At Jim Hinckley’s America, we tell people where to go and share America’s story. Few vehicles have left a mark in the American story like the Ford Model T and Model A.
These cars didn’t just change how people traveled, they changed the way we build the roads, towns, and dreams that shaped America in the first decades of the 20th century. But what’s more astonishing? They’re still out there. Still running. Still bringing folks together, one rattle and pop, one road trip adventure at a time.
The Model T: “Tin Lizzie” and the Wheels of Revolution
Between 1908 and 1927, Henry Ford’s Model T put the world on wheels—literally. Over 15 million were built, transforming the landscape of America and the livelihoods of its people. By 1920 three out five vehicles on the roads of the world were manufactured by Ford!
Did you know that driving a Model T is not conventional? My first attempt at driving a Model T was on a date with the young lady that became my wife, my dearest friend. It was a double date. What an adventure!
How to Drive a Model T
- Three pedals (but not how you think!): Left = gear, middle = reverse, right = brake
- Hand throttle and spark advance on the steering column
- Crank start before 1921
- Lots of coordination and patience
“Driving a Model T is sort of like trying to juggle without spilling the coffee.” – Jim Hinckley
The Model A: A Lady With Style
By the mid 1920s sales of the Ford Model T were plummeting. When compared to vehicles manufactured by Dodge, Chevrolet, Studebaker, Durant, and other companies the T was antiquated. Even though it was one of the least expensive cars on the market it was time for a replacement.
Reluctantly Henry Ford gave into the promptings of his son, Edsel, the Model A (1928–1931) was the result. This was a more modern, refined, powerful, and stylish machine. It came in a wide range of body styles, including pickups, AA large trucks, phaetons, roadsters, and coupes.
Driving a Model A is a bit more conventional. But there are some quirks such as learning how to ‘double clutch” as the transmission is not synchronized.
Driving a Model A
- Standard clutch, brake, and gas pedal layout
- Manual choke and spark advance
- Starts with a button on the floor. But it can also be started with a crank.
Why They’re Still Beloved
Whether you’re 20 or 80, there’s something almost magical about these cars. They seem timeless:
- Parts are still widely available through suppliers like Snyder’s, Bratton’s, and Mac’s
- Massive international club support: Model T Ford Club of America, Model A Ford Club of America are just two organizations that can provide support as well as technical assistance.
- Events year-round: From local parades to full-blown tours, owners of these car drive them, and not just to shows.
The Regters: Around the World in a Model T
Dutch couple Dirk and Trudy Regter proved just how far a Model T can go—literally. Starting in 2012, they drove their 1915 Model T more than 50,000 miles across five continents, raising awareness for SOS Children’s Villages.
- Crossed Europe and Africa
- Toured the U.S. and Canada
- Continued into South America
Read more about their adventure via Ford Europe’s official release.
Tebo Barn & Ryan Theiebault: Rolling History
Tebo Barn in New Hampshire is one part museum and all garage. It is a special palce where the past is alive as owner Ryan Theiebault isn’t just preserving history—he’s driving it.
in 2020 Ryan took a Model A across the country, cruising parts of Route 66 – more than 8,000 miles in three weeks! He shared highlights of that adventure on the March 9, 2025 episode of Coffee With Jim, the weekly podcast from Jim Hinckley’s America on Podbean. He also discussed his passion for keeping old cars—and old roads—relevant.
Visit TeboBarn.com to peek into his collection and world where time seems to stand still.
Let’s Hit the Road: A Model T & A Route 66 Cruise
Inspired by Ryan’s journey and conversations on Coffee With Jim, we’ve been brainstorming about a Model T and Model A Route 66 Cruise for the Route 66 centennial in 2026. That also happens to be the 250th anniversary of the United States.
What better way to celebrate those milestones than with the cars that put the world on wheels traveling the Main Street of America.
Imagine this:
- A caravan of century-old Fords rolling into Tucumcari, New Mexico for a celebration of American bathed in a neon glow.
- Posing for photos at the summit of Sitgreaves Pass in the Black Nountains of Arizona.
- Crossing the Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis
Interested? Let’s make it happen. Contact us and share your ideas.
🧭 The Road Ahead
The Ford Model T and Model A aren’t just antiques. They’re rolling history. They’re conversation starters, mechanical marvels, and passports to a community that spans the globe. They are tangible links to the dawn of the auto industry and the birth of the great American road trip.
At Jim Hinckley’s America, we celebrate stories like these—and the people who keep them alive.
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Tags: Model T Ford, Model A Ford, Antique Car Tours, Vintage Route 66, Classic Cars, Jim Hinckley’s America, Tebo Barn, Dirk and Trudy Regter, Coffee With Jim Podcast
Thank you. Shared adventures are the best adventures.