Model T hill climb still around?

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
John kuehn
Posts: 4433
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:00 pm
First Name: John
Last Name: Kuehn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
Location: Texas

Model T hill climb still around?

Post by John kuehn » Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:35 pm

Saw this today and was wondering if this still goes on. Is the T group still around as the MTFC inc. Maybe before it was changed to MTFCA or?
Attachments
IMG_0473.jpeg

User avatar

Craig Leach
Posts: 1906
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 12:22 am
First Name: craig
Last Name: leach
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919 Firetruck/1922 Speedster
Location: Laveen Az

Re: Model T hill climb still around?

Post by Craig Leach » Sun Feb 09, 2025 12:08 am

google 2024 long beach model T club hill climb
Craig


Daisy Mae
Posts: 348
Joined: Mon May 06, 2024 9:32 pm
First Name: Kurt
Last Name: Andersson
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring
Location: Panama City Beach, FL

Re: Model T hill climb still around?

Post by Daisy Mae » Sun Feb 09, 2025 10:10 am

That pic brought back childhood memories of Long Beach.
Not the T/hill climb, but the oil well derricks.
The skyline looks much different now than the "Porcepine Hill" I recall of towers and grasshoppers. Even then, my memory is nothing compared to how it was in the 20's when a well tower sat on literally every square inch of LB. (Literally, yes, bit of LB '20's trivia, oil leases weren't offered per normal units of acreage, but literally sold in units of inches!)
Call me anything you want...just so long as it isn't "late for dinner"


modeltspaz
Posts: 254
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:15 am
First Name: Mike
Last Name: Spaziano
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Touring
Location: Bellflower, California

Re: Model T hill climb still around?

Post by modeltspaz » Sun Feb 09, 2025 2:09 pm

The last "official" Long Beach Model T Club Hillclimb was in 1979 and was won by Nick D'Antonio, who had the best time.

When it came time to organize the Hillclimb for 1980, there was a problem with the four entities that controlled the properties surrounding Hill Street. Shell Oil Company, the City of Signal Hill, the City of Long Beach, and a fourth company who's name escapes me. These four groups informed the club that they needed to provide a large liability insurance policy to cover any damage to person or property in the event of an accident. This was all due to a group of skateboarders that were using the hill to race- DOWN! Reports are that during one skateboarding event, the surrounding area ran out of available ambulances to transport injured skateboarders to the hospital.

Over the following few years, several attempts were made to organize another Hillclimb, however, an agreement could not be reached, the required amount of insurance was astronomical, so the Long Beach Model T Club Hillclimb became a memory.

When I was President of the club in 2000, we were contacted by the City of Signal Hill about organizing another hillclimb. The then City Manager contacted the club to gather information on the hillclimb. Being the President, I put together an information kit, including a newly produced DVD about the Hillclimb produced by local resident Dennis Morowski for his "I Remember Long Beach" series. After several weeks had passed, I contacted the woman that I dropped off the kit with. She informed me that she no longer was involved in that project and gave me the contact number of the new person. I contacted the new person who did not hesitate to tell me that he had absolutely no interest in pursuing this venture and bid me a good day. Case closed.

The year 2024 marked the 100th anniversary of the City of Signal Hill. The city contacted the Long Beach Model T Club to help with providing Model Ts for various celebrations involving the 100th anniversary. One of those events was a limited Hillclimb event held in August. There were a limited number of cars. The City wasn't really sure how big of a turnout they would see. The turnout was fantastic. The club received countless calls about entering their car in the Hillclimb. I was approached by a middle aged man at the meeting place after the event and asked if I remembered the Ton Truck that ran the hill with the enormous hay stack. I never actually attended a hillclimb personally but I told him that I knew of it. He then told me that he was Grover Seguine's Grandson. Grover would have a different "load" on his truck every year. One year he had a giant sized six-pack of Coors in cans. Another year it was four enormous ignition coils.
The city was very pleased with all things involved. Nothing is for sure, but the Mayor eluded to a possible Hillclimb for 2025. Since the Mayor is a "Pro-tem", we'll have to wait and see what the rest of the year brings.

Stay tuned.

Mike "modeltspaz" Spaziano.
Knowledge that isn't shared, is wasted knowledge.


