200 miles. Interestingly a girl won.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Kable on Sunday, November 24, 2013 - 04:06 am:

This debate rests on ones mindset. Its obvious some people are not very confidant driving a Model T or possibly any old or unusual car. The same scenario applies if your modern car had a problem and you could only limp home at 25mph.

If you do like to drive your T and go on tours organised by clubs or just for the pleasure of it by yourself as I have always done, you have to realise that if one drives from A to B you have to sometimes take what there is to drive the route. You can just as easily get nailed on a quiet road as on a busy one.

When my wife and I went to the Centennial in 2008 our goal was to drive from LA to Richmond IN in a time frame of 2 months. We had no pre arranged plans before we arrived in LA and picked up our Kamper.

As we headed east we asked along the way what was worth a visit in the area. As long as we kept moving about 100 miles a day we knew we would be in line with the date of the Tour in Richmond.

As it worked out we had lots of time and went further east to Nashville before turning around back to Richmond. We only used a freeway where we had to but often a road on a map is no guide as to how good a Model T road it is. A duel lane road is usually the best, you can stay right, and everyone can pass on the left without any problem, but if they are not watching lie they should be !!!

Often a back quiet road can be hilly, windy, with a double line for miles with no possibility of being able to move over and let modern traffic pass. We never had anyone show complaint when we did the 10,000 miles from LA to Richmond and back.

Only this past weekend we attended our clubs 40th anniversary tour. It was held in a quiet rural area on back roads. We all commented how great it was that we had the roads almost entirely to our selves. The biggest problem was the rain, (bit wet in a speedster)

On the Saturday night we all had dinner together at a club. Also in attendance was an ex-member who had moved to the area but had sold his Model T's and changed to more modern MG sports cars.

His classic statement, "we sold the T's because the roads are so dangerous around here." ???

Mack Cole's example of the Yellow pick up rear ended says it all -


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Sunday, November 24, 2013 - 09:01 am:

"Its obvious some people are not very confidant driving a Model T...."

Interesting observation. I agree. Sad. It is understandable when you are new, but some folks seem to never get there, even after years of ownership. It amazes me how many long time owners of antique cars have no idea what the spark advance does. I watched a guy who has had A's and a T for many years, moving the spark advance all over the spectrum as he stood on the starter switch. And he's certainly not alone.


Posting is currently disabled in this topic. Contact your discussion moderator for more information.
Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration