MTFCA Forum

People are always asking me how do we get more young people involved in the old cars. To make a long story short I tell them their are a few things that can be done. Of course all these things are subject to... can you afford to do this.

1. Give the youngster a car. A complete chassis covered in rust in grease is a good starting point and by the time that youngster works through all those components he will know more than most people in the model T world.
2. Give away parts for their project.
3. Sell parts to the youngster at a discounted rate.
4. Offer to help them with the rebuilding process and mentor them.

I'm 27, so I work full time and need to make a living still but I have an under 25 rule I've been following for a few years now. If someone 25 or under approaches me for help to rebuild a model T. I will help direct them on rebuilding each of the components whether it be the axles, wiring, carb rebuild, steering system, springs etc. They get one chance with me for each of the components to learn how to rebuild the parts, but if you come to me with a 2nd front axle or second spring assembly etc... then you're going to pay for my time. The youngster has 1 shot for each of the components to learn to rebuild them from start to finish. More often then not the youngster isn't going to be able to afford a second car for awhile anyhow plus he/she couldnt really afford it in the first place or really justify it. BUT when they drive it for the first time then all that work will be known to them as well worth it.

I met a father and son last night that live about an hour away from me. They came to buy a set of hard rubber demountable wheels for dads TT. Dad asked the son what do you have on your list....(I've got a bunch of black T parts, enough for a few complete chassis). The son, Tyler, 22 years old had a whole list he pulled out of his coat pocket, Steering column, steering wheel, ignition switch./amp gauge + bracket, firewall, horn, 2 rear demountable wheels and hubs, high rad shell, 2 head lights, 2 cowl lights, coil box, gas tank + straps, front crank bracket. We found just about everything on that list. I added up the price for everything and dropped off $200 at then end. I could afford to do that, but not much more. I was blown away that this 22 year old was building a TT dump truck.

Do your part and this hobby will carry on just fine.

Happy Motoring,
Seamus

Seamus,

It's happening! The grandson of a good friend of mine recently took ownership of his own Model T... free of charge. It needs a bit of work, which is a good thing, since he can learn a bunch of good skills to keep it going. The grandson is a fine young man, which makes it all the better. Loads of local T guys have all chipped in with parts & labor to help him out. I love it when good things happen to good people.

I'm on it Seamus, starting with my son...
(He's always wearing the same shirt because that's the one mom lets him get greasy)

Even if you have no parts to spare, or little expertise to share, you can get your T out and drive it. When people approach to look at the car and ask questions, which people of all ages will do, be sure to let them know that Model Ts in every condition are still widely available, and that there is a vast library of information, cars and parts for sale, and general support available online and in print. Mention MAFCA and provide the web address to anyone interested.

That’s great! In the last 20-30 years with all the so called advanced technology, the internet, cell phones, computers and etc the younger generation we have now can’t grasp that the world survived without it! They marvel how we things were done without computers and not having social media! Of course not all are that way but are more than you think.

Old technology and working on Model T’s with mostly simple hand tools and using basic ingenuity with your head and with your hands can be a real deal breaker for some of these young people.

Old cars that you can work on without a computer can be a real step up for our young folks to be more self starting and independent. I think it’s great that there are still the younger folks want to learn about it!

Parents have expose the kids to stuff,and sometimes when old geezers keep their cars of any sort or year, locked up in climate controlled garages,it is hard for the kids to see them and get curious about them.
So yea, get them out to the local cruise in or drive it to town.
Get them out there so people can see.
I seldom ever get a chance to help someone with a part or something because most of what i have is "junque" to the populaces but I can see it workable.
I think to if a person buys a gaggle of parts like a truck load for 50 bucks, and someone young or disadvantaged needing a part,don't try to sell 1 part for 250 to make a profit ,sell the part for a sensible price.it may help them alot.People have helped me over the years with affordable parts and I have tried to demonstrate that I did finish the truck I was building ,so they knew the parts were used.
Another thing,I know this may not go over well with some,but letting a supervised 2 year old get their picture took behind the wheel of the T is most likely not going to prompt a claim with Grundy and a total loss claim.
Besides I don't have that nice of a paint job anyway that they could hurt it much.So it is easier for me to think that way.
Here is a prime example to illustrate the first statement I made.
Sunday I drove to town to get a big can of PB blaster for my Republic project.
As I pulled into Orielys, This truck was sitting in the parking lot.
I knew the owners dad and the wrecker boom has been in the family for 3 generations,but this is not the original truck ,it is 1 he bought and built the bed for and put the boom on it. The bed was built from parts of a tanker trailer and other junk
A kid saw the truck on the hwy and begged his dad to let him see it close up.
And here is what made the kids day.-
He got to see the engine.Then he got to sit in it. "daddy I want 1"
As a side note,in the background you can see what prompted me to either learn mechanic work or walk.
I have been into cars since I got the Lincoln in 1984 at age 17.