1 00:00:02,820 --> 00:00:03,930 Automatic Voice: From CurtCo Media. 2 00:00:06,090 --> 00:00:08,090 Dr Curtis Saunders: I certainly do think that there will be more cars that 3 00:00:08,090 --> 00:00:10,690 Dr Curtis Saunders: we'll look back on and we'll say that was the car that really launched 4 00:00:11,350 --> 00:00:14,249 Dr Curtis Saunders: this. It might be more like the propulsion technology, electric 5 00:00:14,250 --> 00:00:16,870 Dr Curtis Saunders: or even self- driving, but there are definitely still shifts 6 00:00:16,939 --> 00:00:19,610 Dr Curtis Saunders: to come in the auto industry in what we drive. 7 00:00:19,610 --> 00:00:22,930 Dr Curtis Saunders: I definitely think that it's going to be an exciting next century of cars. 8 00:00:29,870 --> 00:00:41,001 Automatic Voice: This is Cars That Matter. (music) 9 00:00:41,250 --> 00:00:44,470 Robert Ross: This is Robert Ross and welcome to another episode of Cars That 10 00:00:44,470 --> 00:00:47,989 Robert Ross: Matter. Today we're joined by Dr. Curtis Saunders, Mechanical Engineer 11 00:00:47,989 --> 00:00:51,510 Robert Ross: Researcher at Johns Hopkins University. How are things in Baltimore 12 00:00:51,510 --> 00:00:52,279 Robert Ross: today Curtis? 13 00:00:52,349 --> 00:00:54,610 Dr Curtis Saunders: They're great Robert. It's a beautiful sunny day here. 14 00:00:54,790 --> 00:00:56,910 Robert Ross: And Curtis is here because he's the owner of a 15 00:00:56,940 --> 00:01:00,720 Robert Ross: 1914 Ford Model T. Now I guess I could make 16 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:03,310 Robert Ross: all kinds of jokes Curtis about how you really need 17 00:01:03,310 --> 00:01:06,259 Robert Ross: a PhD in mechanical engineering to work on one of 18 00:01:06,259 --> 00:01:07,830 Robert Ross: these, but I'm sure it doesn't hurt. 19 00:01:07,830 --> 00:01:08,209 Dr Curtis Saunders: It's true, it's true. 20 00:01:08,750 --> 00:01:10,669 Robert Ross: First, we're going to dig into the history of the 21 00:01:10,670 --> 00:01:13,380 Robert Ross: Ford Model T just to understand a little bit better why it 22 00:01:14,020 --> 00:01:18,190 Robert Ross: was such an important automobile. The Ford Model T is 23 00:01:18,190 --> 00:01:21,359 Robert Ross: often named the car of the century. Obviously it's an important 24 00:01:21,360 --> 00:01:22,949 Robert Ross: car. Why is it important to you? 25 00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:25,970 Dr Curtis Saunders: I should say while I'm a mechanical engineer, I've always 26 00:01:25,970 --> 00:01:28,569 Dr Curtis Saunders: loved history. I've always been a student of history and 27 00:01:28,569 --> 00:01:31,089 Dr Curtis Saunders: history has always been a passion of mine. So the 28 00:01:31,089 --> 00:01:34,209 Dr Curtis Saunders: Model T it's important to me, one of the reasons 29 00:01:34,209 --> 00:01:36,800 Dr Curtis Saunders: is just the impact it had on American history and 30 00:01:36,830 --> 00:01:40,500 Dr Curtis Saunders: just the auto in general. In addition just to manufacturing 31 00:01:40,500 --> 00:01:43,469 Dr Curtis Saunders: in general, the manufacturing methods behind the Model T, some 32 00:01:43,470 --> 00:01:45,670 Dr Curtis Saunders: of the things that Henry Ford really pioneered with the 33 00:01:45,670 --> 00:01:48,279 Dr Curtis Saunders: car, I was just really fascinated how it had in areas 34 00:01:48,340 --> 00:01:50,700 Dr Curtis Saunders: as well as the impact of car itself had in American culture. 35 00:01:51,610 --> 00:01:54,020 Robert Ross: From what I understand, they made about 15 million and 36 00:01:54,070 --> 00:01:56,410 Robert Ross: they had quite a lifespan. The first one came out 37 00:01:56,410 --> 00:01:57,621 Robert Ross: in 1908, is that right? 38 00:01:57,621 --> 00:01:59,070 Dr Curtis Saunders: Yes, that is correct. 39 00:01:59,260 --> 00:02:02,300 Robert Ross: Kind of wrapped things up by 1927 when by that 40 00:02:02,300 --> 00:02:04,650 Robert Ross: time it was almost as much of an antique as it 41 00:02:04,650 --> 00:02:05,249 Robert Ross: is today. 42 00:02:05,309 --> 00:02:07,990 Dr Curtis Saunders: It's amazing how long the car ran and even through 43 00:02:07,990 --> 00:02:10,959 Dr Curtis Saunders: its cycle while the appearance of the car changed a lot 44 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:13,989 Dr Curtis Saunders: of the underlying mechanical structure while it had some changes it remained 45 00:02:14,549 --> 00:02:17,389 Dr Curtis Saunders: basically the same, the same four cylinder engine, the same two- 46 00:02:17,389 --> 00:02:20,070 Dr Curtis Saunders: speed transmission. The bones of the car really did run 47 00:02:20,260 --> 00:02:20,780 Dr Curtis Saunders: 20 years. 48 00:02:20,780 --> 00:02:23,090 Robert Ross: I remember years and years ago in my former life, 49 00:02:23,090 --> 00:02:26,850 Robert Ross: I worked with the operating engineers at UCLA and we'd have these emergency 50 00:02:26,850 --> 00:02:29,880 Robert Ross: generator rooms. Now UCLA campus was built back in the 51 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:33,850 Robert Ross: 1920s and we actually had an emergency generator that was 52 00:02:33,850 --> 00:02:37,280 Robert Ross: still powered by a Model T engine. This was back 53 00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:40,790 Robert Ross: in the eighties. Imagine that, that old engine was deemed 54 00:02:40,790 --> 00:02:44,620 Robert Ross: reliable enough and competent enough to be working all those 55 00:02:44,620 --> 00:02:46,910 Robert Ross: decades later and I guess it was really Testament to 56 00:02:46,910 --> 00:02:50,929 Robert Ross: the endurance of that particular design. You talk about Henry 57 00:02:50,929 --> 00:02:53,590 Robert Ross: Ford and how the Model T was really the first 58 00:02:53,590 --> 00:02:56,350 Robert Ross: mass produced car, but I almost get the feeling Henry 59 00:02:56,350 --> 00:02:59,669 Robert Ross: could have been making washing machines or vacuum cleaners. In 60 00:02:59,669 --> 00:03:02,609 Robert Ross: a lot of ways the Model T was a test bed 61 00:03:02,609 --> 00:03:04,760 Robert Ross: for the whole production line process. 62 00:03:04,929 --> 00:03:07,869 Dr Curtis Saunders: You're absolutely right. The moving assembly line process was not 63 00:03:07,870 --> 00:03:10,609 Dr Curtis Saunders: unique to Model T's. It's been applied to so many different 64 00:03:10,609 --> 00:03:15,139 Dr Curtis Saunders: types of products from airplanes, trains, cars, like you said household goods, 65 00:03:15,139 --> 00:03:17,859 Dr Curtis Saunders: washing machines, TVs, just the idea of that type of 66 00:03:17,859 --> 00:03:20,040 Dr Curtis Saunders: process. We take it for granted now, but someone had 67 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:21,419 Dr Curtis Saunders: to think of it first and there had to be a 68 00:03:21,419 --> 00:03:24,359 Dr Curtis Saunders: pioneer that and the type of industry that really started this whole thing, 69 00:03:24,450 --> 00:03:27,560 Robert Ross: Not only introducing a whole new way of making things, 70 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:31,040 Robert Ross: it was done so efficiently and relatively inexpensively that it 71 00:03:31,040 --> 00:03:34,299 Robert Ross: gave any American with a halfway decent paying job the 72 00:03:34,299 --> 00:03:35,839 Robert Ross: opportunity to own a car. 73 00:03:36,050 --> 00:03:38,460 Dr Curtis Saunders: In Ford's heyday he was rolling a car off the 74 00:03:38,460 --> 00:03:40,150 Dr Curtis Saunders: assembly line every 90 seconds. 