In fact, at its zenith of production, Ford plants could turn raw materials into a finished Model T in only 3 days!* In some respects, I guess you could say they were the roughage that kept Ford plants regular.
I also remember the late Jon “Snuffy” Williams, my high school history teacher at John Marshall, telling our class that the Model T was important because it was the first time a guy and a girl could get into a car with a couple blankets, tell everyone they were going to a football game, and drive off into the country with no questions asked.
Seeing a restored and running Model T is a pretty cool experience. It’s a moving snapshot of history and seeing one drive past makes you wonder what the streets must have looked like when they were primarily traveled by Model T’s.
And while seeing one Model T is great, the chance to see a couple hundred Model T’s (241 to be exact) all lined up in show formation, is a must-attend event for anyone even remotely interested in classic cars.
Rochester area residents will have that chance this Tuesday, July 19 when the Model T Ford Club, who are having their 55th Annual Tour event in Rochester, will be at the History Center of Olmsted County with over 200 Model T’s on display from 9-11 AM.
The display at the History Center also has a competitive component to it, as Model T’s from 15 different classes (open touring cars, sedans, modified speedsters, and commercial trucks, to name a few) will be judged against one another.
And don’t be fooled by the famous Henry Ford quote, “Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black” fool you into thinking these cars all look the same. Model T’s didn’t even come in black until 1914, and these Model T’s are customized and chock full of nuance to make each of them unique.
The Model T Ford Club is the oldest and most active Model T Club in existence. It was founded in December 1952 and is dedicated to the preservation of the history, literature, and accessories of the Model T Ford. They publish a magazine (The Model T Times), have a website full of Model T resources (http://www.modelt.org), and also have chapters around the world. Three couples who are members of the Australian chapter even flew in for this week’s festivities!
For more information about the History Center showing on Tuesday, and other Model T Tour events happening in SE Minnesota, visit Model T Ford Club’s calendar of events.
Rochester area residents will have that chance this Tuesday, July 19 when the Model T Ford Club, who are having their 55th Annual Tour event in Rochester, will be at the History Center of Olmsted County with over 200 Model T’s on display from 9-11 AM.
The display at the History Center also has a competitive component to it, as Model T’s from 15 different classes (open touring cars, sedans, modified speedsters, and commercial trucks, to name a few) will be judged against one another.
And don’t be fooled by the famous Henry Ford quote, “Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black” fool you into thinking these cars all look the same. Model T’s didn’t even come in black until 1914, and these Model T’s are customized and chock full of nuance to make each of them unique.
The Model T Ford Club is the oldest and most active Model T Club in existence. It was founded in December 1952 and is dedicated to the preservation of the history, literature, and accessories of the Model T Ford. They publish a magazine (The Model T Times), have a website full of Model T resources (http://www.modelt.org), and also have chapters around the world. Three couples who are members of the Australian chapter even flew in for this week’s festivities!
For more information about the History Center showing on Tuesday, and other Model T Tour events happening in SE Minnesota, visit Model T Ford Club’s calendar of events.
*Stats obtained from Model T Ford Club’s website: http://www.modelt.org/
Coming up in my next post:
I’m super excited about my next post, which will take me to the 64th Annual International Jugglers’ Association (IJA) Juggling Festival that is being held in Rochester. It will feature “a full week of juggling, workshops, competitions, world-class performances, games, late-night shows, joggling, a parade, fire nights, busking, and so much more!” Plus, if the RCVB and I can come to an agreement about hospital bills, I will try my hand at juggling chainsaws. After that, I will try my limb at juggling fire.
Coming up in my next post:
I’m super excited about my next post, which will take me to the 64th Annual International Jugglers’ Association (IJA) Juggling Festival that is being held in Rochester. It will feature “a full week of juggling, workshops, competitions, world-class performances, games, late-night shows, joggling, a parade, fire nights, busking, and so much more!” Plus, if the RCVB and I can come to an agreement about hospital bills, I will try my hand at juggling chainsaws. After that, I will try my limb at juggling fire.
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