A Model T doesn’t have the modern features many motorists probably consider essential. Early models were started with a crank. Headlights were gas operated, water would drip on carbide in a canister and the gas was piped to the headlight through a hose. Lamps closer to the passenger compartment of the vehicle were run with kerosene or lamp oil.

Early Model Ts had cloth tops and some had side curtains that could be lowered in bad weather. Later models had metal bodies surrounding passenger compartments with windows.

Walhof said that in a group caravan the Model Ts move along about 35 miles per hour with their 20 horsepower engines. He said that some drivers like to go a little faster, such as 40, and some slower. The vehicles ride on narrow 3 1/2 inch wide tires and early models had wheels with wooden spokes. Later models had wire spokes.

By 1928 the Model T was replaced with the Model A.

Many of the Model Ts were trailered to Willmar for the tour but Walhof said that three from the Twin Cities area drove to Willmar. Those three vehicles left Alexandria Sunday morning for home, completing the trip to Willmar and then back to the Twin Cities would have gotten them back in the dark, something the drivers prefer to avoid with the gas lighting systems.

Local Model T Collector Larry Noyes (top right) takes a look at one of the Model T’s on display at the Starbuck Community Center Sunday afternoon. Nearly 30 Model T’s took part in the first Glacial Ridge Trail Model T Tour. For more photos from the Model T Tour check out page 16.
Photos by John R. Stone