Why no interest in a Model T - North America Register?

[Drobnock]

Every so often on the forum someone will ask how they can find the linage of their particular car. Post 1915 to 1927.

https://mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=39862

So why hasn/t there been an effort to document current extant Model Ts? A register.

Granted to go back to the day the vehicle was driven off the assdembly line, delivered to a dealer and the car begins its trip through its life time may be impossible. But those that survived and after in the ownership of today certainly can be documented

This is not a new idea: https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/5 ... 1424785082
https://forum.modeltfordfix.com/t/origi ... work/111/2

I started to begin a register of the 1922 Model T Coupes, with a limited response. about four.
https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/4 ... 1409277840
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=27918&view=next

To make matters simple
1. Motor Number or related number
2. Current location
3.Current owner
4, Body type
5. Current history/documentation on hand?

[Norman Kling]

Very simple! If most running cars are like mine, I have a whole assembly of used parts and some re-production parts all bolted together, painted and upholstered. Very unlikely any of the parts are together from the original car. Neverless, I have tried to make everything as authentic as I can for the particular year and model.
Norm

[TMiller6]

If you recall your movies, Navin Johnson came close to getting shot when his name was printed in the phone book.

I am starting to believe there is too much information out there. One of my other cars is documented in a Model A article because the TC number on the body sill versus its frame number was requested to estimate plant production quantities. That information is not directly tied to my name.

Even at my church, parishioners have asked to have their contact information removed from the church directory. As I get older and have time to mull things over; I’m starting to appreciate privacy.

[Mark Gregush]

Maybe because a VERY LARGE PECENTAGE of Model T owners are not, nor want to be, involved in any clubs or those activities and because some people just do not want others to know what they have. Me I don't care one way or the other.
I have 2 copies of this clubs rosters from a few years back along with a Dodge Brothers club roster. But those are just members and none list all the members and their cars.

[John kuehn]

I agree with Tmiller6. Privacy is getting to be more important as we get older at least for me and the wife. There is to much personal information that can be had by unscrupulous people.
There was a time before the digital age that personal information was fairly safe. But not anymore. And that’s to bad.

[ModelTWoods]

Maybe because a VERY LARGE PECENTAGE of Model T owners are not, nor want to be, involved in any clubs or those activities and because some people just do not want others to know what they have. Me I don't care one way or the other.
I have 2 copies of this clubs rosters from a few years back along with a Dodge Brothers club roster. But those are just members and none list all the members and their cars.

I agree with Mark G. and Tom M. Both have valid points. How many times have you read or heard of an antique car and/or parts being stolen? True, it doesn't happen every day, but if you are the victim, one time is too many. Thieves having access to a registry, just makes their crime easier to commit and possibly, get away with.
As Mark stated there are many owners who want privacy, particularly if they have more than one antique car, and there are so many cars and trucks (T and TT) that were assembled, not on the assembly line, but from a pile of parts in someone's back yard. Also, Many T's don't have the motor that they had when they left the assembly line.
The last registry of sorts that I know of, was a club membership directory of the MTFCI that was published in 2003, 21 years AGO! I have one of these directories and no doubt, many of the T owners listed have either passed away or have sold their car or cars. Every now and then, if I need some information, I'll pull this book out and look for a name and address. Sometimes I find it; sometimes I don't.

[rickd]

I wish I hadn't read this post this morning. Depressing. How are we going to continue to keep the Model T hobby active and continue to attract younger generations to be the next stewards of our cars if we don't share them with the world?

I belong to a Shelby Mustang national registry and it has been invaluable. Sharing authenticity details and learning the history of the cars is a great part of collecting. I have been able to speak to former owners, get pictures of a long ago restoration and even received an original owners manual from a previous owner.

I certainly respect the posters opinions on this topic and understand their privacy concerns. I also know that a Model T registry probably wont happen at this stage with the declining membership and interest in the Model T hobby. That lack of interest is paired with a notable decline in the value of our cars. Now thats depressing.

[Drobnock]

Interesting responses.

Worried about privicy? With the internet and a list of forum members names, I would say those worring about privicy are late to the discussion.

Again thanks for the response. The book - From Here to Obscurity: An Illustrated History of the Model T Ford, 1909 - 1927 - is on target.

