I recently bought a 1923 Touring car which seems to be in a remarkable state of preservation.
I don’t know how to drive it. I have watched videos and understand that all the way down on the left pedal is LOW Gear. How do I get the pedal back up to make it go into HIGH Gear?
Also is it necessary to hold the middle pedal down while backing up?
Do I have to do anything with the left pedal when going from forward to reverse?
Any instructions will be greatly appreciated?
Richard Cottingham
Need instructions for driving 23 Touring
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Topic author - Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue Jul 11, 2023 2:17 pm
- First Name: Richard
- Last Name: Cottingham
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Touring
- Location: Hampton Virginia
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- Posts: 4082
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:06 pm
- First Name: Jerry
- Last Name: Van
- Location: S.E. Michigan
Re: Need instructions for driving 23 Touring
Ask your questions here... https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=223 Touring wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2023 3:35 pmI recently bought a 1923 Touring car which seems to be in a remarkable state of preservation.
I don’t know how to drive it. I have watched videos and understand that all the way down on the left pedal is LOW Gear. How do I get the pedal back up to make it go into HIGH Gear?
Also is it necessary to hold the middle pedal down while backing up?
Do I have to do anything with the left pedal when going from forward to reverse?
Any instructions will be greatly appreciated?
Richard Cottingham
The section you're in now is for technical issues with the function of the forum itself.
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- Posts: 2531
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:17 pm
- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Strange
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Cut Off Touring (now a pickup)
- Location: Hillsboro, MO
- Board Member Since: 2013
Re: Need instructions for driving 23 Touring
If the transmission is working correctly, the left hand pedal will come up on its own when you release your foot pressure on it. If the hand brake lever is vertical (neutral), the left hand pedal will only go up partway, to neutral. If the hand brake lever is fully forward, the left hand pedal will come up further and the transmission will go into high gear. Try to match the engine speed to what you think it will be in high gear to minimize any jerking or shudder when high gear engages.
Yes, you need to hold pressure on the middle pedal when backing up under power. I make it a habit to put the hand brake lever in the vertical position (neutral) when backing up, that way if I release pressure on the reverse pedal the car will be in neutral and can continue to coast backwards (unless you press the brake pedal, of course).
My suggestion is to take the car to a large, flat parking lot or field and just practice! Soon you'll get the hang of it and it will seem natural.
Yes, you need to hold pressure on the middle pedal when backing up under power. I make it a habit to put the hand brake lever in the vertical position (neutral) when backing up, that way if I release pressure on the reverse pedal the car will be in neutral and can continue to coast backwards (unless you press the brake pedal, of course).
My suggestion is to take the car to a large, flat parking lot or field and just practice! Soon you'll get the hang of it and it will seem natural.

Mark Strange
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)
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Topic author - Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue Jul 11, 2023 2:17 pm
- First Name: Richard
- Last Name: Cottingham
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Touring
- Location: Hampton Virginia
Re: Need instructions for driving 23 Touring
Thank you for your concise and easy to understand response. This is really very helpful.