"A" with wooden spoke wheels....

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by 700rpm

Wood rots, with bad, sometimes fatal, results. Even if I owned a T, I would put steel wheels on it.

(I would love to have a 26-27 T coupe. It is my favorite pre A design. But I find them impossible to drive, and even more dangerous than an A in modern traffic.)

Ray, I think this is a unwarranted 'preconceived thought' that Model-Ts are dangerous with wooden wheels. While I agree that wood can rot, most hickory spokes do not if the vehicle is garage kept and maintenanced properly. All of my Model-Ts (-with the exception of 1) have wood wheels, and I have no problem driving 50 mph. Below is my 1915 that we think nothing of touring 300 miles a day in.

As for a T being dangerous in modern traffic, I guess there is some truth in that however I just make sure I drive mine on safer roads so as not to endanger me or others. I just drive on backroads or divided highways that typically have 55mph (-or less) speed limits, and I try to run in the 45-50 mph to stay out of harms way. I also watch my rear view mirror for cars closing from behind and I just ease over to the shoulder of the road to let them by if need be. I stay off of interstates -or any roads that would create stress for me and other drivers, ...but with that said I have no problem driving any of my T's on any roads that others would drive a non-hot rodded Model-A.

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