Hello H.A.M.B.ers! The summer driving and cruising season is upon us once again so like the rest of us, it time for me to start changin' oil, greasin' zerks, fillin' gas tanks and tires and polishing up the br*** and chrome on all the cars at my buddies shop....and on my T when I get it back, but that is another story. My good buddy Chris (powerwagonmaniac) and his family have become like family to me over the years and it was actually his dad Bill that sold me the little '26 roadster that would become my lil' black roadster that you all know and tought me everything I know about how to make a project like that work. Both he and Chris helped me put the roadster together and it wouldn't be on the road had they not been there. Bill has unfortunately been dealing with heath issues (poor joints and leg problems from years of commercial sand blasting) and major depression over the last year or 2 and, as a result, has not had any interest in the cars at all (a total 180 from his usual manor) which has been hard on all of us. Chris also has a wife and little boy of his own now, so does not have much time to help service all the cars up for Bill as he used to do, so I volunteered to handle the maintenance on all the cars in the Becker collection. This year we were very surprised to see him become excited about car season! I made an effort to get all cars (the 1917 Hupmobile, 1919 Model T, 1906 Holsman "Auto-Buggy") ready, repair and tuned for him to start driving again only to discover he can physically no longer drive any of them, even his 1919 T touring...a car he has put more mile on then I can fathom! His poor joints and medications prohibit him from even getting his feet on the pedals or even getting behind the wheel of them...which was a big blow for him. Because of this, Chris and I are wanting to but together a another T for him, something simple and low to the ground that he won't have any trouble getting in or out of and be able to drive comfortably. We have a large amount of T stuff already (frame, front/ rear axles, springs, wheels, etc) to ***emble most of the car, but are in search of a decent motor, radiator, etc, to make a complete car out of it. If any one in in the local Pacific NW region has a complete running or not T motor that has been pulled for a Hot Rod project or engine swap that they just want to get rid of, Chris and I are interested. Any other T parts, drive train or otherwise are also of interest! We aren't looking for anything fancy either, he and I are on a tight budget ...Oh! and I should mention that this is also going to be a surprise for him...he has no idea we are putting this together for him! Thanks! Clayton "MrModelT"
Here's a bump for you Mr.T, hope things work out for the project. Haven't seen Chris post in quite a while, say hi from Hershey. Any progress on the White?
Just something to think about, if he has leg problems can he handle all the pedals or any shifting at all? Might want to consider a motor you can put an automatic behind to make it more comfortable for him, although not as fun.
Thank you Very much for the Bump! He doesn't really have a problem woking the pedals so much as he simply can't get into the cars period...and if he did, they are tight enough that he can't lift his feet up on the pedals. Bill is a big boy and those cars are tight up front (I'm a young and slender guy and I have problems getting in 'em). If the seats were moved back a ways, he wouldn't have a problem. His 1909 Brush has plenty of leg room and he has no problem working the brakes. We want a simple build, very simple so we can get it running and on the road in a short amount of time for him, but the Automatic idea is a good one and something we may want to adapt later.
I've got a bunch of T parts that I'd donate. Shipping could be an issue but maybe a HAMB relay or something. I'm not sure exactly what I've got that you'd need but we can talk via PM.
Hello All! Just thought I would post an update on the Chris and I's T speedster project for his Dad, Bill. We got the first batch of parts in the paint booth and got them in color Saturday afternoon (after Bill went up for a nap ), then whisked them over to my garage for ***embly (since my T roadster is still on vacation in California and so Bill won't see it). The color Chris chose is '68 Pontiac "Verdoro Green Metallic"...such a hideously gorgeous color We have managed to locate an engine from a nice Model T Club member in Renton, WA, but we do have a long way to go yet. Here are a few shots of the painted parts in my garage awaiting ***embly.
The Jalopy Journal
