My 1915 Ford Model T

"We used to ride motorbikes and we hadn't been using them as much as I had lost my confidence," says Gloria.  So after becoming hooked on vintage cars, the motoring fanatics decided to sell their bikes and buy a Model T Ford.

"Several friends owned Model T Fords and the 2008 Model T centenary rally was coming up at Echuca which is our favourite place," Gloria explains.  Col says their 1915 Model T cost them $800 for all the pieces of rust and junk. They cost 210 when new.

However Gloria wanted to buy a vintage car they could drive right away while Col was restoring the Model T so they also bought a fully restored 1929 Chevy Coupe, one of the first six-cylinder models produced.  It cost $18,000 and Col estimates it's worth "maybe a bit more now".

The Chevy had been cut into a ute, but restored to its coupe glory about 20 years ago. The Evanses are the third owners since it was restored.
"We met the guy who restored it at a show and he said his kids never forgave him for selling it," Col says.  "We've only added some newer tyres and rebuilt the engine."

Meanwhile, Col set to working on the Model T using all the mechanical skills he learnt from years of converting VWs into beach buggies as they couldn't afford a 4WD.  "I did all the work myself except the upholstery. I sold all my old VW bits and pieces in exchange for getting the upholstery work done," Col says.  "It's worth about $15,000 now but I'm not going to sell it. It's in the family for a while.  My daughter Annette would kill me if I sold it." 

The Model T is a two-litre, 20hp four-cylinder model with two gears and an optional two-speed differential that gives it four speeds.  Its controls are a little confusing.  For a start the accelerator is on the steering wheel.  The left pedal is first gear when pushed in, neutral when let out half way and top gear when let right out.

The middle pedal is reverse and the right pedal is the brake, while the handbrake to the right of the driver engages neutral when it is half way.  "It's not difficult to drive once you get used to it," says Col  "It will go about 60km/h comfortably, while the Chevy goes about 85km/h and they both get about 20 miles to the gallon (11.7L/100km)."

His next project is a Model T panel van.  "I have enough leftover parts to be able to build about half a car already," he says.  Gloria is happy that Col will have a hobby in his retirement, but says they can only afford to register two cars at a time.  They attend about four rallies a year and their next outing is the Australia Day Bayside Vehicles Restorers Club rally at Wynnum.

"It's our favourite event," says Gloria.  "We normally get a good reaction from other motorists and pedestrians but with the Australian flag flying on the car, the response is so much better."