Can You Really Drive a 100-Year-Old Ford Model T In the Snow? (Part 3) 

This is hilarious! Really enjoying these T videos.

Clearly another reason why automobiles are just a passing fad, and will never replace horses!

A little history lesson, One of the first "snowmobiles" created was a modified model T with tracks and skies

Man, that cold start was better than a lot of modern vehicles

My family built a 2 bay garage in the 1910's when they got their 1914 T. One bay had a removable floor section to service the car. The other bay has a 2ftx3ft metal pan to catch the engine block water when you parked in the winter. The pan drained to the ground. They used that 1914 T to drive a pulley driven firewood sawmill and would stick a meat grinder handle into the spokes and idle as slow as possible to grind meat. Sadly the T was sold in 1915. We still have the garage.

Sandbags and chains might help, but In 1915 you could probably just take the horse instead.

"Plus my pants are falling off." "Well, that's not the car's fault."

That's what the Model T snowmobile kit is for. Here in New England, we know better than to drive our model Ts in the snow without tracks on the back and skis in the front. Ford sold a snowmobile kit for winter driving from the factory. There were no winter tires in 1915, only snowmobile conversion kits. Many consider the Ford winter driving conversion kit to be the world's first snowmobile.

You’re right about back in the day they didn’t use antifreeze. Back in the day what they did use was a mixture of alcohol and water, depending on where they live and degree of temperature.

As a fellow old dude I really felt for Roman. Got his weeks worth of exercise in 15 minutes. Be well dude

I have heard that back when the car was new, drivers would wrap rope around the wheel, threading it through the spokes, as DYI version of chains.

The old timers used to wind rope around the tire between the spokes. That was their “chains.”

“My pants are falling off” “Well, that’s not the car’s fault” I love their father/son relationship 😂

If you read some of the old accounts of driving across the country which happened 5-7 years before this, they used rope as there were no chains. You could get a few feet anywere in those days and most farmers and ranchers had it. If I rember correctly Edsel Ford drove a brand new 1915 across the country to show it's reliability. My father drove a Model T as a kid as his dad never had a driver's license. A driver's license was fairly easy, plop a quarter on the counter even if you had to stand on your tip toes. During winter and spring they not only had ropes for chains but carried a block and tackle to winch if needed.

The fact that the ground was not frozen was not helping you. You were basically trying to drive it in mud. Fun video. I loved it.

Sometime in 1915. "Grandma, get out and push"😂

My grandpa had told me that back when he was driving one (bought a brand new ‘23 at 18yo) he would drain the oil and I assume radiator and bring both of those fluids in the house at night and store them by the wood stove so he could start the car easier in the morning.

LMAO! He scared the mess out of him with the horn.

Back in the day, you'd wrap clothesline around the tires through the convenient openings in the wood wheels, or you'd buy some of those new fangled things called snow chains.

Two minutes of Googleing and I found an add for Weed Tire Chains from the teens or twenties. Locking differentials have also been available for the T for 100 years or more.

1916 was probably more exciting for the drive because a massive storm moved from the Pacific Ocean, flooding and breaking dams across the West, including Chula Vista, CA, Yuma, AZ, and Reno, NV, then it turned to blizzards and buried KS so the doctor almost didn't arrive in time to help my grandmother deliver my mother at their farm, in late January. My mother never drove a Model T but did knock down the farmhouse fence trying to stop the Model A in her teens. She just about couldn't reach the pedals.

Fun to watch. I enjoy the wonderful, father/son, interaction. Where else will you see 100+ year old vehicle operated in the snow. I find it hard to believe that only 10% of viewers are giving this a thumbs up.

The Ford model T is such a lovely vehicle! Love seeing it!

Advice for winter driving given in the 1919 edition of “Questions and Answers on Automobile Design, Construction and Repair “ : use tire chains; or if stuck, wrap a rope around each rear tire between the spokes.

This is like driving a Model T during the Great Depression when no one could afford new tires or during WWII when all the rubber went to the war effort.

My dad passed away in 2014. I love watching a grown Tommy and Roman interact. Though I guarantee you it would be pushing my dad

I think the 1915 series is your absolutely best series

Back where I live in Quebec, there was only the Model T in the early 1900s. What we used in the 30s for true snow driving was the Bombardier B7 (heavily modified Model T) and after the 40s roads were mostly paved and cleared often enough with road salt and machinery for normal cars to able to freely move in winter.

Pull the brake lever half way back, it holds the left pedal in the center and you can just step on the reverse pedal. LOVE YOUR VIDEOS 🇺🇸

“Did they have chains back in the day?” I think they were calls a horse. 😂

Fun video. My great grandpa use to tell me they used a horse to pull stuck "T's" out, or pull them along.

Wind rope around your rear wheels, leaving good sized gaps between every few passes (at the spokes, gaps are automatically created, in any style of wrapping.) Use heavy-duty rope, and do not drive on hard surfaces, while wrapped. Loose snow, only. Wind the rope, and tie it, with the intention of being able to unwind, and save the rope.

