Wanderwell Around the World Model T Recreation

[DanTreace]

Just saw this on Facebook, a German body shop was commissioned to do the recreation of the Model T car Aloha Wanderwell drove around the world in the early 1920's.

Very well done.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1753221 ... 440682754/


Years ago I attempted to do a replica, got started on chassis, then didn't ever finish the task, so it is gratifying to see someone do this. The original Wanderwell Unit 2 was donated to the Henry Ford Museum, but during the WWII metal drives, was scrapped by the museum, along with many other vehicles.
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[Luxford]

Hi Dan,
I'm surprised that there has been no replies to your posting about the Wanderwell Model T replica.
When the Wanderwell story was discussed on the forum in 2010 there was plenty of interest by members.
It appears things have changed in the last few years and there is little or no interest about the history of the Model T on the Forum anymore.
Aloha Wanderwell's story is one of the great ones ( if not the greatest) involving a Model T.
I look forward to seeing what is in store for this new replica.

[DanTreace]

Thanks for the comment Peter

The story of Aloha Wanderwell is indeed worth re-telling. Just very happy that Ford Germany decided to use her achievement in announcing their new electric Explorer in Germany, petty neat. Was amazing this team of body shop could create the replica in just six weeks to get it to Ford for the announcement.

Have been in touch with Aloha's grandson, Richard Diamond, who is caretaker of the records and photos and films of the adventurer/ he posts lots on the Facebook page Aloha Wanderwell. Sent him this same link I posted, but of course, he knew about it already!

Hi Dan,
Hey thanks for the news. But we did know they had built this baby last year. Pretty good job don’t you think.
Thanks for the link.
Hope all is well with you all so,
Best,
Richard


Unit 2 was donated to the Ford Museum in 1929, but later scrapped, so it doesn't exist. Suppose from the Facebook page of the body shop, the Replica is to be sent to Dearborn, and might end up in the museum ????


click on images to enlarge

[Luxford]

Hi Dan,
Love the banana in the differential story, when I was in my teens that was always given as the way to quieten a diff if you wanted to sell it.
Like the kerosene instead of gas the Model T was obviously able to run on it but we never had Elephant fat for the motor, no wonder that Ford Model T was chosen for the trip obviously the best one to do the job.

[m2m]

Great that someone decided to make a replica ! I cannot believe it. Is there a specific reason they did this ?

Found this photo. Dan is it one of the Wanderwell cars?

[Norman Kling]

Perhaps the reason many people are not interested in Wanderwell is because they haven't ever heard on it. I have been in the club since 1989 and this is the first I have heard of or even seen a picture of one. Very rare vehicle.
Norm

[DanTreace]

Norm

The story of Aloha is rather dim for most Model T guys, and the rest of the world. The campaign of the Wanderwell expedition occurred in the aftermath of WW1, and the naive theme was to unite the countries to prevent future wars.

Read about it years ago when in hi-school in old sources, that had always made my interest early on. The 1970 book by George Dammann, Illustrated History of the Ford, has a photo, so info was out there, just not as easy as today we have the world wide web at our fingertips


As for the replica of Unit 2 Wanderwell car, that was commissioned by Ford Germany for introduction of an event for their new all-electric Ford Explorer in Europe, and they also have a young woman going around the world in their new Explorer

https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/elec ... -100-days/


Here is photo from Dammann's 1970 book, also reports of the adventure can be found in Ford Owner and Dealer magazines in the early 1920's.

[Daisy Mae]

Owned a T since 1981...and never heard of this.

Thanks for the history lesson!! Fascinating!

Many years ago we met a family in Yellowstone who was traveling from Argentina to tour all over North America in a 1928 Graham Paige open Touring. Parents/kids/provisions all packed in that car. What an adventure!!! We talked for a long time.
It's one of the reasons why I would love to recreate Dsisy's Michigan to Pikes Peak trek. Amazing what people endured back in the day....but neither could I discount this family's adventure in the modern world!

[tom_strickling]

Dan,

Are those my wheels???

[DanTreace]

Dan,

Are those my wheels???

Tom

Yes indeed, later had them powder coated in dove grey, first on a ‘25 coupe, but took ‘em off when coupe sold to a friend.

I do believe they look best on your sedan!

[tom_strickling]

I get a lot of questions and compliments. You did a great job restoring them.

[DanTreace]

Thanks Tom

First time using striping enamel and brush for the black hub circle stripe. Mistakes wiped right off the powder coat with reducer. But wasn’t about to try to add a 30” dia. rim stripe, figured a large circle would take too many brush loads of paint.