Obscurity: abstruse, clear as mud, dark, deep, doubtful, enigmatical, far-out, hazy, illegible, illogical, impenetrable, incomprehensible, inconceivable, incredible, indecisive, indefinite, indeterminate, indistinct, inexplicable, inscrutable, insoluble, intricate, opaque, recondite, unaccountable, unbelievable, unclear

[TXGOAT2]

The best way to generate new interest in Model Ts is to drive one. Even in this rural area, I have spent a lot of time showing my car to interested people of all ages and sorts and discussing Ts with them. I always mention that there are usually Ts available for purchase, in about any condition
that anyone could imagine, at attractive prices compared with most other antique cars, and that information and support is available here and elsewhere.

[TXGOAT2]

Government makes sure no one has privacy. Many businesses are about as bad, and they are determined to get your information online, by hook or by crook. Think Google, et al....
Renewing a driver's license now requires surrendering just about everything in the way of information, even if you've lived in the same county and state under the same name and gender and held a license with the same number and with no suspensions for over 60 years.

[John kuehn]

Yes.
There is a lot of information about Model T’s that’s been developed over the last 40 + years.
That’s a very positive thing that has happened. Even 50 years ago Model T’s were being scrapped for parts and left out in fields to later being scrapped. That was a common thing to see at the back of a farm. It’s a wonder that lots of Model T’s survived at all. And the reason they did there were so many built up from parts and kept original as best as they can.
A great majority that’s still going today is because that people like me and others built up Model T’s from parts we gathered up here and there.
Interest will always be there for Henry’s Model T.

[Mark Gregush]

OT George how come you are posting under a new account?

[ModelTWoods]

Just because a poster disagrees with the thoughts and ideas of other members, it is not a reason to ridicule the ones they disagree with on this Forum. Some of the same members who say they would like a registry to gain knowledge and information about T's from others, don't like it when members post their reasons for not having a registry and that's providing knowledge and information, too.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

Just because a poster disagrees with the thoughts and ideas of other members, it is not a reason to ridicule the ones they disagree with on this Forum. Some of the same members who say they would like a registry to gain knowledge and information about T's from others, don't like it when members post their reasons for not having a registry and that's providing knowledge and information, too.

Terry,

I believe the title of this thread posed a question, "Why no interest..." To that end, folks offered their reasons as to why. I have seen no instances of ridicule in any response, (unless someone deleted something that I missed). The notion of stating reasons both pro & con is simply discussion.

[Drobnock]

Unread post by Mark Gregush » Wed Oct 23, 2024 10:28 am

OT George how come you are posting under a new account?

Well, fair question. - I am computer challanged, and that being said, forgotten pass words, failure of Microsoft 10/11 saving pass words, and just memory loss.

[Mark Gregush]

Fair enough, just wondering. Jeff or Chris might be able to help recover the lost password.

[ModelTWoods]

Just because a poster disagrees with the thoughts and ideas of other members, it is not a reason to ridicule the ones they disagree with on this Forum. Some of the same members who say they would like a registry to gain knowledge and information about T's from others, don't like it when members post their reasons for not having a registry and that's providing knowledge and information, too.

Terry,

I believe the title of this thread posed a question, "Why no interest..." To that end, folks offered their reasons as to why. I have seen no instances of ridicule in any response, (unless someone deleted something that I missed). The notion of stating reasons both pro & con is simply discussion.

Jerry, I'm not going to say which post, but I did detect a bit of sarcasm in a post. Maybe I just misinterpreted the particular poster's meaning. I don't consider myself an over sensitive person so when I detect something in a post, it has to strike a cord with me. As for a registry, the fact that I own two T's their years, and their body types, are already known to the national club I belong to, as you furnish that information on the form that you submit a membership form. Yes, it might be interesting to me to know how many T's of each year and body type that I own, that are still in operating condition, but it is not important for me to know the names, addresses, and contact information of every owner who owns a T of the same year and body style unless they want their information to be public knowledge. As for sharing information on T's, I don't claim to be a know-it-all, but I will readily share anything I know about a T with anyone and I will tell them if If my information is second hand, or if I have a source to back the info, up. All anyone has to do is post here on the Forum or contact me by email. For any reader's information, I did furnish my name, T's owned, and contact information back in 2003 for the MTFCI membership directory, so I am not against such a registry. I just think compiling one that is even 99% complete and accurate would be near impossible without the 99-100% participation of all owners. otherwise the time and effort to compile such a registry would be useless and futile.

[Drobnock]

FYI
Comments?
Paraell post-- similiar questions?

Maybe Not!

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