75 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:42,740 Robert Ross: From what I understand though, maybe you can correct me 76 00:03:42,740 --> 00:03:46,410 Robert Ross: if I'm wrong, the Model T was such a grand 77 00:03:46,410 --> 00:03:50,540 Robert Ross: vision of Henry Ford's that he actually set up manufacturing 78 00:03:50,540 --> 00:03:53,900 Robert Ross: facilities or plants all around the country and even in 79 00:03:53,900 --> 00:03:54,839 Robert Ross: other continents. 80 00:03:54,950 --> 00:03:57,520 Dr Curtis Saunders: He truly believed it was the car for the masses. 81 00:03:57,580 --> 00:03:59,720 Dr Curtis Saunders: I don't think he really viewed it as just something 82 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:01,910 Dr Curtis Saunders: for a specific region or even a specific country or 83 00:04:01,910 --> 00:04:04,520 Dr Curtis Saunders: specific time. He thought he'd really distilled down the essential 84 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:07,060 Dr Curtis Saunders: components of a vehicle and that that's what anyone in 85 00:04:07,060 --> 00:04:07,820 Dr Curtis Saunders: the world would want. 86 00:04:08,380 --> 00:04:11,020 Robert Ross: I guess there was more than just one Model T, everything from 87 00:04:11,150 --> 00:04:14,300 Robert Ross: pickup trucks to delivery vans, they made a whole bunch them, didn't they? 88 00:04:14,839 --> 00:04:18,279 Dr Curtis Saunders: Yes, absolutely. There was various types of cars from two 89 00:04:18,279 --> 00:04:21,159 Dr Curtis Saunders: seaters to four seaters to even enclosed cars and open 90 00:04:21,159 --> 00:04:23,080 Dr Curtis Saunders: cars later. And right, they had a whole line of trucks. 91 00:04:23,080 --> 00:04:25,409 Dr Curtis Saunders: You could even buy a Model T rolling chassis and 92 00:04:25,409 --> 00:04:27,270 Dr Curtis Saunders: build your own body for it. If you didn't like 93 00:04:27,270 --> 00:04:29,130 Dr Curtis Saunders: what Ford was offering, you could just build your own. 94 00:04:29,270 --> 00:04:31,109 Dr Curtis Saunders: You're not even limited to cars. Like you said, the 95 00:04:31,120 --> 00:04:33,320 Dr Curtis Saunders: power plant could just buy the Ford engine, the Ford 96 00:04:33,320 --> 00:04:35,469 Dr Curtis Saunders: power plant and just have all sorts of other applications 97 00:04:36,050 --> 00:04:38,760 Robert Ross: That would make a nice margarita blender, wouldn't it? Just 98 00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:41,029 Robert Ross: about the right amount of horsepower to get that ice 99 00:04:41,029 --> 00:04:44,859 Robert Ross: just, just right. Everybody knows what one looks like, but 100 00:04:44,919 --> 00:04:48,830 Robert Ross: I suspect most people don't really understand what it takes 101 00:04:48,830 --> 00:04:51,680 Robert Ross: to make one move. It's got a little engine. What 102 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:53,729 Robert Ross: is it like a three liter inline four or something like that? 103 00:04:54,250 --> 00:04:56,669 Dr Curtis Saunders: It's a little inline four and it has a two 104 00:04:56,669 --> 00:04:57,749 Dr Curtis Saunders: speed transmission. 105 00:04:57,750 --> 00:05:00,289 Robert Ross: What's the horsepower output on that engine? What do you figure? 106 00:05:00,289 --> 00:05:03,239 Dr Curtis Saunders: It was rated at 22 and a half horsepower. 107 00:05:03,370 --> 00:05:03,710 Robert Ross: Wow, okay. 108 00:05:03,711 --> 00:05:08,400 Dr Curtis Saunders: So there's a lot of lawnmowers today. You can buy it a riding mower from a hardware 109 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:10,050 Dr Curtis Saunders: store that has more horsepower than this little Model T. 110 00:05:11,240 --> 00:05:13,239 Robert Ross: You look at a car today and you look at it a little Model 111 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:15,900 Robert Ross: T and it's the difference between chalk and cheese. We take so 112 00:05:15,900 --> 00:05:18,500 Robert Ross: many darn things for granted. The first thing we take 113 00:05:18,500 --> 00:05:20,409 Robert Ross: for granted is just being able to put a key 114 00:05:20,409 --> 00:05:23,200 Robert Ross: in the ignition and start at or these days, walk 115 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:25,659 Robert Ross: to the car and press a button. Back then you had 116 00:05:25,860 --> 00:05:28,750 Robert Ross: to get out and crank and as I understand it 117 00:05:28,750 --> 00:05:32,279 Robert Ross: wasn't until 1912, the Cadillac introduced an electric starter. When 118 00:05:32,279 --> 00:05:34,310 Robert Ross: did the Model T get a starter motor? 119 00:05:34,310 --> 00:05:37,469 Dr Curtis Saunders: The Model T got an electric start in 1919. 120 00:05:37,630 --> 00:05:39,789 Robert Ross: Other stuff that you don't think about, what if I'm 121 00:05:39,789 --> 00:05:42,599 Robert Ross: driving at night? People had lanterns. Didn't these things have 122 00:05:42,599 --> 00:05:44,310 Robert Ross: acetylene lanterns or something on them? 123 00:05:44,729 --> 00:05:48,849 Dr Curtis Saunders: Yes, acetylene lanterns and then oil side lamps, oil marker lights 124 00:05:48,849 --> 00:05:50,870 Dr Curtis Saunders: for the side. Driving at night wasn't just a matter 125 00:05:50,870 --> 00:05:51,839 Dr Curtis Saunders: of turning your lights on. 126 00:05:51,890 --> 00:05:53,640 Robert Ross: What do you have to do? Take us through the process. 127 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:55,349 Robert Ross: You've got these acetylene, do you like blow your head 128 00:05:55,349 --> 00:05:58,140 Robert Ross: off like coyote in the roadrunner cartoon or is this 129 00:05:58,140 --> 00:05:58,750 Robert Ross: stuff safe? 130 00:05:58,779 --> 00:06:01,739 Dr Curtis Saunders: It's safe. They had to be careful. It's a flammable gas, but first you 131 00:06:01,740 --> 00:06:04,379 Dr Curtis Saunders: have to generate the acetylene gas. So their cars have a 132 00:06:04,380 --> 00:06:07,679 Dr Curtis Saunders: little acetylene generator on the running board and it's basically 133 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:10,430 Dr Curtis Saunders: a tank of water and below that is some calcium 134 00:06:10,430 --> 00:06:12,339 Dr Curtis Saunders: carbide rock that you would put in and you have a 135 00:06:12,339 --> 00:06:15,700 Dr Curtis Saunders: little needle valve and the water drips onto the rock. 136 00:06:15,870 --> 00:06:18,520 Robert Ross: Sounds like you're setting up an execution in a gas chamber, [ 137 00:06:18,620 --> 00:06:18,830 Robert Ross: inaudible 00:00:06:20]. 