What people used to do in cold weather was drain the water when they parked up then fill the radiator from the kettle before they went out, this also pre-heats the engine making it easier to start in the cold. They have a tap for you to drain the water. I know some farmers who keep vintage tractors to use as yard scrapers and they still do this in the winter.

There was a winter package that was sold for the Model T to convert it to a half track with tracks in the back and skis in the front. If you've ever seen the Christmas special "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" the postman drives one.

you boys need a model t snowmobile kit. They were an option by another company back in the day.

I drive my Model T in the snow whenever it snows. If you wrap half hitches of rope around the tire and between each spoke the car will be nearly unstoppable in snow or mud. I usually use 1/4" clothesline rope Use a half hitch between each spoke so you'll have 12 loops of rope locked square across the tire tread... Tie a bowline knot to make a loop in each end after wrapping it with 12 half hitches all the way around the tire. I put one loop through the other and use a rubber tiedown hook thing to pull the other loop across the wheel and hook to the rope on the other side to tension it like on truck tire chains. If you use the proper knots it won't come apart unless the rope wears out. There were also various types of tire chains that fit the period tires which are still out there.

lol I like how his Dad suggested to air down the tires before he drove and he didn't listen lol.

2:27 Every time we have a heavy snow fall it’s always the worst snow storm. Every time we have a cold snap, it’s always the coldest temperatures recorded. Every summer is always the hottest summer on record.

You needed weight on that rear axle and some tire chains would've been good too yes, but just some weight on that rear axle should make a difference. Instead of having your Dad push he probably should've just hopped in. Really impressed with the fact you're 25 and doing this. You and your brother remind me of Orville and Wilbur Wright. History will continue through young men like you.

To get up steep hills and in the snow, early cars were driven in reverse. This would allow fuel to gravity feed better and effectively make the car front wheel drive in terms of direction of travel. If the tank was kept full, the weight of the fuel adds a lot more pressure into the fuel line. Also, anti-freeze as an automotive product was offered in 1917. Prior to this, some people added isopropyl alcohol to radiators in cold climates.

Just be glad there's no salt out there.

Famous last words, "no dad, it won't get stuck". 😅

You should buy the Model T snow option it comes with tracks and skis in the front

While I can’t say my Model A is the absolute best car I’ve driven in the snow, it does quite well. I’ve never been stuck, even in the really deep stuff. I’ve always been able rock out of some pretty deep snow in it.

Thank you Roman and Tommy.

In the old days you would just drain the water out of the engine before parking it overnight. Fill it up in the morning. You would put a cover over the radiator to keep it from freezing while driving. Alcohol could be added to the water to act as antifreeze, but it had to be replenished frequently, since it would boil out of the water as you drove.

I love these Model T videos. Please keep them coming.😀

Love these Model T vids thank you

Great Father/Son collaboration video !!! Great job guys

This series is awesome

What a great video! Well done.

Hey guys cool old Ford. They actually sold tracks and skis for old vehicles. Pretty cool in flat lands.

I love these Model T videos!!!

I asked my grandfather what they did to keep the water from freezing in those Model T’s. He said they would put a tray of hot coal and place it under the engine.

This was fantastic. You guys are great. 😊

Seeing the little ATV zipping around the yard reminded me of my brother's old dodge. He would tie one of those cheap plastic kiddie pools to the back and all of his school chums and I would pile into it, and we'd go ripping along in the stubble of the back 40 until it flipped, and we all went flying, dirt clods, wet straw, snow and toques all over! Mom would have skinned him if he did doughnuts like that on the lawn though. :P

The reason why tire chains were invented in the era of non paved roads. With chains you can get through anything but where we live in Rochester NY they are not allowed on paved roads.

To think my grandfather was 17 years old when the Model T was new. Also, I have his 1916 LC Smith Corona typewriter. Love the Model T videos!

I'm sure you guys already know, and others have probably mentioned it in comments on the other videos (I haven't had a chance to watch them yet), but electric starters became widespread as safety feature instead of a convenience feature. If the engine backfired/detonated (I'm not sure exactly) while hand cranking it then the engine could suddenly reverse rotation. This resulted in many injuries (broken arms) and even deaths. The solution apparently is to start the engine using just your left arm because when if the engine reverses rotation then it simply bends your elbow. This may also be an old wives tale and I don't know what I'm talking about. Just wanted to bring it up. No one wants a fun video to become tragic.

Yes, there were and still are, tire chains for Model Ts. Also available back in the day were abundant supplies of traction enhancing material know as ash from the wood burning stoves. We always had several 5 gal buckets handy to throw down for traction.

there was a track add on that turned it into a halftrack. not sure how common it was. when the roads are cleared you should drive into town

i think that with those drag racing slick tyres thats pretty good. if you had proper winter tyres it would go waay better.

awesome as always

In fairness; when the Model T was first built there were no tarmac roads. Only dirt tracks.

