From the old footage seen in this video you can see that this car, 100 years ago, had better off-road capabilities then some jeeps that are made these days.
Jeep jk's today are made for the average consumer. A cool looking pavement princess. My 90 yj is a 4 cylinder, great for the city, yet a beast off road due to 4wd.
+Opticillusion160 Why is there a difference between average consumer of 1915 and 2015? Somebody complained that something is too hard and car companies sprung into action to make everything into a 1960 Cadillac. Easy, simple, comfortable, looks good, drives you to shops.
I bought a 1923 T 8 months ago , I drive it to work or on errands , It is a completely usable automobile . It has never broken down or given me any trouble . The controls become second nature very quickly, the only terrifying thing about a T is it's poor brakes . There are upgrades for that . .
I bet the other terrifying thing are the other drivers whizzing past you in their modern cars without any regard to a vehicle with so much history in their mist..
I can't imagine you would be eager to get into an accident with one, either: certainly no crumble zones, besides your body 😕 very much an "in-town" car nowadays, unlike it's use to visit the countryside in its heyday. Maybe some more remote roads where getting someone riding on your ass isn't so common.
Just watched the 1915 Model T video, as a 1914 Model T owner myself, this video nails Henry Ford and the Model T, indeed this was the most important car of the 20th century for the reasons explained in this video. Impressive.
Got to ride in my uncles ModelT's. Grandpa bought one when he was young, and he passed on at the age of 94 not too long ago. So arguably I got to ride in a father-to-son Model T, a rarity for my generation. Nice honorable video to the story, certainly a well spent 12 minutes.
I've been watching some videos about the Model T. Things like how to drive it, how to start the engine, how to pull away, how to change certain parts, etc, etc.; and I gotta say... the more I learn about this gem, the more I wish I could own one. Or on the very LEAST have the opportunity to experience driving one. Such a beautiful little car. Most of us see pictures or old films of these and have the impression that they are very fragile and not capable of much, but as it turns out, at least when they were new, they could do WAY more than most high-end modern cars. I mean, seriously... what ordinary car of today can be used as a tractor straight from the factory? None. You can try but they'll most likely take very few time break down or literally fall apart. See the Model T go down those cliffs on this video and trail through mud and deep ditches like only some off-road SUVs are capable of doing so today caught me off guard. I am impressed! Truly a remarkable piece of machinery and engineering. A surprisingly capable little car. And wow... 100 years already? Just to imagine everything that particular T has seen (pffft, cars can't see) in the course of a whole century... all the changes the world around it went through, all the people that it passed by, the cars... it's fascinating.
The tiny one with the roll-up roof and headlights on stalks, yeah. The design idea was to let a farmer drive 50 kg at 50km/h from his farm to town, and to carry a crate of eggs across a plowed field without them breaking. Oh, and preferably to use very little gasoline in the process.
Daniel Nebdal Personally I am not fond of that car (mostly because it's looks), but from what I've read and heard about it, it was quite good at the tasks it was designed for. It's great when things succeed that well where they are meant to succeed.
You can buy a new 2018 Ford Focus for about $17,950, which in 1911 dollars would be about $673. A new 1911 Model T's price then was $680. The Focus is a much safer and more reliable car, with many features not even available on the Model T.
As long as it has heat and AC and of course ABS braking for safety and don't forget seat belts, a MUST, and you must also have safety glass windshield glass. Air bags were a great idea for each passenger that shouldn't be left out. Make sure it is turbocharged so you can merge on the highway safely. And please do away with the blind spot mirrors that can get you killed cause the Gov't and car manufacturers don't want to add cost to automobile. Catalytic converters can't be left out because without them we are hastening the death of our planet. And please bring back gasoline that contains lead so to lower the price back to .29.9 cents per gallon. Etc., etc., etc., Oh what a wonderful world it could be !!!
It would be impossible with modern safety laws. The fact is this car would not fare well in a modern accident 😕 it was safe enough for its time because of the slower speed...and of course it was oftentimes pair in an accident with itself, since the cars were so popular. It would be a different story if it was in an accident with, say, a Ford F-150. But that off-road capability is very impressive...we've definitely lost that aspect of motoring for most vehicles, which is a terrible shame. We're dependent on cars, and cars nowadays are dependent on paved roads for the most part.
There is a 1920 Model T owned locally by a collector and that car is driven constantly during the summer. The owner is in his 60's and it belonged to his Uncle. It is one of the nicest cars I have ever seen and its a four door hard top version, of course in black. It runs great and drives amazingly. I myself want a Model TT one ton truck or a Model T truck just because of their simplicity and design, and I am a Ford nut besides.
It's pretty special that these cars still look great to me: they obviously have an "antique" aesthetic, but it's a great one. Very much motorized carriages for the hard-top model. All the beauty of a fancy carriage without the horse shit that accompanies them 😛
After 100 years, it's still good? Good for what? It is a museum piece, something to go ooh and ahh about. If it were taken out to travel the modern roadways, it would be a traffic hazard, and would be run over by a big truck and reduced to scrap metal. It's good for a museum and putting around on private roads at best.
Why a traffic hazard? The video clearly shows its offroad capabilities that you just don't force upon it because of the spare parts situation and non-existant safety belt. Running a top speed of 40 miles per hour is certainly enough for everything except freeways. Edit: For the German Autobahn, that would be legally fast enough (where cars are required to be able to go at least 37.5 mph). Of course no one would use a car like this to go to work or grocery shopping anymore, but for a sunday drive-out, why not? If there still can be horse-drawn carriages on modern roads (in Germany at least you see them every now and then), then this baby certainly can!
