Historic Hood River
“A Flivver in Good Use”
3-15-2023
Notes
Alta Walter’s photos always seem to be cheerful and full of life. She title this one “A Flivver in Good Use.” Model T’s are often called flivvers, but the nickname usually referred to older autos in poor condition, sort of like “jalopy.”
I’m thinking that’s about a 1916 Model T Touring car. These cars were not very big. I’m always impressed when I see 5 or more passengers squeeze into these small seats.
Dale Nicol
Most cars of the era had cramped interiors by today’s standards, but people were generally not as "robust" as today’s Americans!
Some of the higher end cars had "fat boy steering wheels". The steering wheel was able to unlock slide off center to ease getting in and out of the drivers seat.
One car that comes to mind is WAAAM’s 1918 Stanley Steamer is a car sporting this steering wheel design.
Pat A
The lack of brakes would be the test loaded with 5 aboard.
I believe ford’s T bird was one of the last to use the fat boy steering wheel.
ArthurB
Excellent point, Pat. The T’s brakes were very weak, especially pre-1926 models like this. The joke is the braking was similar to the Titanic. With 5 passengers and a hill you’re going to be doing a lot of pumping the brakes. Before I replaced my radiator I would get steam and water on my windshield every time I tried to stop on a downhill.
Dale Nicol
Going down hill, the Model-T has a built in Jake brake called "retard the ignition" and move the throttle to the idle position.
Roger Sheldrake
Not a brake issue: However several hills in Hood River are steep enough people had to back up. Reverse was a lower gear than 1st. Ah the good old days!
ArthurB
Backing up the hill was actually because the gas tank was gravity feed from underneath the seat, so if your tank was low the engine would be starved when you climbed a hill running forward. Back up it, and the tank is higher than the engine.
Pat A
My understanding is both the lower reverse gear and the fuel tank elevation going up steep hills.
Love the steam on the windshield, always bring water on any long trip!
nels
There’s a few extra hands in that picture!