Love these videos. I have seen model t's with skis and tracks on the back. They can really zip in the snow. After winter was over they would convert the back over to four wheelers.

That was fun! It may have been a fail from a getting somewhere point of view, but it was a win from an entertainment perspective! Thanks again!

My dad raised on Kansas farm. They used to drain radiator in winter to drive the mile to church. Other times they built small fire under engine pan to preheat engine. Passenger would blow in gas tank to pressurize it going up hill. Apparently some people rigged bicycle pumps to pressurize. Would wrapping rope around rear tire improve traction?

This is what shovels are for. Being from Alaska, I keep a shovel in every vehicle I own.

They made front skis and rear tracks for Model T's i saw one in person years ago it was pretty amazing, im loving this series!

1915 "antifreeze" would be any type of alcohol.. most ads from the era there was a "driving season" which would not include winter... "tow truck" would be borrowing a close by farmers horse..

Before antifreeze, motorists would drain the water before storage and refill before driving again. The height of the car and the non-pressurized cooling system allowed this to be done with a simple bucket or watering can.

In the OLD DAYS when this car was new, the front wheels were replaced with SKIS and the rear wheels were replaced with TREADS similar to tank treads.

This is some quality content! Can't wait to see Dreamboat take the snow!

My great uncle took a model T from north Idaho to Kentucky. He talked about finding a thick rope and wrapping it around the spokes to increase traction through mud snow and sand.

overall great fun video, i really do hope you all keep this car for the long haul... so many comparisons you can do . need to do how that car started and cars added more and more like from crank start to carb to efi to electric and such ... even conveniences like roll up windows and more

If you are going to keep the T, you should convert it to an electric self starter. My neighbour has a 1915 T with the conversion. Saves getting a broken wrist when it kicks back on the crank.

That was another fine mess you got into!😄. Loved it. It’s like what would Shawn Spencer have driven in 1915. I could tell you and your father really enjoyed it. Great vid.

Now I want to see you do some road trip in it :D But I do love this series!

gotta get a livingwood 4wd kit for her

Glad to see you wearing the helmet in the Pioneer, stay safe out there!

In the depot hack version they made a half track kit and it used skis on the front . Yes to chains and new no skid treads on the back or something more open than the summer rears you had.

Little light in the rear end. Tire technology has come a long way too. I remember my grandpa saying that the T’s had more torque in reverse than 1st gear. He said you’d see folks going up hills in reverse. Good stuff. Nice video. 😊

Roman, you need to get in shape !

In winter you'd drain the water after driving and heat it on the stove before pouring it back in at the start of the day.

Yes, they had tire chains for Model T’s.

I would bet good money that back in the day drivers would do the same thing I have done more then once to get my M/C home when caught in a snow storm. And that is wrap a good length of rope multiple times around the back rim and tire, forming a type of tire chain to improve traction. The spokes keep the rope from slipping, actually works really well. A 1/2 inch rope was thick enough to get my custom chopper home through 6 inches of snow. Didn't set any speed records doing this but kept me moving. A far better option then leaving my bike behind. I'm sure your Model T could handle a thicker diameter rope for even better traction, handle even deeper snow. Testing this could make for an interesting follow-up Model T video

100 years ago that Honda tractor thing would have been the best car in the world.

The best part about these videos is your Scooby Doo voice.

All it needs is the invention of the LSD and snow tires! And roofs! And heaters! (IOW: We've no idea how good we have it.)

this was fun to watch, it honestly makes me wonder if there is a kit? of sorts to build and drive a replica of this vehicle.

Chains were the order of the day when you had to get to town.

there is a 4 wheel drive model T in the Model T museum in Detroit, they also had Model T ford snow cats back then

I think our forefathers planned on having enough provisions stocked up that they didn't have to take their Model T's out in the snow.

Still more weather protection than the amish buggies i see every day.

one other thing ppl did with radiators back in the day that didnt have thermostats in the engine, they blocked it off partially or if really cold completely so as little cooling air got through when cold.. this could be very easily done today using cardboard in front of the radiator.. just watch the thermometer on the fillcap so it doesnt boil over..

Tommy and his helmet yelling yay remind me of Crank Yankers special Ed. Funny stuff

There where also aftermarket 4x4 kits 😁 Utilizing a modified rear axle in the front 😁

Most people drained their radiators into a bucket and set it behind the woodstove overnight. Pour it back in the radiator in the morning and it warms the block for easier starting. Tire chains were also a thing.

The truck version had 3 axle & tracks on it there are some on RU-vid as well

Another reason why still life photos back in 1915 show people with an expression of bewilderment: they saw into the future and watched this episode and wondered where common sense went! In 1915, clearly the options were to stay in shelter or if one had to get out, the horse would get you to where you needed to be. That being said, always enjoyable, though I was concerned we in You Tube land were to experience watching Roman having a heart attack on camera 😮😅