You must be very young talking about driving a goat cart in modern traffic. As far as traveling a maximum of 40 miles per hour, it takes forever for it to get to that speed. And it's "off road capabilities" are virtually Zero. Appreciating a cool 100 year old car is one thing, but driving it in the modern world is nothing short of lunacy. You obviously are incapable of understanding the automotive REALITY of it. Grow Up.
In a small town / more rural area with little traffic, I don''t see why it wouldn't still be practical even today. Henry probably didn't envision freeways and 80 mile-an-hour speed limits.
Putting around in a small town, on lightly traveled side streets, for a carefree little ride is just fine. As long as the Tin Lizzie avoids trying to mix with modern traffic, it should be OK. Safety must be taken seriously. Picture an 80 year old person trying to run with a group of young adults in a track race event. They just don't mix well. Are you capable of seeing the danger , or just ignoring it to suit some sense of adventure without the consequences?
Thanks for sharing. My friend Howard was born in 1920, hence he grew up in the "Model T" era. He loved to visit antique car shows, and I accompanied him on many such trips, both locally and not so close. About Labor Day each year there's a wonderful antique car show at Greenfield Village, adjacent to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn Michigan. We were there on three occasions and really enjoyed it. For those not familiar, 100 of the best restored antique automobiles (all kinds including several I'd never heard of) are displayed and driven in the area on that 3-day weekend. The cars are different each year, by invitation only. The Village is about 200 acres with buildings, roads, etc as they were in the early part of the 20th century. For those who haven't been there, I encourage you to do so and take your family. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and your best walking shoes. It takes all day to see the place. I have no connection to any of it, but wish to share the experience with everyone. Anyway, getting back to our visit. We were there the year of the 100th anniversary of the Tin Lizzie. They had built several Model T's to display and ride in the Village. Of course Howard had ridden in many of them over the years, but I got my first ride in one. You are absolutely right, they were very comfortable regardless of the road conditions. www.thehenryford.org/visit/greenfield-village www.britannica.com/place/Greenfield-Village-historical-village-Michigan
Actually, they are really easy to drive if you combine your car driving skills with a little motor cycle riding skills. Change gears with the left foot, brake with the right foot, and adjust the throttle with your right hand (finger tips). The rest of the experience is a little unique.. The spark advance (left hand) is adjusted for the smoothest and strongest running. With a little experience, the hand brake is usually left all the way forward. With your left foot, push all the way down on the forward pedal for low gear, let it all the way up for high gear, and hold it mid range for neutral. The hand brake can be left in the middle for beginners to keep it out of high gear. i typically use my right foot for reverse as it usually just needs a little nudge to get going and then put my foot back on the brake to slow down. Both feet are left comfortably on the floor while cruising.
2:00 That is such a touching moment for me for whatever reason. 16, and wanted a Model T ever since I first saw one (Thank Disney's "Cars" for that) and just seeing how this vehicle impacted America out stands me. While I enjoy a heater, AC and Radio of the modern cars, there is something about this simplistic yet elegant style that the Model T and A had. I'd gladly trade my 2015 Ford Focus for any Model T or A in a decent working condition. One day I will have this vehicle as my daily driving car, and set my family free as Ford did for America.
Fritz Duquesne Well they did Now what's this a device that plays music searches through a network of thinking machines and plays music that fits in your pocket now that's just madness
It's much easier to drive and less scary than he makes it out to be. I got my first one when I was in my 30's and now have three (a touring car, a sedan and a TT "Ton Truck". His description of shifting, etc. is a bit off. If you're going to move forward (drive), you put your foot on the low gear pedal and release the handbrake fully (unless you only want low gear which is very slow and high revving). Give it gas (throttle lever pulled down) and press the low gear pedal to the floor. The car will now move forward in low gear. If you want to go faster, and you will, get the rev's up a bit, throttle down quickly and take your foot off the low gear pedal. It will jump into high and you can then throttle up again to get moving. Here are the best parts of a T: 1. No fuel pump, no oil pump, no water pump, no distributor. Simple gravity feed for gas, splash fins on the flywheel / magneto setup to disburse oil and convection (i believe) for coolant (hot flows up and cool flows down). 2. No distributor! Each cylinder has its own ignition coil (sound familiar? That's what they're doing to cars now-adays. What's old is new again.) 3. Accessories, accessories, accessories!! Take the rear wheel off and use a pulley and belt to convert it into a saw mill (literally), front skis and auxiliary rear axle turn it into a snow-mobile, pull the body off and use it as a tractor (back in the day, not now, please!!), use the belt and pulley system to run a water pump on the farm or any other belt drive unit. 4. Cheap and easy to work on. Almost anyone can work on a T with a bit of know-how. Most parts are readily reproduced or available NOS. You can build a whole car from the tons of spare parts that most T owners have. It is the most fun you can have at low speeds!!
I am an enthusiast of high end sportscars. I think the La Ferrari and 918 are great, and the Pagani Huayra is manna from heaven. I think the Fort GT40 was an incredibly beautiful and important car. But the single most important car there has ever been, is this one. Without this car, we'd still have an auto industry, and if Henry Ford didn't invent the assembly line someone else would have. What Henry did was show the world how to do it right.