138 00:06:18,830 --> 00:06:22,919 Dr Curtis Saunders: You had to have a little chemistry experiment right on the running board there. 139 00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:23,520 Robert Ross: That's awesome. 140 00:06:23,859 --> 00:06:25,909 Dr Curtis Saunders: It runs for a while to build up gas pressure 141 00:06:25,909 --> 00:06:28,450 Dr Curtis Saunders: and then the gas is piped to the two headlights 142 00:06:28,510 --> 00:06:30,460 Dr Curtis Saunders: and then at some point when the gas is flowing, you 143 00:06:30,460 --> 00:06:32,659 Dr Curtis Saunders: light a match and that's how you let your headlights. You 144 00:06:32,659 --> 00:06:34,729 Dr Curtis Saunders: can control the valve and the flow of the gas 145 00:06:34,729 --> 00:06:36,859 Dr Curtis Saunders: a little bit to make them slightly brighter and dimmer, but 146 00:06:36,859 --> 00:06:38,480 Dr Curtis Saunders: in general what they are is what they are 147 00:06:38,589 --> 00:06:41,710 Robert Ross: I'm fascinated, that's great. And guess what? We haven't even 148 00:06:41,710 --> 00:06:44,549 Robert Ross: put it in first gear. First of all, I'm confused man. 149 00:06:44,680 --> 00:06:46,900 Robert Ross: There are three pedals in this thing and not like the 150 00:06:46,900 --> 00:06:49,400 Robert Ross: three pedals we have at our manual cars today. How 151 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:51,529 Robert Ross: do you drive it? Set us behind the wheel and 152 00:06:51,529 --> 00:06:52,569 Robert Ross: take us on a drive. 153 00:06:52,570 --> 00:06:54,349 Dr Curtis Saunders: So when you're sitting in the driver's seat, you'll notice 154 00:06:54,359 --> 00:06:57,650 Dr Curtis Saunders: three pedals. The left one is labeled clutch, the middle 155 00:06:57,650 --> 00:07:00,500 Dr Curtis Saunders: one is reverse and the one on the far right 156 00:07:00,500 --> 00:07:03,380 Dr Curtis Saunders: is brake and then on the steering wheel, there's two 157 00:07:03,380 --> 00:07:05,289 Dr Curtis Saunders: different levers, one on the left and one on the 158 00:07:05,289 --> 00:07:07,760 Dr Curtis Saunders: right. On your dashboard, you do have a key and 159 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:10,119 Dr Curtis Saunders: on the far side, you have a little needle vial, a 160 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:12,309 Dr Curtis Saunders: little rod to a needle vial, and these are all things 161 00:07:12,310 --> 00:07:14,630 Dr Curtis Saunders: you need to adjust to get the car started and running. 162 00:07:14,930 --> 00:07:20,431 Robert Ross: I've already crashed, I can't manage that many things. It's like being an octopus on a drum kit. How do you learn this? What do you do first? 163 00:07:20,431 --> 00:07:22,910 Dr Curtis Saunders: The first thing that you do is you turn the key 164 00:07:22,910 --> 00:07:25,150 Dr Curtis Saunders: to on, but that doesn't start the car. That's just 165 00:07:25,150 --> 00:07:28,090 Dr Curtis Saunders: sends the ignition, there's a little battery in the car. So that sends 166 00:07:28,250 --> 00:07:30,369 Dr Curtis Saunders: the spark to the spark plug basically, and then you 167 00:07:30,370 --> 00:07:32,809 Dr Curtis Saunders: put the lever on the far left, that's the spark 168 00:07:32,900 --> 00:07:36,040 Dr Curtis Saunders: that controls the timing sequence when the spark plug fires 169 00:07:36,100 --> 00:07:37,970 Dr Curtis Saunders: to where the piston is in the cylinder. So you 170 00:07:37,970 --> 00:07:39,390 Dr Curtis Saunders: put that all the way up to have it fire 171 00:07:39,390 --> 00:07:42,530 Dr Curtis Saunders: later and that's where people would normally have backfires and 172 00:07:42,530 --> 00:07:45,070 Dr Curtis Saunders: issues with the crank spinning around and breaking their arm 173 00:07:45,070 --> 00:07:47,260 Dr Curtis Saunders: is the ignition will be too far advanced. So you 174 00:07:47,260 --> 00:07:49,300 Dr Curtis Saunders: put the left lever up, which is the spark. You 175 00:07:49,300 --> 00:07:52,070 Dr Curtis Saunders: put the throttle a little bit down. He's on on. 176 00:07:52,140 --> 00:07:54,500 Dr Curtis Saunders: There's a little needle valve on the dashboard. You have 177 00:07:54,690 --> 00:07:56,809 Dr Curtis Saunders: a turn and a half open. That controls the fuel 178 00:07:56,810 --> 00:07:58,900 Dr Curtis Saunders: air mixture and the carburetor. Now you make sure the 179 00:07:58,900 --> 00:08:00,950 Dr Curtis Saunders: parking brake is set to on. These are all things 180 00:08:00,950 --> 00:08:02,790 Dr Curtis Saunders: you need to before for the car will even start. 181 00:08:02,790 --> 00:08:03,761 Robert Ross: So I take it all back. You really do have to be a PhD. 182 00:08:03,761 --> 00:08:07,179 Dr Curtis Saunders: Do not worry about it being stolen, I'll tell you that. 183 00:08:08,290 --> 00:08:09,280 Robert Ross: Well let me ask you, are these things reliable? 184 00:08:09,281 --> 00:08:12,970 Dr Curtis Saunders: Absolutely, they were very reliable. They're just so simple. It's 185 00:08:12,970 --> 00:08:15,900 Dr Curtis Saunders: just a very simple car. There's very few moving parts 186 00:08:15,950 --> 00:08:19,540 Dr Curtis Saunders: and the tolerances are in general a lot laxer than the 187 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:22,270 Dr Curtis Saunders: modern challenges we have for engines. So even if some 188 00:08:22,270 --> 00:08:24,489 Dr Curtis Saunders: things break on it, in general it can keep running. 189 00:08:24,590 --> 00:08:26,330 Dr Curtis Saunders: Things can be pretty far out of spec for this 190 00:08:26,330 --> 00:08:28,030 Dr Curtis Saunders: car to run. It might not run well, but it 191 00:08:28,030 --> 00:08:28,530 Dr Curtis Saunders: will run. 192 00:08:28,790 --> 00:08:30,570 Robert Ross: It might be blowing a quart of oil every two 193 00:08:30,570 --> 00:08:31,280 Robert Ross: blocks, but- 194 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:31,900 Dr Curtis Saunders: But it's running. 195 00:08:31,980 --> 00:08:35,030 Robert Ross: What about stopping? Do they have anything for brakes or do you have to be Fred Flinstone? 