Ford is celebrating a century of car production here in the UK and as part of that they’re taking an original Model T manufactured at its `Trafford Park, Manchester factory on tour round the British Isles.
I caught up with it recently at Castle Combe – incidentally the setting for the 1967 version of ‘Dr Doolittle’ starring Rex Harrison. The oddest aspect of the car is the epicyclic gearbox that was inspired by the British automotive engineer, Frederick Lanchester the principles of which are still used on automatic transmissions. The center pedal engages reverse, the left engages low when depressed and high on being released whilst the right operates the transmission brake; a hand throttle governs speed.
Once you get your head, and feet, around the pedal arrangement the 100-year-old car is actually quite sprightly although like all old(er) cars you need to plan braking, gear changing, accelerating and braking well ahead.
I don’t know who got more enjoyment from the few miles I did: me, or the gawping Japanese tourists who probably thought they’d gone through a time warp when the Model T chugged past them.
Related posts:
- Classic Car Fund Targets World’s Most Valuable Automobiles
- Pistons and Rings for Only $7.00? That was owning a Model T Back in 1928!
- Silverstone Classic
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