Loved you video.Wish I could give you a driving lesson. I use my 1923 model T as my daily driver and put around 100 miles a week on it. You don’t need to pull the lever back to stop the car, just put your foot on the low speed lever and don’t push it. Then you can stop … or push it to get into low gear … or let go to be in high gear. My T is typically driven in the 35-45 mph range but will go as fast as 55 when pressed.
I loved the in-depth look at the Model T in this video! Great how you show how it's operated, and I love all the close-up footage of the details of the car.
8:14 "the million of options and customization things you could buy for these was mindblowing" You mean like turbo, spoilers, carbon hood, rollcage etc. right?
If you research the Highland Park plant you'll discover that it was Edward Gray AND Albert Kahn that designed it. Gray would figure out the layout and Kahn would design a building around the layout. Gray also designed the massive powerplant engines that provided the electricity to power the plant so that the whole operation could be centrally powered and eliminate separate smaller engines in each part of the plant to move parts, power presses, drills, etc. Gray's 'title' was Chief Engineer from 1909 to 1914. My grandfather worked as his draftsman, starting with Gray in Oil CIty, PA at Riverside Engine, where Gray sold the first power plant for Highland Park. Eventually nine 'Gasteam' engines were required to power the plant- one of which is in the Henry Ford Museum.
When you say they had loads of accessories, you weren't wrong. I found a photo at an antique shop of a model T with skis on the front axle. Even better was that the skis were with the photo!
Advanced Features: Adaptive Cruise Control (your left hand and eyes). Lane Departure Warning system for other drivers (the horn and a finger). Forward Collision Avoidance System (it doesn't go very fast). Air bags (your spouse or maybe a friend who talks a lot, that you can land on in a crash).
tripleheshy Henry was also notoriously anti-union, racist, anti-Semitic, and pro-Nazi. His security force was an enormous private army that would crack the heads of striking workers at his behest. He was NOT a nice guy. I am certainly glad that I did not work for him.
+Jordan Craighead He industrialized mass manufacturing, youre damn right profits were important to him... He supposedly was caring for the common man. But on the flip side he was also anti-union. He used hired thugs to beat down union heads and worker riots. Ford was the last car company to unionize. And he supported the Nazis in their early days, confirming rumors he was racist and anti-semetic... His public persona was that of a 'caring capitalist' but he was so much more complex. I dont think he was 'bad' but he definitely wasnt the good guy history wants to remember him as. I think he did what he did because his business and profits were the bottom line. www.nytimes.com/2012/09/10/opinion/recalling-henry-ford-the-not-so-good-capitalist.html?_r=0
+sergeantbigmac You're quoting from the New York Times. A notoriously neo-marxist, pro-socialist publication. Ofcourse they will smear anything and anyone that doesn't fit their narrative.
In July 1938, before the outbreak of war, the German consul at Cleveland gave Ford, on his 75th birthday, the award of the Grand Cross of the German Eagle, the highest medal Nazi Germany could bestow on a foreigner. Hitler said he regarded Ford as his "inspiration," explaining his reason for keeping Ford's life-size portrait next to his desk. Hitler "revered" Ford, proclaiming that "I shall do my best to put his theories into practice in Germany," and modeling the Volkswagen, the people's car, on the Model T.
Henry Ford was a nasi sympithizer, gave Hitler book to employees at the front gate. good thing his son H.F.jr was not. most of the model T plant is still standing in Highland Park , Michigan, one mile from my house. 100 years old.
+Kent Peterson It would be loud as f#ck, though. If you managed to squeeze a motorcycle engine into the little hood, there'd be no space left for sound dampening!
Calvin Laudrensio Any air-combustion engine supports a turbocharger or supercharger. But where would you put it? Those things are big, and the T's hood is small.
Yes, and parts of them were used for many things, such as drill presses made from the starter motors, arc welders from rewound generators and many other parts of the car. I have an old book describing many things made from junkyard model T parts. People in those days were really resourceful.
and thats why as you probably noticed, there are has gas canisters attached to the side of the vehicle, as initially there probably weren't too many petrol stations
At thet time people buy gas on the drugstore and thet rogic is main reason to critic to motorship. People think horses can eat grass that grown everywhere but motors can not buying gasoline so do not trevel far enough to reach the other towns. And that thing happen today to electric cars too. People think electric cars can't replace mortors becouse gas stations are everywhere but chargers are not.
At a time when really good coach horses could manage a cruise of 15 mph for a few miles on the flat, this car, cruising at 20 to 30 mph, was a sensation. Since then of course, the pace of life has become relentlessly frantic, as the Welsh poet Davies said "What is this life If full of care, We have no time To stand and stare? . . . "
"This is the single most complicated machine I have ever sat in..." Well, it's a lot less complicated than even the most basic new car on sale today; so you obviously don't drive one of those, then?
***** One of the benefits of the T was that you could go from a horse-and-buggy to a motor with half-an-hour's instruction from the dealer. It was by far the easiest and simplest to drive of all cars then available. Press for low, release for high. No separate clutch. No sliding pinions. No skill required to synchronize the gears. No wonder it sold!
Well going from a horse drawn carriage to 35mph in a car must’ve been absolutely terrifying for the people of that era. Just climb into an alcohol drag car and see if going 240+mph don’t scare you
I got to ride a Model T at the Ford Museum in Detroit. I would find it hard to drive because the pedals and hand controls are confusing since they are nothing like a present-day car.
