Model T Day’s Comes to Richmond IN

In Wayne County’s historic town of Richmond, Indiana there is a lot to love. While I had visited the fun Model T Museum in the past, I had never been to Model T Days. The event took place August 5-10 with the main event taking place on Saturday, August 8th.

The Model T Ford Museum was established in 2007 in Richmond and has been at its location in the historic Depot District since 2012. This extensive museum has over 40 vehicles and is a huge draw!

Model T Days came out of the 2008 Centennial Model T party celebrating the Ford Model T’s 100th Anniversary. Now I know what I was missing! Thank you, Visit Richmond, for hosting me.

Around Town!

One of the first views coming into town is the Model T on top of the Richmond Water tower.

My husband Keith and I arrived on Thursday evening. We loved seeing Model T’s around town even before the big event. We met up with Jack Harlan at the Wayne County Historical Society Museum and he shared a bit about his cool ride.

Jack used to live in Richmond then moved to Avon. His Model T is a beauty, a family car that sat in storage for 45 years before Jack restored it in time for the 2008 Ford Model T Centennial.

We later saw Jack on Saturday set up at the show.

Racing Model T’s

We had some other touring to do and missed the Model T rounds at the Winchester Speedway. When we were eating a marvelous lunch at Firehouse BBQ & Blues, we heard the people at the next table talking about having a Model T up to 70 mph! Curious as I am, I started asking questions, and soon was deserting the hubby, and pulling up a chair. I met Mike and Beth Vaughn, Mike and Brenda Bender, Bill and Nellie Howell, and Colton and Kristin Bocksnick.

Mike Vaugh was the racer that had his car up to the 70-mph speed!

I was told that Mike has been around Model T’s all of his life. His speedster has a special story; it was resurrected from parts in an auto mechanic’s class. Mike literally brought two truckloads of Model T parts to his Lincoln Northeast High School auto class in Lincoln, Nebraska. “It took four years to build,” he shared about this project that began in 1964.

Nellie Howell took a car out for the first time racing. “I’ve had a car since 2004, I inherited it,” she said explaining how she came to be a Model T owner. “I started with a 1919, now I’m up to 1926, I have 10 Model T’s.”

Nellie’s husband Bill said that she was, “On of many rookie drivers,” at the speedway. Mike Bender has a race car from the 20’s and he is the acclaimed King of the Hill Climb. Mike Bender also operates the Youtube platform, ModelT-Tips. Colton and Kristen Bosnick were also collectors and Colton said they all knew each other from this fun hobby. All the racers agreed that the best part of the hobby is the fellowship, and the fact that people in it are from all walks of life and that they, “All rub knuckles together.”

The Swap Meet

High on Keith’s list of things to do was to attend the swap meet so that he could be on the lookout for items for his Model T conversion tractors. While we don’t necessarily fit into the auto part, we are definitely part of the tractor Model T group!

Loving the conversion tractors, we are always on the lookout for them and enjoyed seeing one at the museum.

Model T driving school.

When we went to sign up for the Model T Driving School, an amazing opportunity, we met up with the movers and shakers of the Model T Ford Club of America. Cari Sweigart is the Operations Manager of the Model T Fore Museum, David Pietz is the Vice President, and Stu Tomlinson, President.

There was a cool Ford Model T cutaway, and the driving school began with a description from Dave.

Then Noel Chicoine, a truly patient instructor provided details on driving.

A retired physician, both Keith and I had an amazing experience.

I was glad that Noel was close by!

Ride in the touring car.

Besides the opportunity to drive a Model T, the second-best thing was going for a ride in the touring car! Long time member of the club, David Johnston took visitors like us around.

We drove around town and saw the sights of historic downtown Richmond.

Downtown is filled with murals and art. We even took a ride past the beautiful rose garden.

More!

During the event there were vintage garage sessions, the cool Touch A T, tools and parts with the beautiful 1920 Model T Fire Engine.

Displays both inside and outside of the museum kept visitors busy.

Model T Days is important because it reminds us that the Model T changed lives. This automobile was affordable, durable, created through the then new concept of mass production. Henry Ford and his Model T changed the way that America got around, and that is something worth celebrating.