DHort
Posts: 2826
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 1:30 pm
First Name: Dave
Last Name: Hjortnaes
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 24 Speedster, 20 touring
Location: Men Falls, WI

Re: Model T hill climb still around?

Post by DHort » Sun Feb 09, 2025 2:23 pm

I know of only 3 Hill Climbs, but I am sure there are more.

1. Newport Hill Climb, Indiana
2. International Speedsters Trials and Reunion, Nebraska
3. Hill Climb somewhere in Iowa, contact Birdhaven for location


ThreePedalTapDancer
Posts: 1631
Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2019 2:29 pm
First Name: Ed
Last Name: Martin
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1909 Touring
Location: Idaho

Re: Model T hill climb still around?

Post by ThreePedalTapDancer » Sun Feb 09, 2025 2:24 pm

Here is a brief glimpse into the past.

https://youtu.be/eBrE8FGgJrQ?si=JvneDCWib3EtPA7d


Daisy Mae
Posts: 348
Joined: Mon May 06, 2024 9:32 pm
First Name: Kurt
Last Name: Andersson
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring
Location: Panama City Beach, FL

Re: Model T hill climb still around?

Post by Daisy Mae » Sun Feb 09, 2025 2:40 pm

Thanks for the background Mike.

As a prior organizer of Mustang race (tracks)/show events, I can attest things we did decades ago are near impossible now simply due to liability as well as local regulations, costs and fees...
If it's fun, somebody is going to have their hand out. But sadly, truth is also if someone gets hurt personal responsibility doesn't exist and deep pockets will pay instead.

Case in point, as a minister performing weddings on the beach for the tourists, our city last year implemented a permit & fee requirement. The basis was to "control large gatherings on the beach" Total BS...wedding groups of typically 5 to 20 people needing to pay a fee... next to tents of 30-40 tourists who don't. It's all about the money...
Call me anything you want...just so long as it isn't "late for dinner"

User avatar

jsaylor
Posts: 411
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:25 pm
First Name: John
Last Name: Saylor
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1921 Touring, 1927 Tudor
Location: Citrus Heights, Ca
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Model T hill climb still around?

Post by jsaylor » Sun Feb 09, 2025 5:29 pm

The F.A.S.T. group still holds their annual hill climb at the Auburn Airport. Not as steep as Signal Hill.
Attachments
Hill Climp 23.jpg


AndyClary
Posts: 835
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:15 am
First Name: Andrew
Last Name: Clary
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Runabout 1926 Coupe. Mercury Speedster #1249
Location: Usa

Re: Model T hill climb still around?

Post by AndyClary » Mon Feb 10, 2025 9:24 am

F.A.S.T. Spring Hill climb is in Virginia City, May 17th. It’s a good backdrop for the hill climb and the city is 100% behind it. While F.A.S.T. Is technically a Model A thing they have classes for Model T’s, from stock to the Wild Cherry. I’ll be running my Mercury.

Andy


Dave Sullivan
Posts: 63
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:35 pm
First Name: David
Last Name: Sullivan
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923
Location: Bellingham WA

Re: Model T hill climb still around?

Post by Dave Sullivan » Mon Feb 10, 2025 12:54 pm

Virginia City, Nevada? Four cylinders only? Hope I see you there. Dave Sullivan, Bellingham


AndyClary
Posts: 835
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:15 am
First Name: Andrew
Last Name: Clary
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Runabout 1926 Coupe. Mercury Speedster #1249
Location: Usa

Re: Model T hill climb still around?

Post by AndyClary » Mon Feb 10, 2025 3:01 pm

Info is on their website. Vintagefastfords.com. Limited to pre-35 4 cylinders.

Andy


SurfCityGene
Posts: 681
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2019 3:00 pm
First Name: Gene
Last Name: Carrothers
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 Torpedo Roadster
Location: Huntington Beach, Ca
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Model T hill climb still around?

Post by SurfCityGene » Tue Feb 11, 2025 2:16 pm

John, Yes, The 2024 Model T Signal Hill Climb was a huge success! Ed Archer brought his #4 speedster and clocked the fastest time of the 10 cars that were allowed to reenact the event. Although the hill is not quite the same challenge as original most all of the spectators were in awe of the T's zooming up the hill amazed that cars like the T could still even run and drive!