My Dad told me a story about the Model T they used on the farm. His brothers and him used to sit on the fenders and shoot rabbits while they drove around, pull the hay wagon and go to town to buy the basics. The SUV of it's time.
hi georgeb have you become a flat earther yet? If not I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. I got it in my about tab. Also if you want to watch a flat versus globe debate I suggest watch a video on Modern-Day Debate called _FE DEBATE: Austin @WitsitGetsIt & @flatearthtests9708 Vs @MrSensible & @culturecatz_
How One Man Changed the World... It would be amazing to see a modern 'T' convertable, with seat belts and modern pedals, and still a simple engine. The VW bug was the next simple car that sold everywhere. Ford should do something like this again, a 2000 Model T Convertible hatchback with that big wheel go anywhere do anything styling - good for the family or plowing a field.
actually accelerator on wheel is quite cool idea. I think it was made so that you wouldnt have to press the pedal all the time. Or in other words, Ford created first ever cruise control too xD
@@wilburfinnigan5627 That's right. At Dagenham near London. Where Fords continued to be made till fairly recently. In fact people who didn't like Fords used to call them 'Dagenham Dustbins'. Dustbins being what Americans call trash cans.
perhaps a shampoo mountain bike transmission would work well because you have a high,low with an extra gear to uses as a clutch and then you have a second high and low shifter for the 3 second and high gear.
I'm not sure that if I had the chance to drive one I would want to do it, its a bit complicated and I sure wouldn't want to make a mistake, I'd be happy to be a passenger. When my Grandparents were just a young couple in the early 1900's Grandad got a Model T, my Grandmother tried to drive it and ran into a tree, breaking her arm, she never attempted to drive a car again, and she lived well into her 80's.
I love this. XCAR is the best automotive show on youtube, chris harris is awesome too, but xcar just has more volume. I would love it if the people of XCAR and chris harris teamed up to make a show on tv. Topgear has been bad for a while now, and it's comedy is tiresome. I just want to see a show with people who love cars with no flash, just informative and fun
From the old footage seen in this video you can see that this car, 100 years ago, had better off-road capabilities then some jeeps that are made these days.
Jeep jk's today are made for the average consumer. A cool looking pavement princess. My 90 yj is a 4 cylinder, great for the city, yet a beast off road due to 4wd.
+Opticillusion160 Why is there a difference between average consumer of 1915 and 2015? Somebody complained that something is too hard and car companies sprung into action to make everything into a 1960 Cadillac. Easy, simple, comfortable, looks good, drives you to shops.
+February The difference was the terrain people most commonly drove on.
thats because wheels are tiny and its light as shit.
Paved roads were very uncommon
I bought a 1923 T 8 months ago , I drive it to work or on errands , It is a completely usable automobile . It has never broken down or given me any trouble . The controls become second nature very quickly, the only terrifying thing about a T is it's poor brakes . There are upgrades for that . .
edward t I
You are one classy gentlemen sir. Better go to work in a suit, top it with a fedora. Then you're good to go.
I bet the other terrifying thing are the other drivers whizzing past you in their modern cars without any regard to a vehicle with so much history in their mist..
I can't imagine you would be eager to get into an accident with one, either: certainly no crumble zones, besides your body 😕 very much an "in-town" car nowadays, unlike it's use to visit the countryside in its heyday. Maybe some more remote roads where getting someone riding on your ass isn't so common.
Just watched the 1915 Model T video, as a 1914 Model T owner myself, this video nails Henry Ford and the Model T, indeed this was the most important car of the 20th century for the reasons explained in this video. Impressive.
Got to ride in my uncles ModelT's. Grandpa bought one when he was young, and he passed on at the age of 94 not too long ago. So arguably I got to ride in a father-to-son Model T, a rarity for my generation. Nice honorable video to the story, certainly a well spent 12 minutes.
The fode model tay. What a caw, it changed the wooled!
Roight
Thots gorait
Ah-bso-lewtleh
@ Lord David Bloxham. It's "woerwd", not with an "L", depending on the area of Mawie Owd Engwend!
😂😂😂😂
old cars in general are great. this one is magnificant!
I've been watching some videos about the Model T. Things like how to drive it, how to start the engine, how to pull away, how to change certain parts, etc, etc.; and I gotta say... the more I learn about this gem, the more I wish I could own one. Or on the very LEAST have the opportunity to experience driving one. Such a beautiful little car.
Most of us see pictures or old films of these and have the impression that they are very fragile and not capable of much, but as it turns out, at least when they were new, they could do WAY more than most high-end modern cars. I mean, seriously... what ordinary car of today can be used as a tractor straight from the factory? None. You can try but they'll most likely take very few time break down or literally fall apart. See the Model T go down those cliffs on this video and trail through mud and deep ditches like only some off-road SUVs are capable of doing so today caught me off guard. I am impressed! Truly a remarkable piece of machinery and engineering. A surprisingly capable little car.
And wow... 100 years already? Just to imagine everything that particular T has seen (pffft, cars can't see) in the course of a whole century... all the changes the world around it went through, all the people that it passed by, the cars... it's fascinating.
+Mike Dragon It kind of reminds me of the (admittedly much more recent) 2CV, which was also rather a bit better with bad terrain than it looked.
+Daniel Nebdal That weird looking car by Citroën? Well, I suppose the best perfumes truly are found in the smallest flasks, as the saying goes!
The tiny one with the roll-up roof and headlights on stalks, yeah. The design idea was to let a farmer drive 50 kg at 50km/h from his farm to town, and to carry a crate of eggs across a plowed field without them breaking. Oh, and preferably to use very little gasoline in the process.
