Vintage Model T Vehicles Travel Coast to Coast

The 2019 Ocean-to-Ocean Rerun team is gearing up for its annual cross-country road trip adventure, covering 4,000 miles in 11 states, in vintage Ford Model T vehicles which are 100 years old, or more.

The road trip begins June 15, 2019 in Tarrytown, NY, and ends 30 days later in Seattle.

Let’s hope all 35 vintage vehicles which start the race make it to the finish line.

The oldest Model T in the event is a 1909 model, the year the coast-to-coast road trip was held as America’s first transcontinental automobile race and endurance contest.

It’s no longer a race, but it certainly still is an endurance contest.

Members of the Ocean-to-Ocean team love automotive history, life in the slow lane and the open road.

They’ll be experiencing all three, since there is no heat or air conditioning in a vintage Model T, and many will be driving with their tops down to maintain a “running” speed of 40 miles an hour.

Unlike many auto collectors, this group drives their cars rather than allowing them to become expensive dust collectors.

Maintenance Challenges for Vintage Vehicles

Maintenance is also a huge concern for the Model T’s many of which are over a 100 years old with original wooden bodies.

Drivers will have more than just the local landscape to consider as they need to keep a keen eye on the many maintenance items that have to be addressed every day.

A Model T gas tank is located securely under the front seat and holds just 10 gallons, to cover 175 miles.

Oil levels, gas levels, tire pressure and water levels in the radiator must be checked regularly.

Changing tires means manually removing the tire and tube from the rim. It also has to be replaced with hand strength.

Re-enactment of America’s first transcontinental auto race in 1909

Their 2019 Ocean to Ocean Rerun is a re-enactment of America’s first transcontinental automobile race 110 years ago, the 1909 Ocean-to-Ocean Automobile Endurance Contest,  which started in New York City on June 1, 1909 with the first competitor reaching Seattle 22 days later.

The first place prize was $2000, which is worth $55,288 in 2019.

“Henry Ford was true marketing guy who knew he had to prove the durability of his cars. This event created an ideal opportunity to show the Model T was affordable and more reliable than any of his competitor’s cars,” said Morris Dillow, one of the vintage road trip organizers.

“There were very few paved roads west of the Mississippi River in 1909. Competitors faced running out of gas, fires, getting lost, axle deep mud and even quicksand.

Ford heavily advertised the race results after Model T was first to cross the finish line after 23 days. As a result, it became the worlds’ best-selling car in the first half of the 20th century,” added Dillow.

2019 Ocean-to-Ocean Rerun Schedule: