An open letter to Jonah D'Avella

[perry kete]

Greetings Jonah,

Welcome to the wonderful world of Model T's.
I have read the many posts you have written since you purchased your 1926 Touring and your excitement and enthusiasm is wonderful and I wish you all the best with your restoration project but let me offer some unsolicited advice. I see you looking at all the parts available in the classified section and many accessories that can be added to your car and that you are going to attend your first swap meet. I would suggest that you take a deep breath, step back for a second and revisit what your '26 Touring needs to get it running safely. Learn what the correct parts are for a '26, then select the items you wish to purchase. Once you get it running then you can enjoy the experience of learning to drive it and then start to add the accessories you like.

Take lots of pictures before, during, and after restoration. They are a great way to show how hard you worked to make the car run and a great reminder of everything you did. Pictures are also a great resource for showing how the piece goes back together once you have it apart.

For your first swap meet make a list of the items you need for your car and carry it with you, take a wagon or heavy duty canvas bag to carry your purchases in and be sure to have a water bottle.

Best of luck and I hope we meet someday
Denny

[Jonah D'Avella]

Thank you for the advice!

[Henry K. Lee]

I could not agree more Denny!

Young man.., buy books too in order to get educated on the operations of items in the era. Set priorities.

We have all been young with spunk!

All the Best,

Hank

[Dan Hatch]

Best advice I have seen on the forum. Books you need info. Get the Ford service manual. Best if you find a hard back original one. You can see the pictures. You can sometimes find on Tbay.
Get the hard back copy of Car that changed the world. Best for finding what your car needs. Good luck at Luray. Dan

[Norman Kling]

I agree with the above. There are quite a few parts for a 1926 which are different from the earlier models. So be sure the parts will fit your car before you buy them, however, if you do see something at a swap meet which is in really good condition and you really do need it for your car, be sure to buy it before you go looking farther because when you come back you might find it was sold. However, if the part is not in very good condition, and if you buy it, you will probably find one better at the swap meet or in another swap meet, so if you do buy something, be sure it is in very good condition.
Norm

[Rich Eagle]

Seeing this hobby through new eyes is a treat for me. It brings back so many memories of my first days with a Model T. The hobby continues to be wonderful but we sometimes forget some of the magic along the way.
Thanks for the interest and comments.
Rich

[John Codman]

I agree with the above posts. A good life lesson is to remember that the least expensive way to accomplish anything, is to do it right the first time. Purchasing really good used parts, and quality new ones means that you will not have to spend extra dollars and extra time trying to make it right. I have rarely found a used part that was ready to be installed as is.

[Steve Jelf]

I have rarely found a used part that was ready to be installed as is.

Yes, at the very least it will probably need cleaning and painting. In the case of a radiator, a good question is: Why is it for sale instead of being used?

[Allan]

Steve, I was of the same opinion about replacement parts needing attention before re-using same, until I found Henrietta. The first side mirror I found for her had too good a coat of paint so I kept hunting for a more used one to match her general patina. Keeping her looking like the survivor she is means a new take on what is required of the parts needed.
I have a job working on another buckboard just like her. it requires a replacement back wheel, and the owner is most pleased that I an supply one for him. I just wish I could post photos of this one as the refurbishment progresses.

Allan from down under.

[jab35]

Hi Jonah: Welcome to the Model T world, I enjoy your posts for their honest enthusiasm and curiosity.

I support what others are saying, get books/CD's etc and read as much as you can about the model T. As you already know, there's a lot of info on the web too, some of it is excellent, some requires 'interpretation'. Mr Jelf has a good web site for pre '26 model T's but you can still learn things there. A couple of my other favorite web sites for 'the improved Model T's of 1926-27 are: http://www.cimorelli.com/mtdl/1927/default.htm and Mike Bender's repair videos, relevant to all Model T's; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz9Cs_ ... d6e-WMvuRQ

I respectfully suggest focusing on getting your car roadworthy first, if it ran ok without a waterpump, start without one, it will stop without Rocky Mountain brakes if you verify the functionality and if lacking, fully restore the transmission brake AND the emergency brake. A little detective work in searching old forum posts will yield much relevant information in the area of basic safety as well as accessories and addon's. I saw you post in the Forum classified's asking value of some parts/accessories. You can get an idea of value of parts by looking at online catalogs (and some vendors have used parts that aren't listed in their regular catalogs). My experience valuing used parts is to keep the new price in mind and carefully inspect used parts for completeness and wear. There are bargains out there for sure, but there is a lot of well worn stuff too that can require additional investment of $$ and effort to make it functional or safe.

I wish you and your new Model T well, best to you, jb

[perry kete]

Jonah, Are birthday wishes due you? I see that when you first posted on August 18th you listed your age as 14 and now I see it listed at 15 on October 7th if so then :

720597.gif (13.35 KiB) Viewed 3197 times

[Dan Hatch]

Did he make it to Luray?

[Jonah D'Avella]

Yes and yes and thank you!

[James_Lyons-WV]

Jonathan and his family were a breath of fresh air at the meet.i enjoyed the several conversations we had, and most of all, we were never so pleased as to be there to experience Jonahs very first time behind the wheel of a Model T! Dennis Flemming fired up his Unrestored coupe and gave Jonah his first driving lesson while we all looked on. He drove it like a PRO!!! When they were finished, Dennis took Jonah's dad for his first drive as well. It was without a doubt, the high point of the meet...

[rofirestone]

Thank you Dennis, that is Showing good T Spirit To a young one, he will never forget you.

[Jonah D'Avella]

I wanted to thank all of you for the help and advice you all have given me! I am enjoying meeting the Model T community!

Jonah D'Avella