‘T’ Time: July Centennial T Party to Honor Model T’s 100th Birthday

Model T Ford lovers are sitting on the edges of their “mother in law” seats, waiting for the lovable “flivver’s” 100th birthday party to start. The soiree will take place July 21-26 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond, Ind. According to Dennis Goerder of Baraboo, Wis., “We are expecting over 1,000 Model T cars and trucks to attend.”

A 1917 Model T Ford dump truck, donated to the Model T Museum by Bill Palmer of Las Vegas, Nev., is shown parked outside the Centerville, Ind., facility built by Bowers Building & Woodshop and Elstro Construction & Concrete. (The Vintage Ford photo).

Gorder, a national director of the Model T Ford Club of America (MTFCA), is deeply involved in planning a Model T assembly competition for the summer show. Gorder is also a member of the Wisconsin Capital Model T Ford Club’s assembly team, which has put together the pieces of a Model T roadster at the Iola Old Car Show and at the Ford Motor Co.’s 2003 centennial celebration in Dearborn, Mich.

“The Indiana Centennial T Party will be a week-long celebration, including car games, the assembly competition, various tours, a vintage baseball game and an antique aircraft show,” Gorder told Old Cars Weekly. “It will be an event that the Model T fan will not want to miss.”

Jay G. Klethforth, chief executive officer of MTFCA and editor of The Vintage Ford, advised that details about the Centennial T Party can be obtained by visiting www.mtfca.com. Those without Internet service can write to Model T Ford Club of America, PO Box 126, Centerville, IN 47330-0126, or call 765-855-5248. The club is also selling a collectible 2008 Centennial T Party poster for $19.95 plus $6.50 domestic shipping ($9.50 foreign).

Registration forms for the event are being printed in The Vintage Ford. The form lists seven separate tours, show and judging information, and details about accommodations and camping. There will also be swap meet with approximately 500 vendor spaces. Both indoor and outdoor spaces are shown on the map. Ron Patterson of Nicholsville, Ken., is in charge of the swap meet and can be contacted at 859-881-1677 or Modeltcoils@allte.net.

Well-known Model T authority Bruce McCalley told Old Cars Weekly that more than 500 Model Ts are already signed up for the Centennial T Party. Copies of his book “Model T Ford: The Car That Changed The World” will be available at the show, as will copies of Tom Collins’ new book, “The Legendary Model T,” which was recently published by Old Cars Weekly’s book division.