This was promoted by the city of Signal Hill to commemorate their 100 anniversary. It could be possible that a similar event may be held again as the city was excited to such a big turnout. Hopefully more cars will be allowed as many others showed interest it driving their cars.

The event was originally started by the LB club one day getting ready for a local tour when someone decided they should use a run up the Hill to see if the cars were ready to continue on the tour!

PS BTW My '12 Torpedo had the fastest time of the flathead engines!
1912 Torpedo Roadster

User avatar

babychadwick
Posts: 653
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:03 am
First Name: Chad
Last Name: Azevedo
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Boattail speedster, 1912 Tourabout project, 1927 Speedster (build), 1929 Buick (future T tow car)
Location: Henderson, TN
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Model T hill climb still around?

Post by babychadwick » Thu Feb 27, 2025 7:52 am

For those that want to reminisce. . .
Untitled.jpg
"Those who fail to plan, plan to fail"


TXGOAT2
Posts: 7391
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:08 pm
First Name: Pat
Last Name: McNallen
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926-7 roadster
Location: Graham, Texas
Board Member Since: 2021

Re: Model T hill climb still around?

Post by TXGOAT2 » Mon Mar 03, 2025 9:51 am

So much of our Liberty has been lost. It disgusts me.


TXGOAT2
Posts: 7391
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:08 pm
First Name: Pat
Last Name: McNallen
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926-7 roadster
Location: Graham, Texas
Board Member Since: 2021

Re: Model T hill climb still around?

Post by TXGOAT2 » Mon Mar 03, 2025 9:52 am

An open border, for instance, is a lot bigger threat to far more people than is a hill climb or any similar event.


modeltspaz
Posts: 254
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:15 am
First Name: Mike
Last Name: Spaziano
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Touring
Location: Bellflower, California

Re: Model T hill climb still around?

Post by modeltspaz » Mon Mar 03, 2025 11:09 am

I have often times asked "Who was the person that outlawed fun, anyway?"

I figured it out. It's not a person, it's a group of people. They're called "Insurance Companies". Insurance companies love to take in premiums. However, they absolutely detest paying settlements. It affects the bottom line and angers the stock holders.

There are four different "Corporations" that own the Hill. All four are "incorporated". When someone stubs their toe, they call their local attorney to see about cashing in on that opportunity that knocks only once.

And there you have it. A bit oversimplified perhaps, but I'm sure that you get the gist of it.
Knowledge that isn't shared, is wasted knowledge.


YellowTRacer
Posts: 565
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 6:55 pm
First Name: Ed
Last Name: Archer
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 replica Transcontinental race car, 1915 2 man race car, 1918 American bodied speedster
Location: 1807 East Ave. Hayward, CA 94541
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 2009

Re: Model T hill climb still around?

Post by YellowTRacer » Mon Mar 03, 2025 4:55 pm

Alright guys let's really put the blame where it belongs!!! We all do "stupid" things and most of the time call it fun. Nothing wrong with that. It is fun and challenging. Whether its running a Model T up a hill as fast as it will go, riding a skate board down a steep hill, climbing someone elses a tall tree, the list is endless. As soon as something disastrous happens, rather than accept the blame, we try to blame everyone else, and sue everyone associated with the situation. The tree owner, the land owner(s), the people that run the event, company that built the car, skate board etc etc. It's our current (last 70/80 yrs.) generation. WE ARE THE PROBLEM!

User avatar

babychadwick
Posts: 653
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:03 am
First Name: Chad
Last Name: Azevedo
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Boattail speedster, 1912 Tourabout project, 1927 Speedster (build), 1929 Buick (future T tow car)
Location: Henderson, TN
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Model T hill climb still around?

Post by babychadwick » Mon Mar 03, 2025 6:16 pm

When someone asks how old you are the correct answer is "Old enough to know better, young enough to try again" I think we all fit this from time to time.
"Those who fail to plan, plan to fail"


AndyClary
Posts: 835
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:15 am
First Name: Andrew
Last Name: Clary
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Runabout 1926 Coupe. Mercury Speedster #1249
Location: Usa

Re: Model T hill climb still around?

Post by AndyClary » Sat Apr 26, 2025 10:49 pm

In case anyone was thinking of going, the Virginia City hill climb in May has been cancelled. The city was unable to make promised road repairs in time.

Andy

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic