Starting the Car
2) Get in the car and set the coil box switch to magneto, retard the timing, move the throttle stalk downwards just a bit to idle. Don't forget to put the car in the neutral that sets the rear brakes.
3) Get back out of the car and turn the crank WITH YOUR LEFT HAND. If you use your right hand, when the car starts and the crank kicks back it will break your arm.
Driving the Car
Now you are ready to drive.
To slow the car for a corner adjust the speed clutch (left) pedal to neutral, it's somewhere between high speed and low speed, while using the brake (right) pedal. It's probably a good idea to reduce the gas flow and retard the spark so you don't stall out. Don't forget to steer!
Damn, you're in a ditch.
Your grandparents drove these Tin Lizzies with as much skill as you drive your air conditioned SUV with cruise control, power steering, and a cup holder for your half soy latte.
Face it, your grandparents were a lot smarter than you. They had to be to drive that thing. If you tried to drive a Model T you'd piss yourself just pulling out of the driveway.
The Model T is absolute proof that Americans are getting dumber. Oh, and Henry Ford was an anti-Semitic racist.
3 comments:
My Grandfather was a fine man, but he couldn't troubleshoot a wireless router if his life depended on it
I think it is just proof Americans are less inclined to tolerate 'busy work' and dangerous activities. Automatic spark advance and electric starters prevented unnecessary work and deaths where breaking an arm in early 20 century could kill you. You would be on firmer ground that Americans are getting dumber by pointing out that Americans voted to elect G.W.Bush but then reelected him plus also allowing the Electoral College to deteriorate to a rubber stamp for political parties instead of doing it's job of weeding out unacceptable winners of the Presidential election.
I'm afraid the Model T wouldn't pass any liability standards that are in effect today. The mechanical braking system would be totally unacceptable today and they would roll over just going around a corner and there were no creature comforts that we take for granted and the worst automobile built in the late 70's would be a 100 times more reliable than to T ever was. And that is just getting started.
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