MTFCA Forum

Here is a nice story about a winter time trip around Europe in a Model T. Although the language is Finnish, the subtitles allow an understanding of what is transpiring. I think of Steve J. Or Dave H. Or Dean when a see videos of Model T journeys.

https://youtu.be/Qj5ABgjuK2c

Fantastic ode to love of Model T. So how many of us wimpy North Americans put up our cars for the winter?!?!?! In 1968 when I was yet young and immortal I drove my 1915 roadster from Northeast Ohio to Williamsburg, Virginia, in January, no modern car following. Once was enough.

Fascinating. Thanks. Now I have to warm up...

By the way, the language is Swiss German (Schwyzerdütsch), not Finnish.

Thanks Jeff! Heckuva video. Seldom do things hold my attention that long!!
Pity the production crew, outside across frozen fields, up high on hills, filming that car as it went by, presumably in a chill factor
well below zero! Crazy if you ask me!!

Wonder how he fared in Deutschland, that country has lots of pretty steep hills from what I've been told. Depends on the region of course. But from Finland straight down to Switzerland, would take him through the middle of a lot of high hill territory. Have relatives in the SW area, I've seen the pics.

That made my day

Fabulous video! It made me homesick "sort of". The language is Swiss German from the Cantone Zug as noted in the video. I lived in Basel for about 8 months and learned German (High German) but surrounded in Basel Deutsch. Nevertheless I was able to pick up on some of the dialect. I was delighted to follow some of the narration with help from the English subtitles; it took me back to many years ago. The final destination was Nord Kapp, Norway (I believe) which is a popular destination for car buffs out for an adventure. Nelson Driver

nelsondriver wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 06, 2020 2:59 pm

I lived in Basel for about 8 months and learned German (High German) but surrounded in Basel Deutsch. Nevertheless I was able to pick up on some of the dialect.

Nelson, grüezi wie gohts? I lived in Paris from March 1968 until January 1969. The non-Parisians in the hotel where I lived tended to hang around together, so I had a number of Swiss friends. Ended up attending a couple of weddings in Switzerland. A song that swept Europe shortly after that time was this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zVPKXTAxAQ

Ah, to be young again....

Great story, how to 'Live life to the max" with minimal equipment
Really made my day, and good incentive to start working on the Huckster again

DLodge: Es goht mir gut. Thanks, I have heard that greeting many times but never saw it spelled out. I was in Basel for much of 1964 then went to northeastern France (Alsace) until early 1966. Such memories! Merci vielmals.

I would like know what kind of tires he has.

Bill Mullins wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 07, 2020 3:31 pm

I would like know what kind of tires he has.

Good question Bill! I will try to find out, if I do I will post.

Wow. That was an amazing journey and a wonderful guy with the right attitude. On of the most interesting model T videos I have ever seen. Beautiful scenery. Thanks for sharing.

One of the Best video I saw about Model T Ford, probably the best ONE! Also nice testimonial, we feel the emotion and the philosophy behind that strong relationship between her and the driver. Thank you sharing this.

WOW and WOW!

Jeff. I hope you don't mind that I add this video to your post. Its another wonderful video of an adventures trip.
I know its been posted earlier, but why not see it again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhwVjJvEjAs

Thanks for adding the video Rolf! I actually saw Dirk gassing up the Model T in Duluth MN. back in 2013. He got away before I could greet him. Rolf, I sent you a PM.

I would be curious to know if in the two videos a Stock Model T, without external brakes like rocky mountains, without fuel pump, Original coils and coil box, no alternator, no ruckstell 2 speeds, standard tires can accomplish such a feat like these. Especially for going up and down steep slopes. Sometimes the slopes are very difficult to climb or descend for several miles ... And hard or impossible doing in reverse speed. I think we have a lot to learn from these experiences. Personally, I would like to go back and forth from Canada coast to coast. Do you have any comments in the goal to be successful with road trips like these.


Very inspiring these videos.

Mario. The 1915 model T is not stock. The engine is modified with pressure oil system, new crank and oil slingers.
Just watched this video. Its in Dutch so I can't understand the subtext, but the video shows some modifications being done. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUL21Xr2-bc

Again, beautiful videos, thanks for posting these!

Mario, the stock T can make trip as you posted, just have it in very good condition.

Have traveled week long Nat'l tours in places like Smoky Mtns, with lots of hills, done the Tail of the Dragon many times, (steep up and down 318 curves in 11 miles, no commercial vehicles allowed) , out West in Montana, climbed the Road to the Sun and back down, Rapid City, and several smaller tours on the Cumberland Plateau in TN, on logging roads, cut thru mountain passes, each very steep up and down.

My T is a '27 with cowl tank, so great gas feed, do have R-M brakes (but any T driver likes to have auxiliary brakes IMO), and a Ruckstell, that does help pull hills without holding down low pedal, but some I had to climb in just Ford low, as the Ruckstell low is just too slow. But good if you get stuck in a mud hole . The rest is all stock Ford, magneto, coils, and Ford electrical sys. Lizzie can do it if you can!

Rolf, in 2013 the Around the World Tour was in the United States and stopped in St. Louis. This is a picture of Dirk, Trudy and their Model T with some members of the St. Louis Model T Club. I'm in the red shirt and my twin grandchildren are on the fenders.

It was extra interesting for me because I lived in NL for over eight years and speak Dutch.

Dan Thank you for your comments. For sure Rocky Mountain is a must but I would like to avoid Ruckstell and try to holding down low pedal, but to climb in just Ford low could be chalenging for the one following us behind... For the gas on my side could be a chalenge when climbing a hill but I have 12" Keg Fuel Tank could be helpfull to make that happen (LMAO).

Rolf that video give me the taste and the kick off to try a special trip in the mountain this summer to practice a future crazy project as I said previously. Projects and dreams keep me alive!

Dick lucky you are meeting Dirk, Trudy and their Model T with some members of the St. Louis Model T Club. Cool picture!

T yours,