196 00:08:35,250 --> 00:08:37,410 Dr Curtis Saunders: You basically have to be Fred Flinstone with this car. 197 00:08:37,410 --> 00:08:39,209 Dr Curtis Saunders: It does have a brake. There's just a single drum 198 00:08:39,209 --> 00:08:41,510 Dr Curtis Saunders: on the transmission and you have a band which has 199 00:08:41,510 --> 00:08:43,670 Dr Curtis Saunders: some treated cotton on it. When you push the brake 200 00:08:43,670 --> 00:08:45,699 Dr Curtis Saunders: pedal, it just kind of clamps down on the drum 201 00:08:45,770 --> 00:08:47,870 Dr Curtis Saunders: and then the friction between those is what slows your 202 00:08:47,870 --> 00:08:49,929 Dr Curtis Saunders: car. It does not even, drum brakes on the four 203 00:08:49,929 --> 00:08:52,260 Dr Curtis Saunders: wheels are just brakes. It's just a single drum on 204 00:08:52,260 --> 00:08:52,979 Dr Curtis Saunders: the transmission. 205 00:08:53,620 --> 00:08:55,390 Robert Ross: Cotton like fabric for a brake? 206 00:08:55,590 --> 00:08:58,150 Dr Curtis Saunders: Yes, but Ford actually advertised that as a feature in 207 00:08:58,150 --> 00:09:00,790 Dr Curtis Saunders: the car because the brake drum was inside the transmission. 208 00:09:00,790 --> 00:09:03,240 Dr Curtis Saunders: So he described it as the car would stop the same, whether 209 00:09:03,240 --> 00:09:05,410 Dr Curtis Saunders: it was wet or dry. Other cars had these treated 210 00:09:05,410 --> 00:09:07,859 Dr Curtis Saunders: cotton bands around the drum as well, but it wasn't enclosed in the 211 00:09:07,860 --> 00:09:10,189 Dr Curtis Saunders: transmission. So if it was wet out or grimy, you 212 00:09:10,189 --> 00:09:11,570 Dr Curtis Saunders: might have reduced clamping power, so. 213 00:09:11,570 --> 00:09:14,650 Robert Ross: This is truly awesome, stuff that we don't even think about. 214 00:09:14,750 --> 00:09:17,699 Robert Ross: Let's talk numbers. How fast does it go? How fast 215 00:09:17,699 --> 00:09:18,371 Robert Ross: do you drive this thing? 216 00:09:18,371 --> 00:09:21,699 Dr Curtis Saunders: The 1814s didn't come with the speedometer. That was not a 217 00:09:21,699 --> 00:09:23,709 Dr Curtis Saunders: standard thing. So a lot of my speeds are guessed. 218 00:09:23,730 --> 00:09:25,929 Dr Curtis Saunders: I feel like a GPS on there sometimes though to 219 00:09:25,929 --> 00:09:29,020 Dr Curtis Saunders: get an idea and I'd say mine cruises about 35, 40 220 00:09:29,020 --> 00:09:29,780 Dr Curtis Saunders: miles an hour. 221 00:09:30,059 --> 00:09:30,690 Robert Ross: Sounds perfect. 222 00:09:30,980 --> 00:09:33,870 Dr Curtis Saunders: You can go faster, but the wheels aren't balanced. It 223 00:09:33,870 --> 00:09:36,079 Dr Curtis Saunders: still has its original brake. So it gets harder to 224 00:09:36,079 --> 00:09:38,730 Dr Curtis Saunders: stop and harder to control at the faster speed. So 35 to 225 00:09:38,730 --> 00:09:40,780 Dr Curtis Saunders: 40 is good for cruising. No, it only has two 226 00:09:40,780 --> 00:09:43,160 Dr Curtis Saunders: gears. So it really does not like going uphill. They 227 00:09:43,160 --> 00:09:44,710 Dr Curtis Saunders: really would love a third gear when it goes up a hill. 228 00:09:44,710 --> 00:09:48,359 Robert Ross: Well I guess that's what a passenger's for, to get out and push, huh? How many 229 00:09:49,140 --> 00:09:50,059 Robert Ross: people fit inside that thing? 230 00:09:50,209 --> 00:09:52,990 Dr Curtis Saunders: Mine's a touring cars, so it's a front and rear seat and 231 00:09:52,990 --> 00:09:55,100 Dr Curtis Saunders: it will comfortably fit two in the front, two in 232 00:09:55,100 --> 00:09:57,170 Dr Curtis Saunders: the back. You can squeeze three adults in the back. 233 00:09:57,260 --> 00:09:59,390 Dr Curtis Saunders: You can have people standing on the running boards I 234 00:09:59,390 --> 00:10:01,120 Dr Curtis Saunders: suppose if you wanted to add more, but I would 235 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:02,390 Dr Curtis Saunders: say four to five comfortably. 236 00:10:02,589 --> 00:10:04,339 Robert Ross: I'm sure that poor little motor is going to be 237 00:10:04,339 --> 00:10:06,980 Robert Ross: straining if you get more than five big frat guys in there? 238 00:10:07,370 --> 00:10:09,860 Dr Curtis Saunders: The car will definitely tell you when you're hauling passengers 239 00:10:09,860 --> 00:10:11,699 Dr Curtis Saunders: versus when you're just taking it out or a drive 240 00:10:11,699 --> 00:10:12,219 Dr Curtis Saunders: by yourself. 241 00:10:12,350 --> 00:10:14,780 Robert Ross: Well they can't weigh much, probably a 1500 pound guard? 242 00:10:14,780 --> 00:10:16,929 Dr Curtis Saunders: They're very light, it's wood and metal. It doesn't have 243 00:10:16,929 --> 00:10:19,369 Dr Curtis Saunders: all the features and all the extra reinforcing that a 244 00:10:19,370 --> 00:10:21,780 Dr Curtis Saunders: modern car would have. It's just a wood carriage body 245 00:10:21,819 --> 00:10:23,699 Dr Curtis Saunders: covered in sheet metal, put on top of a light 246 00:10:23,699 --> 00:10:24,390 Dr Curtis Saunders: duty frame. 247 00:10:24,449 --> 00:10:25,270 Robert Ross: Your car have a name? 248 00:10:25,270 --> 00:10:27,610 Dr Curtis Saunders: It does not actually, because I only have one Model 249 00:10:27,610 --> 00:10:28,920 Dr Curtis Saunders: T I just call it the Model T. 250 00:10:29,300 --> 00:10:30,860 Robert Ross: They used to call them a Tin Lizzie and there 251 00:10:30,860 --> 00:10:33,330 Robert Ross: was a lot of question about where that name came from. 252 00:10:33,550 --> 00:10:34,121 Dr Curtis Saunders: Tin Lizzie, yes. 253 00:10:34,121 --> 00:10:36,920 Robert Ross: What did they do for gasoline back then? Did they have 254 00:10:37,199 --> 00:10:39,340 Robert Ross: gas stations like we have today? 255 00:10:39,490 --> 00:10:42,420 Dr Curtis Saunders: So they did. Early on gasoline was one of the 256 00:10:42,420 --> 00:10:45,429 Dr Curtis Saunders: byproducts that will come about when trying to refine for 257 00:10:45,429 --> 00:10:49,150 Dr Curtis Saunders: kerosene because everyone had kerosene and oil lamps and gas was just 258 00:10:50,179 --> 00:10:52,679 Dr Curtis Saunders: this byproduct that came through their refining process they didn't 259 00:10:52,679 --> 00:10:55,209 Dr Curtis Saunders: really know what to do with. So they're already producing gasoline before 260 00:10:55,209 --> 00:10:57,640 Dr Curtis Saunders: they really had a big market for it. 261 00:10:57,640 --> 00:11:00,110 Robert Ross: No kidding, so it's like all dressed up and nowhere to go. 262 00:11:00,110 --> 00:11:02,660 Robert Ross: We got this stuff, now we have to figure out what we can 263 00:11:02,660 --> 00:11:03,410 Robert Ross: use it for. 264 00:11:03,490 --> 00:11:06,800 Dr Curtis Saunders: Yeah, exactly. When refining first started, people mainly want kerosenes, 265 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:09,830 Dr Curtis Saunders: they weren't producing it, but you had to build up your gas station infrastructure and you 266 00:11:09,910 --> 00:11:11,959 Dr Curtis Saunders: had the old glass pumps that people see in the 267 00:11:11,959 --> 00:11:15,290 Dr Curtis Saunders: small underground tanks, but that was definitely a major challenge 268 00:11:15,290 --> 00:11:16,880 Dr Curtis Saunders: is you have this car now, but now you need 269 00:11:16,880 --> 00:11:18,790 Dr Curtis Saunders: to build up this infrastructure to fuel it. 270 00:11:18,819 --> 00:11:20,920 Robert Ross: What did they do for electrical system? I know the 271 00:11:20,920 --> 00:11:23,469 Robert Ross: original Model T's didn't have batteries at all and I'm 272 00:11:23,469 --> 00:11:25,280 Robert Ross: sure yours has got an electrical system in it, is that right? 