Model T owners from around the globe to meet for a rally at Dryburgh Abbey
Friday, January 18 2008
One hundred Ford Model Ts will come to the Borders in May to celebrate the centenary of the production of the first Model T in 1908.
The rally has attracted entries from Sweden, Denmark, France, Holland, Norway, Ireland and the USA.
This extravaganza, based at the Dryburgh Abbey Hotel, will be touring the Scottish Borders, taking in towns including Kelso, Selkirk, Melrose, St Boswells and Peebles.
Councillor Alasdair Hutton, Convenor of Scottish Borders Council, said: “This will be one of the biggest events of the year in the Borders and will attract people from around the globe, so the eyes of the world will be on the Borderland. It is a marvelous initiative and we are behind it all the way”.
The Council has funded an event in Kelso to allow the public to see the collection of cars.
The Model T, voted car of the century, was first described in 1908 as being “homely as a mule and useful as a pair of shoes”. From this came the 20th century industrial and social revolutions - the Model T would reshape manufacturing techniques and put the world on wheels.
Selkirk-based Lochcarron of Scotland, in conjunction with rally organiser Mike Povey, has produced the Model T tartan, which incorporates colours significant to the car and will provide a lasting memento of the centenary.
Fraserburgh coach builders, Gray and Adams, are also sponsoring the event.
The rally will also take in Edinburgh, including Bute House. A civic reception will be held in the City Chambers in the presence of members of the Scottish Parliament, the American Ambassador and the Lord Provost. Members of the Alexander family will also attend. Henry Alexander made the Model T famous by driving it to the top of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, in 1911.
The production of the Model T in the USA came to an end in 1927, its successor being the Model A.
The Model T was very powerful for the time with a 20 horsepower, four cylinder, three bearing engine. The engine had a unique, detachable cylinder head and three point suspension. A pedal-operated planetary transmission and only two forward gears, with only two speeds enabled the driver to shift easily without danger of damage to gears. The engine, transmission and rear axle were completely enclosed.
Scotland has had strong connections with the famous car. In 1903, the first chairman of the Ford Motor company, Alexander Malcolmson, was from Ayrshire
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