MTFCA Forum

Today’s release on Jay’s YouTube channel had him teaching one of his producers how to drive a model T. While many will disagree with his methodology, I have to admit that it is a real nice car.


Andy

What car guy doesn't love Leno....
Nice video, despite some cringe worthy statements/actions...

needs the lay the hell off the hand brake.

EDIT: I see Jay used it as a training tool, and got him away from it quickly enough.

otherwise it's good for the continuation of future generations.... I like Jay's videos


I have been planning to make my own overall video, maybe I'll make a model T overview AND a driving video.

bookmarked that video... 2 cool things together right there!
Thanks for posting the link to it.

I'm about a month out from being in that seat, just waiting on some parts.

Question: Without a Ruckell Axle and in Colorado (high altitude), what would the estimated top speed be for a Model-T?

fireheadman wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 19, 2025 11:16 am

bookmarked that video... 2 cool things together right there!
Thanks for posting the link to it.

I'm about a month out from being in that seat, just waiting on some parts.

Question: Without a Ruckell Axle and in Colorado (high altitude), what would the estimated top speed be for a Model-T?

I can't speak for the effects of altitude on top speed, but I can tell you that a Ruckstell does not make a T go faster. It's not an overdrive. It gives a low range, like having a 2nd gear, to enable climbing grades without using low pedal.

Just one of a few of Leno's Faux pas.... calling the rux an overdrive...

Enjoyed the video. A lot of cringe worthy moments.

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 19, 2025 11:50 am

fireheadman wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 19, 2025 11:16 am

bookmarked that video... 2 cool things together right there!
Thanks for posting the link to it.

I'm about a month out from being in that seat, just waiting on some parts.

Question: Without a Ruckell Axle and in Colorado (high altitude), what would the estimated top speed be for a Model-T?

I can't speak for the effects of altitude on top speed, but I can tell you that a Ruckstell does not make a T go faster. It's not an overdrive. It gives a low range, like having a 2nd gear, to enable climbing grades without using low pedal.

thank you for the clarification.... that might be helpful in a few areas out here.
I'll save it for a future upgrade once the basics are in place and working as expected

I watched until they got into the cringeworthy cranking, then I bailed. Jay said a Model T is an easy start, and it should be, but that one was stubborn. Probably because people were watching.

For someone wanting to learn to drive a model T, Mitch Taylor has a much better tutorial video. In any case, there’s a LOT of practice required to develop the muscle memory to drive one smoothly and safely.

I would like him to put up a revision on how to hold the crank starter before someone gets hurt.

His T shouldn't be so hard to crank. There is a clutch/linkage issue.

Every Model T his to video I have seen has “issues” in my opinion. The difference is a lot more people will see this one. If it draws attention to our hobby, so much the better. The pluses outweigh any miscues.

Andy

Hey guys,

Keep in mind that this video, and the entire "Jay Leno's Garage" series, is created for it's entertainment value. These are not really intended as instructional videos. As referenced by previous posters, there are better instructional videos available for those that are trying to learn. This video looks to be Jay's version of the conversation that we all have with the public in grocery store parking lots. Because he's got a crew, cameras, and plenty of time to put out a polished product, his "introduction" to Model Ts is more in depth than our parking lot explanations, but the intent is the same, just expose folks to some, not all, of the idiosyncrasies of our beloved Ts.

Keep crankin',
Eric

"Question: Without a Ruckell Axle and in Colorado (high altitude), what would the estimated top speed be for a Model T?"

Same as one without on a downgrade. On a steep downgrade, about any Model T with an engine in it will go way over 50 MPH, which is too fast for a stock engine without overdrive. Speed going uphill depends a lot on the condition and body type of the car. A Ruxtel or other auxiliary gearing can be a big help on steep upgrades. There is a formula for how much power is lost per 1000 feet of added elevation. I think it's 3% per thousand, maybe 5%. High elevation reduces available oxygen in the air and lowers the engine's compression. It can also reduce the cooling system's ability to get rid of heat. Headwinds and tailwinds can have a substantial effect on the car's performance, especially a headwind on a long steep slope. If I drove a lot in mountain country, I'd want a KC Warford transmission, a Prus head, and some auxiliary brakes. I'd want to avoid carrying any needless weight. Weight works against both grade climbing and braking, so the less the better.

Thin, high mountain air will reduce both your engine braking and your aerodynamic drag, so be extra cautious when making steep descents at high altitudes. Be wary of brake fade. It's very real, and it can be deadly.

The Montana boys AVERAGE 53mph. Average. That includes thru towns @ 25mph. Down hill, 70 mph is common. These are "stock" engines.

The speed of a model T depends on its horse power & tune. So 8-55mph? up hill, depending on the grade.

Speedytinc and Txgoat2 .... Your responses sound more like artificial intelligence. . really ?????

How so? Heck, I don't even have a cell phone. But when I was in school, they taught me to READ. That gave me ready access to thousands of years of accumulated knowledge from countless sources.

Moxie26 wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 21, 2025 5:42 pm

Speedytinc and Txgoat2 .... Your responses sound more like artificial intelligence. . really ?????

I expect no less from you.

Nor I from you

@Steve (Jelf), if you look in the comments, I have linked to your video showing how to start a '15 Model T

I for one enjoyed the video and Jays approach is much the same as I follows when I teach someone to drive the T. I just hate those videos that instructs to use the handbrake to go from low to high. My theory is that it originates from a guy at Ford Motor Company in UK, who use that approach. Many of the ones doing that on instruction videos may have learned driving T by that fellow at FMC.
I have however learned that it may be helpful to pull the hangbrake halfway (neutral) when reversing

Regarding their trouble getting it going: I think they just fumbled too much with the choker so it was drowned. My ´14 is handcranked only and most times it starts right up, but sometimes it just wont until many pulls or a push of the car. I think they had a similar moment in the video.

How fast will your Model T go, 40mph, 45mph, 50mph? Doesn't matter because you only have brakes for 32mph. The real question is not how fast will it go but fast will it stop!