273 00:11:25,969 --> 00:11:28,579 Dr Curtis Saunders: Mine has a 12 volt battery under the rear seat and 274 00:11:28,990 --> 00:11:31,770 Dr Curtis Saunders: that basically just fires the four spake plugs. When you're 275 00:11:31,770 --> 00:11:34,249 Dr Curtis Saunders: starting the car, it switches to battery, but they also had a 276 00:11:34,250 --> 00:11:37,459 Dr Curtis Saunders: magneto. It's an eight or nine volt magneto, which can 277 00:11:37,459 --> 00:11:40,290 Dr Curtis Saunders: generate its own electricity. I start the car on battery 278 00:11:40,290 --> 00:11:41,860 Dr Curtis Saunders: and then once it's running, I switch it over to 279 00:11:41,860 --> 00:11:44,979 Dr Curtis Saunders: magneto and the car is producing its own electricity, but the 280 00:11:45,130 --> 00:11:47,439 Dr Curtis Saunders: entire wiring harness is the wire that goes from the 281 00:11:47,439 --> 00:11:49,920 Dr Curtis Saunders: battery to the ignition switch, the four wires that go 282 00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:50,790 Dr Curtis Saunders: to the spark plugs. 283 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:54,699 Robert Ross: That is every mechanic's dream. Instead of trying to untangle 284 00:11:54,699 --> 00:11:56,899 Robert Ross: a rat's nest, the stuff. You work on some of 285 00:11:56,900 --> 00:12:00,020 Robert Ross: these old Italian cars and that harness is so snake bit. 286 00:12:00,069 --> 00:12:03,160 Robert Ross: One wire starts out red and it ends up being green. 287 00:12:03,689 --> 00:12:06,040 Dr Curtis Saunders: The wires of course have all been replaced, but I don't think it's given 288 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:09,300 Dr Curtis Saunders: me any electrical issues. One of the interesting things about 289 00:12:09,350 --> 00:12:11,699 Dr Curtis Saunders: the electrical system on this car is, (inaudible) car is 290 00:12:11,699 --> 00:12:14,639 Dr Curtis Saunders: actually coming full circle with this is each spark has its own 291 00:12:14,929 --> 00:12:17,469 Dr Curtis Saunders: ignition coil. Instead of a single coil with a distributor 292 00:12:17,469 --> 00:12:22,309 Dr Curtis Saunders: which distributes it out. In my case, there's four different ignition coils. Each has its own spark 293 00:12:22,309 --> 00:12:23,619 Dr Curtis Saunders: plug and they sit on the dashboard. 294 00:12:23,709 --> 00:12:26,019 Robert Ross: That's positively modern, it's 21st century. 295 00:12:26,429 --> 00:12:28,949 Dr Curtis Saunders: Yeah, exactly. We now have half of the coil packs, now they're going 296 00:12:28,949 --> 00:12:31,109 Dr Curtis Saunders: back to that for the spark plugs. It come full 297 00:12:31,110 --> 00:12:33,110 Dr Curtis Saunders: circle and actually I had a coil go bad while I 298 00:12:33,130 --> 00:12:35,650 Dr Curtis Saunders: was driving. It was actually when I was on a tour with 299 00:12:35,650 --> 00:12:38,239 Dr Curtis Saunders: a bunch of Model T's. The car just started running rough 300 00:12:38,240 --> 00:12:40,249 Dr Curtis Saunders: and it didn't have the power and one of the club members looked, " 301 00:12:40,280 --> 00:12:42,709 Dr Curtis Saunders: Oh, one of the coils went bad." That happens, just switched 302 00:12:42,709 --> 00:12:44,309 Dr Curtis Saunders: out and put in another one. They said, " You can do 303 00:12:44,309 --> 00:12:46,309 Dr Curtis Saunders: that while driving too, that's happened to us. " Because it's 304 00:12:46,309 --> 00:12:48,160 Dr Curtis Saunders: right there on the dashboards. You just pop the coil 305 00:12:48,160 --> 00:12:49,610 Dr Curtis Saunders: out pop a new one in and they keep going. 306 00:12:49,679 --> 00:12:51,590 Robert Ross: Boy, what a whole different world. 307 00:12:51,590 --> 00:12:54,240 Dr Curtis Saunders: It's just so simple that things can go wrong, but the 308 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:56,939 Dr Curtis Saunders: car will still run. It's a very forgiving car. I 309 00:12:56,939 --> 00:12:59,219 Dr Curtis Saunders: joke out of all of my cars is the most reliable. 310 00:12:59,540 --> 00:13:01,760 Robert Ross: That's great. We're going to take a short break, but 311 00:13:01,760 --> 00:13:02,740 Robert Ross: we'll be right back. 312 00:13:05,660 --> 00:13:09,599 Automatic Voice: Welcome to Life Done Better. Listen to the weekly episodes 313 00:13:09,599 --> 00:13:12,890 Automatic Voice: where super model and health coach, Jill De Young talks 314 00:13:12,890 --> 00:13:17,000 Automatic Voice: to some of the world's most inspiring women in health and wellness. 315 00:13:17,559 --> 00:13:21,280 Automatic Voice: It's the place for all the unicorns who strive to 316 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:24,809 Automatic Voice: create a life on their own terms join us to 317 00:13:24,809 --> 00:13:30,689 Automatic Voice: explore, discover and create a life done better, together. Listen 318 00:13:30,689 --> 00:13:35,219 Automatic Voice: and subscribe from CurtCo Media, media for your mind. 319 00:13:37,770 --> 00:13:40,599 Robert Ross: We're back with Curtis Saunders. Curtis, tell us your story 320 00:13:40,599 --> 00:13:41,709 Robert Ross: and tell us about your car. 321 00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:46,139 Automatic Voice: My uncle bought a 1914 Ford Model T in 1968. 