Daniel Nebdal Personally I am not fond of that car (mostly because it's looks), but from what I've read and heard about it, it was quite good at the tasks it was designed for. It's great when things succeed that well where they are meant to succeed.
that was the citroen 2CV
It's time for a modern model T; a tough, inexpensive, simple, efficient, versatile vehicle; something without all the unnecessary bells and whistles.
You can buy a new 2018 Ford Focus for about $17,950, which in 1911 dollars would be about $673. A new 1911 Model T's price then was $680. The Focus is a much safer and more reliable car, with many features not even available on the Model T.
As long as it has heat and AC and of course ABS braking for safety and don't forget seat belts, a MUST, and you must also have safety glass windshield glass. Air bags were a great idea for each passenger that shouldn't be left out. Make sure it is turbocharged so you can merge on the highway safely. And please do away with the blind spot mirrors that can get you killed cause the Gov't and car manufacturers don't want to add cost to automobile. Catalytic converters can't be left out because without them we are hastening the death of our planet. And please bring back gasoline that contains lead so to lower the price back to .29.9 cents per gallon. Etc., etc., etc., Oh what a wonderful world it could be !!!
The problom with that is modern safety laws make that impossable. But I do agree. ( sorry for my spelling I can’t spell )
@@pastormatthew4362 lol i've seen actual ford model T's for sale at lower prices than that focus.
It would be impossible with modern safety laws. The fact is this car would not fare well in a modern accident 😕 it was safe enough for its time because of the slower speed...and of course it was oftentimes pair in an accident with itself, since the cars were so popular. It would be a different story if it was in an accident with, say, a Ford F-150. But that off-road capability is very impressive...we've definitely lost that aspect of motoring for most vehicles, which is a terrible shame. We're dependent on cars, and cars nowadays are dependent on paved roads for the most part.
There is a 1920 Model T owned locally by a collector and that car is driven constantly during the summer. The owner is in his 60's and it belonged to his Uncle. It is one of the nicest cars I have ever seen and its a four door hard top version, of course in black. It runs great and drives amazingly. I myself want a Model TT one ton truck or a Model T truck just because of their simplicity and design, and I am a Ford nut besides.
It's pretty special that these cars still look great to me: they obviously have an "antique" aesthetic, but it's a great one. Very much motorized carriages for the hard-top model. All the beauty of a fancy carriage without the horse shit that accompanies them 😛
The best designs are always the simplest. Still good after 100 years.
After 100 years, it's still good? Good for what? It is a museum piece, something to go ooh and ahh about. If it were taken out to travel the modern roadways, it would be a traffic hazard, and would be run over by a big truck and reduced to scrap metal. It's good for a museum and putting around on private roads at best.
Why a traffic hazard? The video clearly shows its offroad capabilities that you just don't force upon it because of the spare parts situation and non-existant safety belt. Running a top speed of 40 miles per hour is certainly enough for everything except freeways. Edit: For the German Autobahn, that would be legally fast enough (where cars are required to be able to go at least 37.5 mph).
Of course no one would use a car like this to go to work or grocery shopping anymore, but for a sunday drive-out, why not? If there still can be horse-drawn carriages on modern roads (in Germany at least you see them every now and then), then this baby certainly can!
You must be very young talking about driving a goat cart in modern traffic. As far as traveling a maximum of 40 miles per hour, it takes forever for it to get to that speed. And it's "off road capabilities" are virtually Zero. Appreciating a cool 100 year old car is one thing, but driving it in the modern world is nothing short of lunacy. You obviously are incapable of understanding the automotive REALITY of it. Grow Up.
In a small town / more rural area with little traffic, I don''t see why it wouldn't still be practical even today. Henry probably didn't envision freeways and 80 mile-an-hour speed limits.
Putting around in a small town, on lightly traveled side streets, for a carefree little ride is just fine. As long as the Tin Lizzie avoids trying to mix with modern traffic, it should be OK. Safety must be taken seriously. Picture an 80 year old person trying to run with a group of young adults in a track race event. They just don't mix well. Are you capable of seeing the danger , or just ignoring it to suit some sense of adventure without the consequences?
Didn't know they went off road. Didn't know they had suspension articulation like that. Didn't know they rode so well. Excellent video!
Thanks for sharing.
My friend Howard was born in 1920, hence he grew up in the "Model T" era.
He loved to visit antique car shows, and I accompanied him on many such trips, both locally and not so close.
About Labor Day each year there's a wonderful antique car show at Greenfield Village, adjacent to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn Michigan. We were there on three occasions and really enjoyed it. For those not familiar, 100 of the best restored antique automobiles (all kinds including several I'd never heard of) are displayed and driven in the area on that 3-day weekend. The cars are different each year, by invitation only. The Village is about 200 acres with buildings, roads, etc as they were in the early part of the 20th century. For those who haven't been there, I encourage you to do so and take your family. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and your best walking shoes. It takes all day to see the place. I have no connection to any of it, but wish to share the experience with everyone.
Anyway, getting back to our visit. We were there the year of the 100th anniversary of the Tin Lizzie. They had built several Model T's to display and ride in the Village. Of course Howard had ridden in many of them over the years, but I got my first ride in one. You are absolutely right, they were very comfortable regardless of the road conditions.
www.thehenryford.org/visit/greenfield-village
www.britannica.com/place/Greenfield-Village-historical-village-Michigan
Actually, they are really easy to drive if you combine your car driving skills with a little motor cycle riding skills. Change gears with the left foot, brake with the right foot, and adjust the throttle with your right hand (finger tips). The rest of the experience is a little unique..
