Even if your tired of Model K posts, I think you'll smile at this one.
Our fourteen year old drives the Model K for the first time:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtube_gdata_player&v=E9Isa24YplE
Cool. I bet she will always remember that.
I remember taking our Model A (Our first antique) to an abandoned heliport and letting my youngest son drive. He was maybe 10 or 12. We probably had 1/4 mile or so of asphalt with three raised helipads so there was a bump every time you went up onto and down off of the helipad, but it was enough for him to get into 3rd gear for a short distance before having to slow down and turn around. He was double clutching like a pro. He drives semis for a living now.
I had the TT at a car show one time. This boy about 12 or so came over and talked to me at length about Model T's. He would walk off and come back a while later and talk more. He was not bothersome. He was asking legitimate questions and digesting all the information. After 2-3 visits, I told him to come back after the show and I would let him drive if it was OK with his folks. Sure enough, he did. The show was in a fairgrounds, so there was tons of open grass for him to drive around on. I have little doubt that boy will own a Model T one day.
Great family memories on film.
Cool! What was that she said, "You pay me $30 to risk my life"?
Jim
This is great.
Yep, that was cool...loved that in less than one minute she's asking how to "make it go faster"!!! But the $30 quip was absolutely royal! And.."not this one"....lucky dad.
Something tells me this was all Dad's idea, not hers.
Jim,
We had just finished mowing her grandparents yard and farmstead. She made $30 for working all afternoon, and was saying that I made her risk her life for $30.
Before this I let her try to crank the car, but that didn't go so well, she couldn't make it budge. In a few days, she'll be after me to drive again....
Her favorite thing in the world now is basketball, and she would rather be shooting baskets more than anything (not all bad).
Mike, yes. However, I told her that Henry Ford's 12 year old son drove a Model K frequently, and that convinced her that she could do it.. She's long on confidence at this age, but short on listening to instructions.
I want a turn! Sure can't text and drive that thing
Well, if the 14 year old can drive it, so can the 15 year old. Unfortunately, the photographer (me) didn't do a very good job. It's hard to tell, but it's about as easy to drive our K as any car I've seen. Start at idle by pulling back the high low lever for a few seconds, then push it forward and lock into high. Throttle up and away you go:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtube_gdata_player&v=8bEElBwEbvQ
Now we'll see if I can get their mom to drive.......
I remember my first time I drive it was in the yard when I was 14 driving the 15 touring. Now I'm 21 and addicted.
LOL.......your 14 year old reminds me of the late 70 something year old licensed PILOT who wanted a shot at driving my '19 Touring........I think your daughter handled it better than he did....... .......I laugh every time I think about it!
Taylor,
With two teenage daughters, I'm glad you and your flivver driving is no where close to us.
However, in a few years, I would welcome a young fellow who liked old cars. Enjoy the new passion, you're the future of our hobby.
Craig,
I laugh each time I watch the vid of our youngest. She has a million reasons why she shouldn't drive, then asks how to make it go faster as soon as we're moving.
Priceless....
I remember when I bought my first Model T, I was 17 years old, and had been driving stick shifts for a few years. It took a while for all my actions to become automatic. It is my understanding, if you have never driven a stick shift, T's are easier to learn how to drive.
For me, the most difficult part of learning to drive a T was remembering not to push the clutch pedal to the floor when using it as a clutch, as I was used to doing. Once I had that part down, the rest was gravy.
If you join the MTFCI and your daughters take a Model T for one leg of a daily tour they will be given the 'Jimmy Walker Award'. I took my son to the empty fairgrounds and in 15-20 minutes felt he learned enough to tackle the drive. He thought we were driving back to the hotel across the street and he ended up driving 25 miles that day.
He doesn't mention it because he is a pretty quiet kid, but I know he is proud of that plaque.
I also think it is neat that John Regan saw him drive a leg and John was instrumental in creating this award. Thank you John.
I learned something today. Now I'm ready to drive the K or N.
Mike,
In the first video, Anna pulls the shift lever back out of high, and goes right past "neutral" to low. I quickly say something because I don't want her to lock it up in low. It's very similar to pushing the clutch too far in on a T and engaging low.
The nice part is, with the torque of a six cylinder engine one doesn't need to accelerate in low and decelerate slipping to high. Just idle, a few seconds in low, then lock into high and throttle up. Surprisingly simple....
Thanks for all the comments,
Rob