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By ROD KING
for The News-Banner
The party of the century celebrating the car of the century convened in Richmond in late July. All eyes were on America’s first affordable automobile and the one that put this country on wheels…the Model T Ford.
According to Jay Klehfoth, CEO of the Model T Ford Club of America (MTFCA), 800 to 1,000 Model Ts from all over the world were in attendance and on display at the Wayne County Fair Grounds. “This will be the largest gathering of Model Ts since they left the factory back in the early 1900s. We’re hoping to establish a new Guinness World Book of Records mark for the parade with the most vehicles of a single make. It should be a snap because the previous record is just 177,” he added.
So why wasn’t this once-in-a-lifetime event being held in the Motor City? It’s because the MTFCA and its CEO are headquartered in Centerville just west of Richmond, and the Club’s Model T Museum is situated on Interstate 70 at Exit 145. “Besides that, says Klehfoth, “we decided it should be held in an area that represents what life was like in the early part of the 20th century.
“Ford Motor Company, along with the support of the Ford Motor Company Fund, is the title sponsor of the Centennial T Party. We’re thankful for their involvement in celebrating the 1908 introduction of the Model T. They even built a Ford Village at the Fair Grounds.” Henry Ford’s great grandson, Edsel, was present at the opening ceremonies and a number of Ford family members and top Ford executives were expected to attend.
Attendees saw the rare, the common and the absurd on display. From Model T campers and tent-topped touring Ts, to ambulances, fire trucks, race cars, delivery wagons and even Model-T snowmobiles, the city streets and quiet back country roads were once again be filled with “THE car of the century.” Gasoline Alley, with the world’s top Model T mechanic, Gator Gould, and his staff, were on hand to make sure the Ts kept running. There was also be a bi-plane fly-in at the nearby Hagerstown airport with shuttles available from downtown Richmond.
More than 1.5 million of them rolled off the assembly line in Detroit between 1908 and 1927, and it is estimated that 500,000 have survived. “The reason so many are still around,” explained Klehfoth, “is that you can still get parts, they’re easy to work on and most of them run. It’s still one of the most affordable cars because you can get a nice one for around $8,000 today. You can have more fun with one of these for less money than any other antique car.”
People drove to the event in caravans from all across the country. Those with Model T campers camped at the Fair Grounds.
Klehfoth’s first Model T, a dark green 1927 coupe, is on display just inside the museum’s front door. He bought it at age 13 and drove it to high school in Richmond.
Center of the Centennial universe was the 200-acre Fair Grounds at the northwest edge of town. Ten different Model T driving tours took participants to attractions in a 10-county area of eastern Indiana and western Ohio, and to special events in the Historic Depot District of Richmond for shopping, food, music and dancing. In addition to several car shows (campers, speedsters and snowmobiles), an old-time baseball game was held, along with a swap meet and numerous seminars.
While you’re in the Richmond area, be sure to check out the Wayne County Historical Museum where nine examples of autos, including the Crosley, that were manufactured here are displayed. See the Gennett Records Walk of Fame where large bronze plaques of the giants of the recording business in the 1920s and 1930s are imbedded in the sidewalk. Eleven were honored last year, the first, and 9 will be added this year until a total of 80 is reached. The Levi Coffin House, which helped more than 2,000 slaves flee to freedom, is also a must see.
Indiana’s Antique Alley is a two-loop trail starting in Richmond and meandering through the back roads and small communities in the area. Some 1,300 antique dealers can be found, including the two-acre Webb’s Antique Mall in Centerville which has been operating for more than 30 years.
For more information, contact the Richmond-Wayne County Visitor’s Bureau at 800-828-8414 or their web site at www.visitrichmond.org.