Saturday Terry and I went to the Delta County Historical Society and Museum’s 50th Year Celebration. After touring the Museum, talking to new and old friends, we visited the antique booths and the Classic Car Show. The last car we saw was the highlight of the whole Car Show for Terry and I–
Garrey Benis (now passed) found this still running and in very good condition in a barn at an estate sale in Nebraska. He brought it home and he and his wife started going to car shows.
His wife still takes the car to local shows (she lives at Cory, Colorado) driving this darling car by herself all the way from there to here or where ever she is going. She says she gets to going about 35-40 m.p.h. (YAY, Mrs. BENIS!!! You go, Girl!)
Although, she doesn’t do ALL the mechanic work on the car (her son helps) she does do all the driving.
Just incase you might think that is nothing (why we all drive cars) ….look at this–THREE PEDALS and a Brake…that’s it! That’s all you get, folks! She explained how you do it, but I forget. Anyway…what a hoot! I just love her independence, lack of fear, and desire to share with those around her really neat car!
Your friend,
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 
The Model T’s transmission was controlled with three foot pedals and a lever that was mounted to the road side of the driver’s seat. The throttle was controlled with a lever on the steering wheel. The left pedal was used to engage the gear. With the floor lever in either the mid position or fully forward and the pedal pressed and held forward the car entered low gear. When held in an intermediate position the car was in neutral. If the driver took his foot off the left pedal, the Model T entered high gear, but only when the lever was fully forward – in any other position the pedal would only move up as far as the central neutral position. This allowed the car to be held in neutral while the driver cranked the engine by hand. The car could thus cruise without the driver having to press any of the pedals. There was no separate clutch pedal.
When the car was in neutral, the middle pedal was used to engage reverse gear, and the right pedal operated the transmission brake – there were no separate brakes on the wheels. The floor lever also controlled the parking brake, which was activated by pulling the lever all the way back. This doubled as an emergency brake.
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How neat that Garrey continues to drive and show this car. ‘You go, Girl’ is absolutely right!
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What a neat car and a spunky lady!! Glad you got some time away from all your jobs at home!
Blessings!
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Cool!!! Is part of that wood or just looks that way in the picture?
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She is quite the lady! Wow, so impressed. I can drive a standard transmission, but that one looks a couple dozen steps harder than the ones we used to have.
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oh, so cool!
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The look of those pedals is enough to scare the daylights out of me Linda.
So well done that woman.
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Oh how I love that lady—and her car… SO NEAT… I’m sure that her hubby is smiling from above that she continues to drive the car and go to car shows…. How special is that!!!! Good for HER.
Hugs,
Betsy
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Spunky Lady! A very good going. Keeps her going strong 🙂 What a neat car! Thanks for sharing, Linda. John, thanks KB for explaining how to drive the thing – that even make her sound more Spunky!
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That is so cool! I bet Fuzzy and Boomer would look good riding in it too!
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what fun as well. I do so admire people who take time and trouble to take old thing sand make them work. Sorta like resurrection…I love going to museums and seeing things that are no longer in use, it brings back memories of childhood days
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also just thought..cars were made to last in those days not like the stuff you buy today
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Imagine what a ride that must be!
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Nice to hear of a Model T in running condition. And about the Dear Lady who drives it! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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It may run better than most fords.
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Wow she is some lady! 🙂 her husband must have taught her how to drive:)
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Looks like that would take some doing to drive! I have enough problems trying to drive my dad’s 70s pick-up with stick shift! Quite the old car!
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