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How To Drive A 1916 Ford Model T

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P161911 probably shoudn't have
07/01/09

In reply to How To Drive A 1916 Ford Model T
This reminds me of Jay Leno's confrontation with a valet that wanted to park his Model T: [www.tmz.com]
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crankcase - always getting the shaft
07/01/09

In reply to How To Drive A 1916 Ford Model T
I'm a bit confused on how reverse works. There doesn't seem to be any sort of neutral, just low & high for forward and the pedal for reverse. Does using reverse somehow override high/low?
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Flathead Smith
07/01/09

@crankcase - always getting the shaft: The hand brake serves as a hand brake, the neutral and forward control. The hand lever has to be pushed forward for the low pedal to work. If you bring the hand brake to the middle or neutral position, then the reverse pedal works.

In the Model T manual it was recommended that one should alternatively use the handbrake, footbrake and the reverse pedal to stop in order for the bands to wear at an even rate, in other words while going forward you should sometimes push the reverse pedal to stop.
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JC Whitless
07/01/09

@Flathead Smith: Reverse pedal to hold the car in place on hills FTW
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mechimike
07/01/09

@Flathead Smith: I find shifting into reverse while going forward in my car puts a pretty good dent in my forward momentum, too.
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Flathead Smith
07/01/09

@mechimike:In a Model T it's not really as bad as it sounds. When the reverse pedal is pushed, a band is being tightened around the planetary transmission. If you push lightly it's not an issue, stomp really hard and your engine or wheels, depending on the throttle position, will shortly be turning the other direction.

I have a Buick Stage 1 which when I was about nineteen accidently threw into reverse from second, under full power. It involved some incredible wheel spin and loss of forward momentum for a very quick moment, until I quickly got back in drive. I guess it's a tribute to the mighty Turbo 400 that the transmission didn't turn into an instant gear grenade.
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Elhigh
07/02/09

@Flathead Smith: I did that once, in a 1982 Corolla. Just about stood it on its nose. Snapped back into D, kept driving. No ugly sounds, no weird chassis shakes. I was amazed - and damned lucky.
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Flathead Smith
07/01/09

In reply to How To Drive A 1916 Ford Model T
One big advantage to hand cranks, manual spark advances, hand throttles and other complex controls is that it probably kept many undesirable drivers (woman)off the road because they couldn't even start the thing.
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P161911 probably shoudn't have
07/01/09

@Flathead Smith: That is why a Model T was my answer to the QOTD a few weeks ago about the perfect car for a teenager. Just give it to them and don't tell them how to drive or start it. They won't be going anywhere.
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acarr260
07/01/09

@P161911 now with M POWER!: Assuming that they eventually look it up or figure out how to get one of these running, they're going to be sorely disappointed with the performance aspect of the vehicle.
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P161911 probably shoudn't have
07/01/09

@acarr260: That was another plus. If you did teach them how to drive a Model T, but not a modern car you probably wouldn't have to worry about them borrowing a friends car.
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mechimike
07/01/09

@Flathead Smith: Uh oh, look out: Jezebel's knocking on the door...
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discontinuuity has left the Jalop until further notice
07/02/09

@acarr260: The twenty horsepower and 40 mph top speed are all very prudent, but the single brake inside the transmission (meaning you effectively have one-wheel mechanical drum brake) and the skinny tires are not.
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Elhigh
07/02/09

@discontinuuity is once again meme-free: You can bet hydroplaning wasn't a big problem, between gravel roads, bicycle tires and low speeds how could it ever happen?
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Alfisted
07/01/09

In reply to How To Drive A 1916 Ford Model T
I like how you check the oil by observing it drip onto the ground. That was an innovation that Harley stuck with well into the 80s.
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Ben Wojdyla
07/01/09

@CPO Alfisted: Zing!
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dwegmull comments for the purpose of obscurity
07/01/09

In reply to How To Drive A 1916 Ford Model T
This article makes for a nice contrast with the hybrids of the previous post. It so, hum, well, Jalopnik of Jalopnik...
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snapoversteer 'bout to get told
07/01/09

In reply to How To Drive A 1916 Ford Model T
Family lore has my great, great uncle driving a Model A until the '50s because he could drive it despite having only one arm.
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Elhigh
07/02/09

@snapoversteer: I had an uncle who drove with his feet only because of losing use of his arms to polio. But his car was modified by his brothers. Some epic stories there.
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layabout
07/01/09

In reply to How To Drive A 1916 Ford Model T
Ring time?
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Flathead Smith
07/01/09

In reply to How To Drive A 1916 Ford Model T
What's even more amazing is that I think only the Beetle outsold the Model T, and the T was made with almost no changes during it's twenty year run, whereas the Beetle was made for many more years with numerous changes.
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saeble
07/01/09

@Flathead Smith: actually, a T from 1909 had much less in common with a 1927. Henry Ford believed in progressive improvement and Ts tended to get updated parts added to the line as they became available, leading to Ts which often had parts from 3 different model years.

this sort of thing is unheard of in modern vehicle assembly lines unless its something crucial
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Elhigh
07/02/09

@saeble: Unless I misrecall, the 09 T and the 27 T are two entirely different vehicles. Ford went round the horn on letters and started over again at A, so the (I think) 1923 A was far and away a superior car to the original A.
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Ash78, cube farmer
07/01/09

In reply to How To Drive A 1916 Ford Model T
I wonder if owners of these things in the 1920s-30s bemoaned how everything was becoming standardized.

"Can you believe they have foot pedals for the fuel delivery and braking system? What's next? Cars driving themselves? Damn car industry thinking they know what's best for everyone!"
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leavethegun-takethecannoli
07/01/09

In reply to How To Drive A 1916 Ford Model T
My buddy's neighbor had a Model T and I was always impressed when he pulled it out of the garage. It was so rudimentary to me, and yet so advanced for it's time.

I never asked if I could drive- but I should have.
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JC Whitless
07/01/09

In reply to How To Drive A 1916 Ford Model T
I've driven one. Let me say this. It is like a riding lawnmower, without all the mower bits, noise, or cupholders.
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beercheck
07/01/09

In reply to How To Drive A 1916 Ford Model T
Rode in my first one when I was 7. It was magic.
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