Driving a Ford Model T Is a Lot Harder Than You'd Think! We Tried It

I test drive cars for a living I've driven fast cars fancy cars and a few not so fancy cars but I've never had the chance to drive the automobile that started at all the Model T Ford so when I was in Detroit for the Auto Show I took a side trip to visit the Henry Ford Museum for a test drive of a different kind are you ready for our driving laughter yes okay this is like nothing you've ever driven before you're going to see three petals on the floor your right pedal is your brake the middle pedal is reverse elect paddle is a clutch now they call it a clutch but it doesn't work like a standard punch that we use today I'm going to show you how this works I have a parking brake over here's the gas pedal there is no gas total okay that's a good that's a great question how do I make it go you see this right here this is your accelerator so it has a ham problem there's a reason the old-timers call it the Model T dance getting the car to move smoothly where you want it to go is a complicated process so you're going to pour your data flow you got to put your left pedal to the floor can't give it gas all right now put your gas up and let your left photo well now you're in second gear okay you're doing wonderful I have to tell you something if you're the first person I've ever driven with for the very first time they did not stall the car though very impressive the Model T has an inline four-cylinder engine with only 20 horsepower it could go up to 45 miles per hour if you're on a slight downhill with the wind behind you the normal speed for a horse and buggy is five to eight miles per hour so this was definitely an improvement oh and here's one more idiosyncrasy with the Model T the ten gallon fuel tank doesn't have a fuel gauge on the dash so you kind of just have to guess how far you've gone and assume you get about 20 miles to the gallon which it should be noted is better gas mileage than many cars on the road today here's the biggest surprise the Model T is actually pretty rugged you don't have to be precious with it it did great in the snow Model T's were actually made to be able to cross farms and mountains in inclement weather you just had to be sure to carry extra blankets when you did it was 12 degrees the day of my driving lesson and I was definitely wishing the heating technology was a little more advanced I'm pretty sure that back in the day the cold didn't dampen too many spirits the quiet clicking sound the engine makes when the car runs the wide Lake space the comfortable leather seats and the beautiful interior brass details all make for a smooth fun ride it's no surprise that Henry Ford became so successful with his new creation this was the car that really started it all you

Channel: Bloomberg Quicktake

Views: 3,556,070

Rating: 4.8288059 out of 5

Keywords: Bloomberg, Ford, Model T, Ford Model T, Henry Ford, Hannah Elliott, car, auto, henry ford museum, vintage cars, Bloomberg Pursuits

Id: MLMS_QtKamg

Length: 3min 12sec (192 seconds)

Published: Thu Jan 21 2016

Reddit Comments

[u/definitelylegitlol]

One of my favorite Top Gear skits involves this car. There challenge was to bring a car to Monaco that was nice enough to be left up front by the valet. So they brought this car because they figured the valet couldn't figure out how to move it. It was in the exact same spot the next day.

[u/Wyczochrany]

Shame that shots from operating the pedals are missing. Thats what was most interesting for me.

[u/mynameisalso]

The older I get the more I'd like to get a model T, or model A. I've actually got to drive a model A and it was great.

[u/Thanks_Buddy]

20 mpg! That's better than my 1989 Ford LX Hatchback!

[u/RaisedByACupOfCoffee]

If you liked this video, check out the one they did for Ural sidecar motorcycles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MyNlQq22ns

Ural sidecars are dope as hell, and we need to get more people posting over on r/ural!

[u/girusatuku]

They are driving around Greenfield Village!

[u/tacomcnacho]

I didn't quite catch what she said when she was explaining the controls. I'm assuming this works like a tractor in which you keep the throttle engaged, release the clutch to accelerate up to the throttle level, push the clutch in and change gears, correct?

[u/NicoLocoSC2]

YouTube comments on this video were worse than usual.

[u/ontopofyourmom]

Passes the Bechdel Test!