322 00:13:46,140 --> 00:13:47,879 Automatic Voice: It didn't run. So we would go and sit in it 323 00:13:48,050 --> 00:13:49,550 Automatic Voice: and play with it. We'd play with the levers and 324 00:13:49,610 --> 00:13:51,780 Automatic Voice: the pedals and the steering wheel. So I really, even from 325 00:13:51,780 --> 00:13:53,640 Automatic Voice: a young age, I grew up playing with this car 326 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:55,569 Automatic Voice: that sat in the garage. And then when I was 327 00:13:55,569 --> 00:13:58,369 Automatic Voice: in high school, it was summer of 2004, my best 328 00:13:58,370 --> 00:14:00,739 Automatic Voice: friend Pete and I, he kept nagging me to get 329 00:14:00,740 --> 00:14:03,140 Automatic Voice: the car out. "You've got this great car in your garage and 330 00:14:03,140 --> 00:14:04,809 Automatic Voice: your uncle has this car. You really need to get 331 00:14:04,809 --> 00:14:06,709 Automatic Voice: it out and drive it." So I was like, " Oh, you're absolutely right," 332 00:14:06,819 --> 00:14:08,709 Automatic Voice: and here we are high schoolers and we have learners 333 00:14:08,709 --> 00:14:10,840 Automatic Voice: permits, so we're all excited. We got the car out and then 334 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:13,020 Automatic Voice: pushed it around the block to a garage where I could 335 00:14:13,020 --> 00:14:15,370 Automatic Voice: work on it. At first, we vacuumed it and cleaned it up 336 00:14:15,370 --> 00:14:17,040 Automatic Voice: and then we had it pushed around the block and 337 00:14:17,040 --> 00:14:18,880 Automatic Voice: in the garage and my uncle got home from work 338 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:20,420 Automatic Voice: and we were like, " Hey, look at this great thing. We're 339 00:14:20,570 --> 00:14:22,529 Automatic Voice: going to get it running," and he was all excited. He was like, " 340 00:14:22,540 --> 00:14:24,580 Automatic Voice: Oh yeah, that's great." And so we spent a few 341 00:14:24,580 --> 00:14:27,320 Automatic Voice: days working on it and then summer of 2004, it 342 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:29,970 Automatic Voice: finally fired right up. There's a plume of blue smoke 343 00:14:29,970 --> 00:14:32,130 Automatic Voice: that engulfed us. We had poured oil in the four 344 00:14:32,130 --> 00:14:34,320 Automatic Voice: cylinders to try to keep everything lubricated as we were 345 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:36,320 Automatic Voice: starting it, but of course all this oil burned off 346 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:38,050 Automatic Voice: as soon as it started running, so we were just 347 00:14:38,050 --> 00:14:40,300 Automatic Voice: engulfed in this plume of smoke as this thing started. 348 00:14:40,300 --> 00:14:42,690 Robert Ross: What a great science experiment, I love it. You're a 349 00:14:42,700 --> 00:14:46,509 Robert Ross: young guy. For anyone under 60 to have an interest 350 00:14:46,510 --> 00:14:49,019 Robert Ross: in these cars is probably a bit of an anomaly 351 00:14:49,020 --> 00:14:52,270 Robert Ross: and I think that's fascinating, clearly the connection then was 352 00:14:52,270 --> 00:14:54,749 Robert Ross: not just the mechanical one, but maybe something a little 353 00:14:54,750 --> 00:14:55,479 Robert Ross: more personal. 354 00:14:55,479 --> 00:14:57,890 Dr Curtis Saunders: Absolutely. I grew up hearing stories that my uncle told 355 00:14:57,890 --> 00:14:59,379 Dr Curtis Saunders: me when he had done work on it and had 356 00:14:59,380 --> 00:15:01,390 Dr Curtis Saunders: driven it when he was younger. He drove it for 357 00:15:01,390 --> 00:15:04,800 Dr Curtis Saunders: about 10 years from 1968 to the late seventies where it 358 00:15:04,800 --> 00:15:07,090 Dr Curtis Saunders: was parked. So yeah, having this great car in my backyard 359 00:15:07,140 --> 00:15:09,159 Dr Curtis Saunders: and hearing all these fun stories about it from him 360 00:15:09,229 --> 00:15:11,350 Dr Curtis Saunders: and the work he did really peaked my interest and 361 00:15:11,350 --> 00:15:12,859 Dr Curtis Saunders: then getting it running and then he and I would 362 00:15:12,860 --> 00:15:15,610 Dr Curtis Saunders: drive it and work on it and just swap stories about 363 00:15:15,610 --> 00:15:16,769 Dr Curtis Saunders: the projects we were doing, 364 00:15:16,870 --> 00:15:19,810 Robert Ross: Everybody jokes about what Henry Ford told his customers, " You can 365 00:15:19,810 --> 00:15:21,830 Robert Ross: have any color as long as it's black." Am I 366 00:15:21,830 --> 00:15:23,531 Robert Ross: to assume yours is an old black Model T? 367 00:15:23,531 --> 00:15:25,879 Dr Curtis Saunders: It is an old black Model T, yes. 368 00:15:25,880 --> 00:15:27,740 Robert Ross: They look good in that color and let's talk about 369 00:15:27,860 --> 00:15:30,560 Robert Ross: the car itself then and your restoration work. Obviously you 370 00:15:30,560 --> 00:15:32,900 Robert Ross: had to completely recommission this. How have you approached it? Is 371 00:15:33,070 --> 00:15:36,290 Robert Ross: it more of a sympathetic restoration or is it a showroom 372 00:15:36,530 --> 00:15:37,729 Robert Ross: deal or what was your approach? 373 00:15:37,800 --> 00:15:40,300 Dr Curtis Saunders: Out of necessity, when I first started working on it, 374 00:15:40,300 --> 00:15:43,620 Dr Curtis Saunders: I really didn't do bodywork. So doing a complete taking 375 00:15:43,620 --> 00:15:45,850 Dr Curtis Saunders: it apart and repainting was off the table and it was also 376 00:15:45,850 --> 00:15:47,430 Dr Curtis Saunders: the paint was in pretty good shape from when it 377 00:15:47,430 --> 00:15:50,640 Dr Curtis Saunders: was restored. I really approached it as a mechanical restoration 378 00:15:50,640 --> 00:15:52,229 Dr Curtis Saunders: to do what I needed to to get the car 379 00:15:52,229 --> 00:15:55,430 Dr Curtis Saunders: to run safely and reliably, but also keep it mostly 380 00:15:55,430 --> 00:15:57,930 Dr Curtis Saunders: original as I could. So I definitely haven't added a 381 00:15:57,930 --> 00:15:59,650 Dr Curtis Saunders: whole lot of features or upgrades to the car. I 382 00:15:59,650 --> 00:16:02,270 Dr Curtis Saunders: really wanted the car to be the technology it was 383 00:16:02,270 --> 00:16:04,710 Dr Curtis Saunders: in 1914, but at some point you have to make 384 00:16:04,710 --> 00:16:06,080 Dr Curtis Saunders: a guess as to what might've been on it. 385 00:16:06,130 --> 00:16:08,450 Robert Ross: Is there such a thing as original engines in the 386 00:16:08,450 --> 00:16:11,270 Robert Ross: Model T community or I guess the engines don't blow up though? 387 00:16:11,330 --> 00:16:13,729 Dr Curtis Saunders: The engine is original as I can say. The serial 388 00:16:13,729 --> 00:16:16,899 Dr Curtis Saunders: number on the block dates to July of 1914 and 389 00:16:16,900 --> 00:16:20,340 Dr Curtis Saunders: the body also has the components of a 1914. So I 390 00:16:20,340 --> 00:16:22,370 Dr Curtis Saunders: can say it's a 1914, but it's not like a 391 00:16:22,370 --> 00:16:24,490 Dr Curtis Saunders: modern car where you have a VIN on the engine 392 00:16:24,490 --> 00:16:26,850 Dr Curtis Saunders: block which matches the frame. So it really can't go to 393 00:16:26,850 --> 00:16:29,270 Dr Curtis Saunders: that detail, but it is as far as the Model T community goes, 394 00:16:29,270 --> 00:16:32,030 Dr Curtis Saunders: it's a 1914 engine. When I was in high school, the 395 00:16:32,030 --> 00:16:35,470 Dr Curtis Saunders: other hobby I had was actually volunteering at some local 396 00:16:35,470 --> 00:16:39,630 Dr Curtis Saunders: state parks with old forts, like a Seacoast defense fortifications 397 00:16:39,630 --> 00:16:42,359 Dr Curtis Saunders: from the Civil War after World War II and so we 398 00:16:42,359 --> 00:16:45,700 Dr Curtis Saunders: would take the Model T to Portsmouth, New Jersey and 399 00:16:45,700 --> 00:16:48,499 Dr Curtis Saunders: Pennsylvania, New Jersey across the Delaware river. And we have World War 400 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:52,040 Dr Curtis Saunders: I uniforms. [ Horse shack 00:00:16:50] and World War I would not probably have been 401 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:54,359 Dr Curtis Saunders: uncommon to see a Model T driving around the fort. 402 00:16:54,359 --> 00:16:56,580 Dr Curtis Saunders: So it was just really popular for people too because it 403 00:16:56,720 --> 00:16:59,140 Dr Curtis Saunders: just gave them another aspect of the history of the 404 00:16:59,140 --> 00:17:01,479 Dr Curtis Saunders: area to see the car running and driving and just 405 00:17:01,479 --> 00:17:02,370 Dr Curtis Saunders: moving all around. 