MTFCA Forum

Readers, after following the forum for about two years, I sensed you would appreciate a story of a Model T coming back in to use. This one was purchased new in 1926 for $480 by my grandfather for use on the farm. I understand it was used to haul many loads of lumber, coal, grain, livestock and feed. I know a larger truck and a feed wagon eventually took over these jobs and by the early 1950’s it was used for only odd jobs. My earliest memory of the “Model T truck” was about 60 years ago when it was parked in a cattle shed, gated off from the cattle. A few years later it was moved to a single stall out building that became known as the “Old Model T Shed” for the next 55 years. The truck was occasionally started for rides, has been in a parade or two and at some time over the years I learned how to drive it. My father tried to make sure it was started once a year and I only had a small interest in it, but always pleased it was in the family and still ran. About 40 years ago with the intention of trying to preserve it, I cleaned off the rust, primed and painted the truck body and box otherwise it would have all its original patina intact. The TT did not have an electric starter, but my father added one about 20 years ago. About 2 years ago I realized I had never started the TT on my own and my father was getting on in years. We had a family reunion the summer of 2018 and all of the children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren of my grandfather, the TT’s original owner, were to be all together. I checked over the wiring, coils, and started the TT on my own with the battery and runs very nicely on magneto. It was a big hit for rides during the get together. For myself, I was at an age of looking for a hobby. Using the internet made learning about this hobby much easier than it would have been years ago. My goal has been to make the TT dependable, presentable, and reasonably original. After cleaning out all the mouse nests, a growing number of minor repairs have been made since 2018. The TT has been promoted from the Old Model T Shed to a concreted machine shed and after 90+ years is now spending its winters in luxury with weight off the wheels. I am very happy to own a TT that has remained in the same family and on the same farm for its 94 years. Hope you enjoyed the story. Jim

Yes Jim, I did enjoy the story of your family's beloved TT. You are one of the lucky few to have the priviledge
of having one stay in the family "from the get-go". Lucky you! It looks nice. I bet it is all stock, and as such
is lucky to make it to 20 mph, but so what! It's fun regardless. Good for you. Enjoy it!

Welcome Jim! You've come to the right place, Great Story! The best thing you can do for yourself and the truck is to find a local club and get active. You are much more likely to drive it and enjoy it with a group of like minded hobbyists and an active club that tours. It's fun to see, and be, in a group of Model T's touring down the road and you are way more likely to drive it with them than just by yourself, and if there is any trouble, there are several Model T mechanics to help out. Welcome, and enjoy your new hobby!

Thank you for posting the story of your wonderful truck.

Marvelous!

Congratulations!!! What a good looking truck.

Awesome. It was a truck like yours that we snuck into Mrs. Miller's shed to
play on. That truck inspired me to finally get one of my own. Thanks for sharing.

Burger broke loose a memory of mine: I was 15 or 16 when I first slithered around and under a TT. Dad didn't want me to buy THAT one. OK. The seller was a bit of a shyster...
Flash forward near 40. Got one! He's....... Well, he's neat.
Very rare the family has owned that truck. Very cool!
Nice truck Jim! Welcome!

Great story, thank you for sharing!

Rick

The stories make the vehicles more appealing and more enjoyable! Thanks for sharing.

Hank

Great for you to have the truck and memories to go with it. I hope your family keeps this story going. I like the green!
Thanks for sharing it with us. Now drive it!