I was just sent this from a friend, haven't noticed any mention of it here on the Forum or have I missed it??
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/12/29/michigan-museum-offers-model-t-driving-classe s/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+weblogsinc%2Fautob log+%28Autoblog%29
Peter,
Thank you for posting the note about the Gilmore Car Museum offering the Model T Ford driving lessons class. At http://www.gilmorecarmuseum.org/html/content_page.php?content_id=83&nav_id=10&
the list the following dates for the next classes:
Sat, May 3, 2014
Sun, June 22, 2014
Sun, July 20, 2014
Sat, August 23, 2014
Sun, Sept 14, 2014
From their web site it is a 2.5 hour course and learning how to drive in an Authentic Model T Ford, students will be presented with a certificate of completion. And it also includes admission to the museum.
The Towe Museum in Sacramento California and the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn have also offered Model T Driving classes in the past but when I just searched for the dates and information I did not quickly find them. The Henry Ford also used to offer a basic Model T Maintenance course.
That is something I hope we can add someday to the Model T Ford Museum in Richmond, IN. I would think initially offering rides and later driving instructions. I believe that is one way to help grow our hobby. The general aviation community has done a similar thing in the past when they offer a low cost first flight lesson. Many people dont know they would enjoy flying [or not] until they take their first flight lesson. I think that might also work for promoting our hobby and Im glad several locations have in the past and some are now still doing that.
Again thank you for pointing it out, I did not know that they offered the driving lessons.
Respectfully submitted,
Hap l9l5 cut off
The California Auto Museum in Sacramento (formerly the Towe) has 2 classes scheduled for 2014 that I can see:
May
Saturday the 10th
Model T Basics & Driving / 9am 2pm
Consists of a few hours of classroom instruction on the basics of operation, repair, maintenance,
etc,along with a pile of info to take home, and lessons and driving time.
and
September
Saturday the 13th
Model T Focus on Driving / 10am 1pm.
I took the Basics and driving course before I bought my T and it helped me get started.
Although I have been driving my car for a few years and am now an expert (yeah, right!), the Focus on Driving course sounds interesting so I think I'll look into it.
http://www.calautomuseum.org/events/classes/
Great Idea!!
I wonder if this type of thing could be used by a club to spur interest in Model Ts among the young folks and excite the older guys!
Maybe in the "back lot" of a Ford dealer on a Sat afternoon. A bit of history then instruction in basic operation followed by slow speed driving and rides for the folks that don't have a license.
There were times I would have liked to take a spin around the grounds at a car show with passengers but there were too many people walking around to make it practical. I almost did it at the "old folks home" car showing but there was not enough room.
Could be fun for all
I do this when ever anyone asks. It's fun and interesting to see their reaction when they find out how easy it is to learn to drive a T.
These folks not only teach how to drive the car, they book Model T Ford vacation trips through Yosemite National Park:
http://driveamodelt.com/
This is serious bucket-list stuff.
... and in addition to the immediately above:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKcMMO42jjA
It is a great museum with a wide selection of auto related materials.Plus it has a great old diner with terrific malts. I already know how to drive a Model T so I'm waiting for the V-16 Cadillac class !
this is a great idea for getting kids interested in the cars. i think this is something i can do here.
I have been giving T driving lessons to friends, I have found that 16 year old girls are the best students, but I already knew that as I would rather hire a young girl to drive truck than an experienced man, as I found that I could teach a girl that had never driven a manual transmission to drive the way I needed the truck driven, but experienced drivers I had to work around.
Gustaf,In Michigan you have to be 21 or older to drive a semi.The farmer i work for has one 10 speed one 13 speed and three 18 speeds and the smallest trailer is a 5 axel 33'.Unless we are slip seating i drive a 6 axel 3 up 3 down 18 speed which i like best because you can split everything.We used to have a young lady drive with us and she was the best!!I only found one tire flat and i diddn't even have to change it!! Bud.