The spark advance (left hand) is adjusted for the smoothest and strongest running. With a little experience, the hand brake is usually left all the way forward. With your left foot, push all the way down on the forward pedal for low gear, let it all the way up for high gear, and hold it mid range for neutral. The hand brake can be left in the middle for beginners to keep it out of high gear. i typically use my right foot for reverse as it usually just needs a little nudge to get going and then put my foot back on the brake to slow down. Both feet are left comfortably on the floor while cruising.
Judging by those 100 year old clips this thing is literally a supercar.
2:00 That is such a touching moment for me for whatever reason. 16, and wanted a Model T ever since I first saw one (Thank Disney's "Cars" for that) and just seeing how this vehicle impacted America out stands me. While I enjoy a heater, AC and Radio of the modern cars, there is something about this simplistic yet elegant style that the Model T and A had. I'd gladly trade my 2015 Ford Focus for any Model T or A in a decent working condition. One day I will have this vehicle as my daily driving car, and set my family free as Ford did for America.
Self propelled vehicles? Bah...they'll never catch on.
What are you, a dunce? What is a traction engine or a railway locomotive or a steam ship but a 'self-propelled vehicle'?
Fritz Duquesne
Well they did
Now what's this a device that plays music searches through a network of thinking machines and plays music that fits in your pocket
now that's just madness
Samuel Zelter
It was sarcasm
Said by people in the 1890s
It's much easier to drive and less scary than he makes it out to be. I got my first one when I was in my 30's and now have three (a touring car, a sedan and a TT "Ton Truck". His description of shifting, etc. is a bit off. If you're going to move forward (drive), you put your foot on the low gear pedal and release the handbrake fully (unless you only want low gear which is very slow and high revving). Give it gas (throttle lever pulled down) and press the low gear pedal to the floor. The car will now move forward in low gear. If you want to go faster, and you will, get the rev's up a bit, throttle down quickly and take your foot off the low gear pedal. It will jump into high and you can then throttle up again to get moving. Here are the best parts of a T:
1. No fuel pump, no oil pump, no water pump, no distributor. Simple gravity feed for gas, splash fins on the flywheel / magneto setup to disburse oil and convection (i believe) for coolant (hot flows up and cool flows down).
2. No distributor! Each cylinder has its own ignition coil (sound familiar? That's what they're doing to cars now-adays. What's old is new again.)
3. Accessories, accessories, accessories!! Take the rear wheel off and use a pulley and belt to convert it into a saw mill (literally), front skis and auxiliary rear axle turn it into a snow-mobile, pull the body off and use it as a tractor (back in the day, not now, please!!), use the belt and pulley system to run a water pump on the farm or any other belt drive unit.
4. Cheap and easy to work on. Almost anyone can work on a T with a bit of know-how. Most parts are readily reproduced or available NOS. You can build a whole car from the tons of spare parts that most T owners have.
It is the most fun you can have at low speeds!!
I am an enthusiast of high end sportscars. I think the La Ferrari and 918 are great, and the Pagani Huayra is manna from heaven. I think the Fort GT40 was an incredibly beautiful and important car. But the single most important car there has ever been, is this one. Without this car, we'd still have an auto industry, and if Henry Ford didn't invent the assembly line someone else would have. What Henry did was show the world how to do it right.
Great hommage to the Mother of all cars, beautifully made. Congrats, Alex!
Loved you video.Wish I could give you a driving lesson. I use my 1923 model T as my daily driver and put around 100 miles a week on it. You don’t need to pull the lever back to stop the car, just put your foot on the low speed lever and don’t push it. Then you can stop … or push it to get into low gear … or let go to be in high gear. My T is typically driven in the 35-45 mph range but will go as fast as 55 when pressed.
The Model T Ford was not, " Arguably the most important car of the 20th century." It very definitely was the most important car of the 20th century.
the T is an SUV lol Also its control sceme sound like the controls of the tardis. BTW he made cars afFORDable
+Argiris “RetroAmateur” Papadopoulos Oh God, that pun! XD
I loved the in-depth look at the Model T in this video! Great how you show how it's operated, and I love all the close-up footage of the details of the car.
Absolutely amazing! The way the story was told and how the car was presented was astonishing! absolutely amazing job guys :D
Modern cars can do more only because they are standing on the shoulder of this giant.
Great video, remember driving this car in Gran Turismo 4. Also remember watching Clarksons review of this car. This is a really cool car.
My U.S History teacher showed us this yesterday. Really enjoyed it actually!
That positive cambre though
8:14 "the million of options and customization things you could buy for these was mindblowing"
You mean like turbo, spoilers, carbon hood, rollcage etc. right?
No spoilers but yes
Huh, all that time I thought the "You can have any color so long as it is black" was true, but it had color options apparently.
Yes. Up until the end of the brass radiator shell years, 1915 or so, there were about 5 colors offered..
i thought that too cause he said from the start. i also for some reason thought the model t started in 1904 not 1908
If you research the Highland Park plant you'll discover that it was Edward Gray AND Albert Kahn that designed it. Gray would figure out the layout and Kahn would design a building around the layout. Gray also designed the massive powerplant engines that provided the electricity to power the plant so that the whole operation could be centrally powered and eliminate separate smaller engines in each part of the plant to move parts, power presses, drills, etc. Gray's 'title' was Chief Engineer from 1909 to 1914. My grandfather worked as his draftsman, starting with Gray in Oil CIty, PA at Riverside Engine, where Gray sold the first power plant for Highland Park. Eventually nine 'Gasteam' engines were required to power the plant- one of which is in the Henry Ford Museum.
