How to drive a Ford Model T – YouTube.

In The Vision of a Mother’s Heart, “Papa” drove a Model T Ford. In my research for a chapter in the sequel where Papa teaches thirteen-year-old Isabel how to drive, I ran across this video in my research.
I had asked my father, Charles McReynolds about the car and he had two important but surprising points to include.

1. The Model T had three pedals on the floor. The middle pedal is “Reverse” and the right pedal is the brake – No gas pedal!

2. When cranking the car to start it, it was important to hold the thumb close to the hand – “don’t use the thumb. If the crank backfires it can break your thumb off or at least will break the thumb.” Ouch!

In my research I also found that if the weather is cold, one must use one’s left hand to turn the crank. If the right hand is used, it could break the right arm. Scary, wasn’t it?

My grandmother, Isabel wanted to learn to drive at the age of thirteen because that is the age her two older brothers learned to drive. I can see why Papa was hesitant. Did he teach her to drive?

We’ll learn the answer in the sequel, Hope Beyond The Sunset!

Until next time,

Kathy

Joshua 1:9 (KJV)