406 00:17:02,370 --> 00:17:04,119 Robert Ross: I have to plug one of my favorite places in 407 00:17:04,119 --> 00:17:08,790 Robert Ross: the world and that's the Henry Ford museum in Dearborn, but especially 408 00:17:08,859 --> 00:17:13,639 Robert Ross: Greenfield village and to visit Greenfield Village and understand what 409 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:18,020 Robert Ross: Henry Ford and his cohorts, Thomas Edison and all those 410 00:17:18,020 --> 00:17:20,790 Robert Ross: guys, the Wright brothers, all the great inventors of the 411 00:17:20,790 --> 00:17:23,450 Robert Ross: era did. And to be able to actually live it 412 00:17:23,530 --> 00:17:27,199 Robert Ross: in a small town environment that was created in Greenfield 413 00:17:27,200 --> 00:17:30,980 Robert Ross: Village, I would say that it's literally a Disneyland for 414 00:17:30,980 --> 00:17:34,570 Robert Ross: kids and adults who are interested in American history and 415 00:17:34,570 --> 00:17:38,639 Robert Ross: the invention of some of the fundamental machines and concepts 416 00:17:38,639 --> 00:17:39,609 Robert Ross: that built America. 417 00:17:39,680 --> 00:17:41,659 Dr Curtis Saunders: I agree. That's on my bucket list. I have not 418 00:17:41,659 --> 00:17:43,419 Dr Curtis Saunders: been there, but I've read a lot about it. It was 419 00:17:43,419 --> 00:17:46,199 Dr Curtis Saunders: interesting Ford built six brand new Model T's. So at 420 00:17:46,200 --> 00:17:48,060 Dr Curtis Saunders: least several of them are at that village that you 421 00:17:48,060 --> 00:17:50,820 Dr Curtis Saunders: can ride in. Some of the cars they use, they continued 422 00:17:50,820 --> 00:17:53,869 Dr Curtis Saunders: the assembly line and they got subsequent serial numbers after 423 00:17:53,869 --> 00:17:56,500 Dr Curtis Saunders: the last Model T and they built some brand new ones. 424 00:17:56,500 --> 00:17:57,500 Robert Ross: I had no idea. 425 00:17:57,760 --> 00:18:01,080 Dr Curtis Saunders: It's one thing to see the car or learn about history 426 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:03,240 Dr Curtis Saunders: in a museum or in a book, but it's entirely 427 00:18:03,240 --> 00:18:05,490 Dr Curtis Saunders: different to see it like a working museum that's not 428 00:18:05,490 --> 00:18:07,629 Dr Curtis Saunders: just static where you see everything's coming to life. 429 00:18:07,700 --> 00:18:10,210 Robert Ross: Talk about the community for a minute. As I pointed 430 00:18:10,210 --> 00:18:12,540 Robert Ross: out, you're a pretty young guy to have such an 431 00:18:12,540 --> 00:18:15,270 Robert Ross: old car. I know that Model T's and Model A's 432 00:18:15,270 --> 00:18:17,490 Robert Ross: where all the collectible rage back in the fifties and 433 00:18:18,020 --> 00:18:20,609 Robert Ross: sixties, and you don't see many of them around anymore, where 434 00:18:20,609 --> 00:18:22,869 Robert Ross: are they all lurking and who are the owners? 435 00:18:22,919 --> 00:18:24,980 Dr Curtis Saunders: You're right. There was a big rage back in the fifties, sixties that 436 00:18:25,710 --> 00:18:27,830 Dr Curtis Saunders: really launched a lot of the old car hobbies, but 437 00:18:27,830 --> 00:18:30,609 Dr Curtis Saunders: a lot of them are still around. They're just in garages. They 438 00:18:30,609 --> 00:18:33,270 Dr Curtis Saunders: might be in your neighbor's garage. One of the things 439 00:18:33,320 --> 00:18:36,929 Dr Curtis Saunders: that's become harder with Model T's is as general cars 440 00:18:36,929 --> 00:18:39,810 Dr Curtis Saunders: get faster and roads get bigger, it's less and less 441 00:18:39,810 --> 00:18:42,609 Dr Curtis Saunders: safe to take them on main roads. I have to 442 00:18:42,609 --> 00:18:44,820 Dr Curtis Saunders: be very careful in planning routes. One of the benefits 443 00:18:44,820 --> 00:18:47,359 Dr Curtis Saunders: is I really like road cycling. I can find similar 444 00:18:47,359 --> 00:18:50,020 Dr Curtis Saunders: routes for both of my hobbies and then what's popular 445 00:18:50,020 --> 00:18:53,290 Dr Curtis Saunders: goes with different ages of people. As certain generations get 446 00:18:53,290 --> 00:18:56,119 Dr Curtis Saunders: older, they're attracted to certain cars. I am definitely an 447 00:18:56,119 --> 00:18:59,050 Dr Curtis Saunders: anomaly as a 33 year old really being into Model 448 00:18:59,050 --> 00:19:01,619 Dr Curtis Saunders: T's, but I will tell you though, my experience when 449 00:19:01,619 --> 00:19:03,660 Dr Curtis Saunders: I pull up to traffic lights, the Model T's generally 450 00:19:03,810 --> 00:19:06,179 Dr Curtis Saunders: get more honks and ways than a Firebird or something. 451 00:19:06,179 --> 00:19:08,139 Dr Curtis Saunders: It's just people are just amazed to see it still 452 00:19:08,139 --> 00:19:08,649 Dr Curtis Saunders: on the road. 453 00:19:08,980 --> 00:19:11,060 Robert Ross: What about rallies? Do you close yet together and drive 454 00:19:11,060 --> 00:19:12,020 Robert Ross: these things in mass? 455 00:19:12,250 --> 00:19:16,310 Dr Curtis Saunders: Absolutely. So there's national meets, there's local meets, there's local 456 00:19:16,310 --> 00:19:18,909 Dr Curtis Saunders: clubs where you go to a drive in. There's all sorts of 457 00:19:18,909 --> 00:19:21,960 Dr Curtis Saunders: different levels of communities for people wanting to get involved. 