One of the greatest films you have made guys!!!
Beautifull restoration. Always wanted to drive one.
A classic that many dreamed to have 100 years ago and they made it.
When you say they had loads of accessories, you weren't wrong. I found a photo at an antique shop of a model T with skis on the front axle. Even better was that the skis were with the photo!
Whoa, the suspension is fantastic. I never would have thought...
Advanced Features: Adaptive Cruise Control (your left hand and eyes). Lane Departure Warning system for other drivers (the horn and a finger). Forward Collision Avoidance System (it doesn't go very fast). Air bags (your spouse or maybe a friend who talks a lot, that you can land on in a crash).
First time ive come across this channel... Amazingly well shot and edited videos guys, Surprised this channel isnt more popular!
That was a beautiful crafted film. Pleasure to watch.
not very many Henry Fords left in the world. its all about profit now.
tripleheshy LOL, that's an understatement!
Obviously he cared about profit. I'd like to think there was some nobility behind his work as well
tripleheshy Henry was also notoriously anti-union, racist, anti-Semitic, and pro-Nazi.
His security force was an enormous private army that would crack the heads of striking workers at his behest. He was NOT a nice guy.
I am certainly glad that I did not work for him.
+Jordan Craighead
He industrialized mass manufacturing, youre damn right profits were important to him... He supposedly was caring for the common man. But on the flip side he was also anti-union. He used hired thugs to beat down union heads and worker riots. Ford was the last car company to unionize. And he supported the Nazis in their early days, confirming rumors he was racist and anti-semetic...
His public persona was that of a 'caring capitalist' but he was so much more complex. I dont think he was 'bad' but he definitely wasnt the good guy history wants to remember him as. I think he did what he did because his business and profits were the bottom line.
www.nytimes.com/2012/09/10/opinion/recalling-henry-ford-the-not-so-good-capitalist.html?_r=0
+sergeantbigmac You're quoting from the New York Times. A notoriously neo-marxist, pro-socialist publication. Ofcourse they will smear anything and anyone that doesn't fit their narrative.
Excellent video! The Ford T is a wonderful piece of engineering!
In July 1938, before the outbreak of war, the German consul at Cleveland gave Ford, on his 75th birthday, the award of the Grand Cross of the German Eagle, the highest medal Nazi Germany could bestow on a foreigner. Hitler said he regarded Ford as his "inspiration," explaining his reason for keeping Ford's life-size portrait next to his desk. Hitler "revered" Ford, proclaiming that "I shall do my best to put his theories into practice in Germany," and modeling the Volkswagen, the people's car, on the Model T.
Mighty interesting!
daybreaK Thanks for sharing this piece of information! The fact that Ford was also an anti-Semite may have also contributed to that.
daybreaK g
Henry Ford was a nasi sympithizer, gave Hitler book to employees at the front gate. good thing his son H.F.jr was not. most of the model T plant is still standing in Highland Park , Michigan, one mile from my house. 100 years old.
daybreaK
Yes is correct day break
Been on an Xcar bender as of late. Brilliant vehicles, amazing shooting/editing, awesome presenting, cheers from Boston!!
I would like to see an updated version with modern technolgy
+Kent Peterson It would be loud as f#ck, though. If you managed to squeeze a motorcycle engine into the little hood, there'd be no space left for sound dampening!
+Sky Eye does the engine supports turbo?
Calvin Laudrensio Any air-combustion engine supports a turbocharger or supercharger. But where would you put it? Those things are big, and the T's hood is small.
+Sky Eye modifying the hood should be possible
Imagine a Liberty walk or a rocket bunny model T lmao
Model T engines were also used in early home-built airplanes, if memory serves. Thanks for a really excellent vid!
Yes, and parts of them were used for many things, such as drill presses made from the starter motors, arc welders from rewound generators and many other parts of the car. I have an old book describing many things made from junkyard model T parts. People in those days were really resourceful.
Where did people get gasoline? There weren't many gas stations set up anywhere for the first 5 or 10 years right? What was the mpg like?
mpg is about 13-21.
Pharmacy
and thats why as you probably noticed, there are has gas canisters attached to the side of the vehicle, as initially there probably weren't too many petrol stations
I did notice them. People probably had enough gas stored at home to blow up a small village.
At thet time people buy gas on the drugstore and thet rogic is main reason to critic to motorship. People think horses can eat grass that grown everywhere but motors can not buying gasoline so do not trevel far enough to reach the other towns. And that thing happen today to electric cars too. People think electric cars can't replace mortors becouse gas stations are everywhere but chargers are not.
Thanks you've really sold me on getting a model T.
Nearly didn't watch it but glad I did, what a car. Want one!
Thank You Henry Ford
My gosh! Just look at the ground clearance on that car!
I love the old cars. They may be deathtraps in an accident, but they had character.
You have to love how he ordered the models A R and S (like if you get it)
At a time when really good coach horses could manage a cruise of 15 mph for a few miles on the flat, this car, cruising at 20 to 30 mph, was a sensation. Since then of course, the pace of life has become relentlessly frantic, as the Welsh poet Davies said "What is this life If full of care, We have no time To stand and stare? . . . "
Model T's were the original off-road vehicles.
"This is the single most complicated machine I have ever sat in..."
