How to start and drive a Ford Model T

Operations manager Kevin Nelson of the St Louis Car Museum Team explains how to start and drive a Ford Model T. This vintage Ford is just one of the many classic and collector cars showcased within our museum. Our facility is open to the public Monday - Saturday each week!

[@Trapper4265]

I took a Ford Model-T driver's training just last week, 7-11-2024, at the AACA Museum in Hershey, PA. It took me about 30 minutes before I could get it going without stalling it. But they did mention switching out of battery into magneto after you get it started. It was a cool experience. 😊

[@lawrencejohnson6823]

I like your video of how to position the lever on the left...many other videos dont include that

[@halfMTstudios]

this is the easiest to understand video on driving model Ts. Thank you!

[@davidburroughs2244]

Had no clue how different things had been. First came to hear a sound that had been familiar over a hundred years ago and stayed for the excellent and unexpected lesson in operating this vehicle.

[@southside4073]

Thank you so much. Clear and straight forward video. Great job. Again, thank you.

[@Carterofmars]

Good, clear, and concise presentation. Thx.

[@Modeltnick]

In normal driving, there is no need to fool with the brake lever once you learn that neutral is the center position on the "clutch" pedal. When coming to a stop sign, or the like, you just push the "clutch" pedal to the center position while applying the foot (service) brake. Then to take off, you simply push the "clutch" (left) pedal down while giving it some gas and accelerate up to about 5-10 mph and then let the left pedal come up to the top position while backing off the throttle for a smooth shift. Something that takes some practice to learn.

[@cafux78]

Completely different to the notion of modern cars. It looks so anti intuitive

[@nateholden7598]

That is what I was thinking! I love these old cars and know the ins and outs of them. I would drive it exactly how you described mu friend

[@Spritsailor]

It would run smoother if the key was moved to magneto after starting it.

[@brettknoss486]

You left the car on battery, your supposed to switch to the magnetto once the engine is running.

[@lordkorner]

John Steinbeck sent me here.

[@markosterman419]

Enjoyed the video. Just a few points. You shouldn’t need to put your foot on the brake when you start the car, since you already have the parking brake on. The key should be switched to magneto once you start the car as the magneto generates more volts electric than the 6 volt battery giving you a stronger spark. When you were driving the ammeter showed a discharge … did you have the lights on at that time. Hope so … a discharge with the lights off is a “red flag” something is amiss. I own a 1923 model T runabout and use it as my daily driver here in Rochester NY. Very reliable transportation.

[@QuasiTraction]

Somewhat like a motorcycle. With the pedal system. I've always wanted to drive one just to have the experience. I've driven my dad's 1930 Model A. but that is two cables, throttle and choke, and Clutch/Brake/Foot feed, and Starter on the floor.

[@VictrolaJazz]

+QuasiTraction A Model A adopted the normal floor shift pattern of other cars, brought it into the modern world!

[@garymorris1856]

Very cool. Thanks for posting this.

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

That was so cool!

[@jacksmith5692]

The 1927 Model A was a modern type car with wheel brakes and you had to use the clutch twice to shift. You sort of went to neutral and then to the gear you wanted to use. The gears were not synchronized. The Model T would do 45 to 50 and the Model A 65 to 70.

[@MisterRichHarris]

This gave me flashbacks to Matt Damon in SOMETHING ABOUT MARY

[@OLDROCKER123]

Looks very scary,,, Thanks Tony.. UK.

[@stickfigurewithahat8860]

“Time travels to 1920 with a car from 2016” “LOOK HOW SIMPLE ANS EASY THIS IS”

[@shermanhatch1916]

use the hand crank much esier!

[@jacksmith5692]

It's not a brake like we know with drum or disc brakes. The right pedal was a transmission brake. The left pedal was a two speed high and low pedal. Note they only had one door. You entered and exited from the passenger side!

[@theoneeyedking1230]

Any information on top speed or if it would be possible to street legalize?

[@TaijanDean]

Top speed is around 40-45MPH. it should be street legal in almost all areas. Just watch out for the freeway as you may get funny looks from the police if you can't keep up with traffic. That said, there's nothing stopping you from doing that either.

[@watchman001]

east of eden ch 29 brought me here

[@rockthesix7393]

Imagine todays youth with cars like that...and needing to text every five seconds.

[@garyd1816]

Hey, genius, your amp gauge is wired backwards.

[@airsoftmp5a4]

Shut the fuck up.

[@QuasiTraction]

Actually its not. 6 Volt used what we basically understand as, DC (Direct current), and that Ampere gauge would blow the little spring coil inside it. You wire it the other way, well, have fun with that..

[@user-sx3qf2ju1j]

Turn off Utuɓe