Post by neil6147 on Jan 29, 2008 5:06:02 GMT 10
A PARADE of one of the world's most iconic cars is to travel through Edinburgh as part of a centenary celebration.
In May, up to 100 Ford Model Ts will wind their way from Charlotte Square, through the centre of town to the Royal Mile, with the procession culminating in a drive around Arthur's Seat. It is part of the 100th anniversary of the car – creator Henry Ford once said customers could have "any colour, so long as it's black" – and enthusiasts are expected to flock from across the world for the event.
Organisers of the rally have submitted a request to the council to make it a civic event, and they are hoping to get various celebrities and public figures on board.
Organiser Mike Povey (pictured below with wife Maria) from Jedburgh, who is part of the Model T Ford Register of Great Britain, said the event has taken around three years to plan and will turn heads in the city when it takes place on May 19.
The 62-year-old said: "It is the world's best-known car – at one time half the cars in the world were a Model T.
"We plan to meet in Charlotte Square, and maybe the First Minister will even be there, then take a few VIP guests along Princes Street, up the Mound and eventually to a civic reception in the City Chambers.
"We hope to have up to 100 involved. I know there are cars coming from the US, Holland, France, Sweden and Norway for this, and the final run round Arthur's Seat before heading down to the Borders will be something really special."
The Edinburgh spectacle is just part of a week-long celebration which will also include events in the Borders.
To mark the occasion, organisers have also teamed up with kiltmakers Lochcarron to create a Model T tartan featuring colours synonymous with the car, with reds and yellows the prominent feature.
It was decided that the procession would be the best way to celebrate the centenary after organisers declared that many connections between the Model T and Scotland had been unearthed over the years.
Mr Povey, who fell in love with the Model T after seeing Kenneth More film Genevieve (1953) about the London to Brighton vintage car rally, added: "It's my whole life, after that film I've just never looked back. This event has taken around three years to plan."
Yorkshire-based Julia Armer, another member of the Model T Ford Register of Great Britain, was excited about the prospect of coming to Edinburgh.
She said: "I will definitely be coming up for the event in May and think it will be very good. I've had a Model T for 20 years and they are very special to me. You can get them in all sorts of colours and there are all different types."
ANY COLOUR YOU LIKE, AS LONG AS IT'S BLACK
THE iconic Ford Model T is one the world's most recognised cars.
First built by Henry Ford's Motor Company in 1908, the car was generally seen as the world's first affordable motor vehicle at a time when motoring was just starting to become more popular.
During its 33 years of production, around 15 and a half million Model Ts were sold worldwide.
It is estimated that at one point, half of all the world's cars were a Model T.
Production ceased in 1941 but its memory has lived on with the establishment of several clubs around the world for enthusiasts to meet and drive their Model Ts in convoy.
Despite its age, driving one is said to be fairly straightforward.
The accelerator is operated by hand, with forward gears operated by foot pedals, and they can reach speeds of about 40mph.
WEB LINKS
• www.modeltregister.co.uk
In May, up to 100 Ford Model Ts will wind their way from Charlotte Square, through the centre of town to the Royal Mile, with the procession culminating in a drive around Arthur's Seat. It is part of the 100th anniversary of the car – creator Henry Ford once said customers could have "any colour, so long as it's black" – and enthusiasts are expected to flock from across the world for the event.
Organisers of the rally have submitted a request to the council to make it a civic event, and they are hoping to get various celebrities and public figures on board.
Organiser Mike Povey (pictured below with wife Maria) from Jedburgh, who is part of the Model T Ford Register of Great Britain, said the event has taken around three years to plan and will turn heads in the city when it takes place on May 19.
The 62-year-old said: "It is the world's best-known car – at one time half the cars in the world were a Model T.
"We plan to meet in Charlotte Square, and maybe the First Minister will even be there, then take a few VIP guests along Princes Street, up the Mound and eventually to a civic reception in the City Chambers.
"We hope to have up to 100 involved. I know there are cars coming from the US, Holland, France, Sweden and Norway for this, and the final run round Arthur's Seat before heading down to the Borders will be something really special."
The Edinburgh spectacle is just part of a week-long celebration which will also include events in the Borders.
To mark the occasion, organisers have also teamed up with kiltmakers Lochcarron to create a Model T tartan featuring colours synonymous with the car, with reds and yellows the prominent feature.
It was decided that the procession would be the best way to celebrate the centenary after organisers declared that many connections between the Model T and Scotland had been unearthed over the years.
Mr Povey, who fell in love with the Model T after seeing Kenneth More film Genevieve (1953) about the London to Brighton vintage car rally, added: "It's my whole life, after that film I've just never looked back. This event has taken around three years to plan."
Yorkshire-based Julia Armer, another member of the Model T Ford Register of Great Britain, was excited about the prospect of coming to Edinburgh.
She said: "I will definitely be coming up for the event in May and think it will be very good. I've had a Model T for 20 years and they are very special to me. You can get them in all sorts of colours and there are all different types."
ANY COLOUR YOU LIKE, AS LONG AS IT'S BLACK
THE iconic Ford Model T is one the world's most recognised cars.
First built by Henry Ford's Motor Company in 1908, the car was generally seen as the world's first affordable motor vehicle at a time when motoring was just starting to become more popular.
During its 33 years of production, around 15 and a half million Model Ts were sold worldwide.
It is estimated that at one point, half of all the world's cars were a Model T.
Production ceased in 1941 but its memory has lived on with the establishment of several clubs around the world for enthusiasts to meet and drive their Model Ts in convoy.
Despite its age, driving one is said to be fairly straightforward.
The accelerator is operated by hand, with forward gears operated by foot pedals, and they can reach speeds of about 40mph.
WEB LINKS
• www.modeltregister.co.uk