Well, it's a lot less complicated than even the most basic new car on sale today; so you obviously don't drive one of those, then?
*****
One of the benefits of the T was that you could go from a horse-and-buggy to a motor with half-an-hour's instruction from the dealer. It was by far the easiest and simplest to drive of all cars then available. Press for low, release for high. No separate clutch. No sliding pinions. No skill required to synchronize the gears.
No wonder it sold!
*****
Only if you have less mechanical aptitude than a Midwest farm boy.
Great video and the explanation of the History is spot on.
Also was nice to see that Alex was enjoying the experience of driving this car :)
Best car review i have ever seen on youtube.!
Cheers!
Excellent documentation, knowledgeable and entertaining! Great!
Kind of curious to have right hand drive on a Ford. Pretty sure Ford hated right hand drive.
Ford cars before the T were right hand drive.
35 mph, OMG won't someone think of the CHILDREN!!!!!!
Alvin Brinson Try running at 35 mph you slow poke
yeah a average human being cant run that fast
Well going from a horse drawn carriage to 35mph in a car must’ve been absolutely terrifying for the people of that era. Just climb into an alcohol drag car and see if going 240+mph don’t scare you
35 mph was plenty fast on the roads of that day.
Fuck you there is dirt bikes and atv utility vehicles
The controls are carried-over from steam-engine vehicles....
Absolutely great review, one of the best I've seen.
Wow.. I just found this channel and I'm really impressed.. great videos! you deserve a lot more subs
A great video, I didn't want it to end!! Thank you
Great job guys! Love this piece - both video and the car.
I got to ride a Model T at the Ford Museum in Detroit. I would find it hard to drive because the pedals and hand controls are confusing since they are nothing like a present-day car.
A legendary vehicle. Thanks for the vid!
Excellent video, I learned a lot. Much thanks.
Great Review. Love your work guys.
My Dad told me a story about the Model T they used on the farm. His brothers and him used to sit on the fenders and shoot rabbits while they drove around, pull the hay wagon and go to town to buy the basics. The SUV of it's time.
Great video, really interesting
WOW😮 this car has more better suspension than most cars today.
I'm convinced! It's a Model T for me! 👍😉
hi georgeb have you become a flat earther yet? If not I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. I got it in my about tab.
Also if you want to watch a flat versus globe debate I suggest watch a video on Modern-Day Debate called _FE DEBATE: Austin @WitsitGetsIt & @flatearthtests9708 Vs @MrSensible & @culturecatz_
Still rocking the Doctor Who look? Superb.
A great feature. Wouldn't you think someone who only knew the Model T's controls would find our current controls counter intuitive? Makes me wonder.
The Dodge brothers were from Ontario Canada, they passed in away in 1920. Dodge was bought by Chrysler in 1928.
How One Man Changed the World... It would be amazing to see a modern 'T' convertable, with seat belts and modern pedals, and still a simple engine. The VW bug was the next simple car that sold everywhere. Ford should do something like this again, a 2000 Model T Convertible hatchback with that big wheel go anywhere do anything styling - good for the family or plowing a field.
A very strong case can be made for the 911 being the car of the century.
The Model T gas so many accolades, it doesn't need that one.
What a beauty.
actually accelerator on wheel is quite cool idea. I think it was made so that you wouldnt have to press the pedal all the time. Or in other words, Ford created first ever cruise control too xD
Very beautiful vehicle.
it's good to look back at a time when Ford was great.
That suspension is nice
I didn't realize the Model T was also made with right hand drive.
Ozzstar Model T's were also made in England after WW I !!! for the Brits !!!
@@wilburfinnigan5627 I heard they were also built in Russia. Ford had assembly plants all over the place.
@@wilburfinnigan5627 That's right. At Dagenham near London. Where Fords continued to be made till fairly recently. In fact people who didn't like Fords used to call them 'Dagenham Dustbins'. Dustbins being what Americans call trash cans.
Splendid! I want one of those....
perhaps a shampoo mountain bike transmission would work well because you have a high,low with an extra gear to uses as a clutch and then you have a second high and low shifter for the 3 second and high gear.
Great car and video. Thank you.
It would be fantastic to restore one these days. Does it have a side valve motor.
Ford wanted to help the average person and he cared about his workers...just wow!
All ya need is two of those and that's where road rage began.
I would have like to have seen him put the top up.
Makes me want to shop around for an '84 Escort.
I'm not sure that if I had the chance to drive one I would want to do it, its a bit complicated and I sure wouldn't want to make a mistake, I'd be happy to be a passenger. When my Grandparents were just a young couple in the early 1900's Grandad got a Model T, my Grandmother tried to drive it and ran into a tree, breaking her arm, she never attempted to drive a car again, and she lived well into her 80's.
"18 mph terrifying"
Ford Model T Speedster can do 100 mph
+zpolukuchka Damn... I wanna try driving that...
I wouldn't say cheap.. They were more affordable
I love this. XCAR is the best automotive show on youtube, chris harris is awesome too, but xcar just has more volume. I would love it if the people of XCAR and chris harris teamed up to make a show on tv. Topgear has been bad for a while now, and it's comedy is tiresome. I just want to see a show with people who love cars with no flash, just informative and fun
Nice review
an excellent review, now we have the likes of the Ford GT lol
Drones.....No tickets. No accident. No traffic jams. Win win. Money in your pocket. Petition your government for safe commuting. Drones ;)
the video was the best i love classic cars grat job with it :)