458 00:19:21,960 --> 00:19:24,220 Dr Curtis Saunders: Growing up, I was involved in the Delaware Model T 459 00:19:24,220 --> 00:19:26,780 Dr Curtis Saunders: Club. I went on some club tours with them, which was just 460 00:19:26,899 --> 00:19:28,290 Dr Curtis Saunders: a lot of fun to get a group of Model 461 00:19:28,290 --> 00:19:30,590 Dr Curtis Saunders: T owners together. And then of course, I've gone to 462 00:19:30,590 --> 00:19:32,850 Dr Curtis Saunders: some of the shows, Hershey is the big one in 463 00:19:32,850 --> 00:19:35,729 Dr Curtis Saunders: Pennsylvania, it's not too far away. I've been really happy 464 00:19:35,730 --> 00:19:38,220 Dr Curtis Saunders: with the different Model T communities that I've come across 465 00:19:38,220 --> 00:19:40,020 Dr Curtis Saunders: and the different states I've lived in. When I was 466 00:19:40,020 --> 00:19:41,939 Dr Curtis Saunders: growing up in Delaware, that was a really great way 467 00:19:42,010 --> 00:19:43,699 Dr Curtis Saunders: as a kid to see that there was other cars 468 00:19:43,700 --> 00:19:45,669 Dr Curtis Saunders: out there.And that really got me to the next level 469 00:19:45,669 --> 00:19:48,520 Dr Curtis Saunders: of driving it around a few blocks. The first tour 470 00:19:48,520 --> 00:19:50,989 Dr Curtis Saunders: I did with the club, it really got me more comfortable taking it 471 00:19:50,990 --> 00:19:53,760 Dr Curtis Saunders: on longer drives. I got to see that these guys are just taking 472 00:19:53,760 --> 00:19:54,669 Dr Curtis Saunders: them out, they're not worried. 473 00:19:54,669 --> 00:19:57,580 Robert Ross: I know that the guys at Hagerty, the insurance group who 474 00:19:57,659 --> 00:20:00,770 Robert Ross: publish some great magazines and have a lot of enthusiasts 475 00:20:00,840 --> 00:20:02,659 Robert Ross: in their ranks. They had a program a couple of 476 00:20:02,659 --> 00:20:04,850 Robert Ross: years ago where I guess one of their guys fixed 477 00:20:04,850 --> 00:20:07,359 Robert Ross: and drove a Model T across the country. That was 478 00:20:07,359 --> 00:20:09,899 Robert Ross: very inspiring. What's the furthest you've driven your car? 479 00:20:10,129 --> 00:20:14,220 Dr Curtis Saunders: The furthest I've driven the cars across state lines from 480 00:20:14,220 --> 00:20:17,899 Dr Curtis Saunders: Delaware to Maryland. I have trailered the car. The furthest 481 00:20:17,950 --> 00:20:19,999 Dr Curtis Saunders: the car has been is Canada. When I was in 482 00:20:20,000 --> 00:20:22,850 Dr Curtis Saunders: graduate school at the University of Vermont, I had the 483 00:20:22,850 --> 00:20:24,590 Dr Curtis Saunders: car with me in Burlington and a few of my 484 00:20:24,590 --> 00:20:26,749 Dr Curtis Saunders: grad school friends and I, we got in the car and we drove it 485 00:20:26,750 --> 00:20:28,940 Dr Curtis Saunders: up to Canada, so we crossed the border. So the car has 486 00:20:28,940 --> 00:20:30,950 Dr Curtis Saunders: left the country. That was probably the first time in it's 487 00:20:30,990 --> 00:20:33,859 Dr Curtis Saunders: 100 year history that it left the United States. We 488 00:20:33,859 --> 00:20:35,449 Dr Curtis Saunders: not only drove it across the border, we took it 489 00:20:35,450 --> 00:20:37,229 Dr Curtis Saunders: to a drive through a zoo. So we had the 490 00:20:37,230 --> 00:20:40,629 Dr Curtis Saunders: top down and there was camels, elk, and ostriches that 491 00:20:40,629 --> 00:20:42,100 Dr Curtis Saunders: were coming into the car and you could feed them. So we 492 00:20:42,179 --> 00:20:43,989 Dr Curtis Saunders: had a giant bag of carrots and we were just feeding 493 00:20:43,990 --> 00:20:46,409 Dr Curtis Saunders: these animals just from this Model T and of course 494 00:20:46,540 --> 00:20:48,540 Dr Curtis Saunders: everyone else, and they have windows and there's like things 495 00:20:48,540 --> 00:20:50,060 Dr Curtis Saunders: to protect you from the animals. So they were just 496 00:20:50,060 --> 00:20:52,510 Dr Curtis Saunders: right in our laps and it was the most insane thing to 497 00:20:52,510 --> 00:20:53,510 Dr Curtis Saunders: do with an old car. 498 00:20:53,730 --> 00:20:57,940 Robert Ross: Oh, that's incredible. Those ostrich are pretty formidable, they can get in your face. 499 00:20:58,109 --> 00:21:00,280 Dr Curtis Saunders: They were a little aggressive. The camels loved us. They're just so happy. I was like "One of these camels could 500 00:21:02,050 --> 00:21:05,359 Dr Curtis Saunders: just push this car right over if it wanted to." Like " Is this really a good idea?" 501 00:21:07,020 --> 00:21:09,310 Robert Ross: Curtis, that's great. We're going to take a quick break 502 00:21:09,310 --> 00:21:10,250 Robert Ross: and then we'll be right back. 503 00:21:12,510 --> 00:21:16,220 Ad Voice #2: A Moment of Your Time, a new podcast from CurtCo Media. 504 00:21:17,010 --> 00:21:20,140 Speaker 5: Currently 21 years old, and today I'm going to read a poem for you. 505 00:21:20,141 --> 00:21:22,580 Speaker 6: It felt like magic extended from her fingertips down to the base of mine. 506 00:21:22,580 --> 00:21:25,340 Speaker 7: You have to take care of yourself because the world needs you and your work. 507 00:21:25,340 --> 00:21:27,830 Speaker 8: Trust me, every do gooder that asked about me, was ready 508 00:21:27,830 --> 00:21:28,570 Speaker 8: to spit on my dreams. 509 00:21:28,889 --> 00:21:30,430 Speaker 9: Her fingers were facing me. 510 00:21:30,430 --> 00:21:33,241 Speaker 10: You can feel like your purpose and your worth is really being questioned. 511 00:21:33,241 --> 00:21:35,619 Speaker 11: They're going to stop me from playing the piano. 512 00:21:35,619 --> 00:21:38,859 Speaker 12: She buys walkie talkies wonders to whom she should give the second [crosstalk 00:21: 39]. 513 00:21:39,109 --> 00:21:41,889 Speaker 13: Cats don't love humans. We never did. We never will. 514 00:21:41,889 --> 00:21:42,600 Speaker 13: We just find- 515 00:21:42,600 --> 00:21:45,790 Speaker 14: The beauty of rock climbing is that you can only focus on 516 00:21:45,790 --> 00:21:46,481 Speaker 14: what's right in front of you. 517 00:21:46,481 --> 00:21:49,530 Speaker 15: And so our American life begins. 518 00:21:50,560 --> 00:21:53,859 Ad Voice #2: We may need to stay apart, but let's create together. 519 00:21:54,260 --> 00:21:59,239 Ad Voice #2: Available on all podcast platforms. Submit your piece at curtco. com/ amomentofyourtime. 520 00:22:03,899 --> 00:22:06,949 Robert Ross: Welcome back to Cars That Matter. I should've known you 521 00:22:06,950 --> 00:22:10,580 Robert Ross: were a guy who didn't have just one car. Tell 522 00:22:10,580 --> 00:22:12,699 Robert Ross: us about some of the other cars in your garage 523 00:22:12,869 --> 00:22:14,259 Robert Ross: or shall I call them antiques? 524 00:22:14,260 --> 00:22:17,670 Dr Curtis Saunders: They're both, you're absolutely right. Once you have one car and you 525 00:22:17,909 --> 00:22:19,970 Dr Curtis Saunders: really get bit by the old car bug, it's hard 526 00:22:19,970 --> 00:22:22,019 Dr Curtis Saunders: to just stop with the one. Once I got the 527 00:22:22,020 --> 00:22:24,010 Dr Curtis Saunders: car running and we started enjoying it, my uncle was 528 00:22:24,010 --> 00:22:27,000 Dr Curtis Saunders: also really bit by the bug. So there's the 1914 Ford Model 529 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:30,070 Dr Curtis Saunders: T, there is a 1930 Ford Model A. 530 00:22:30,669 --> 00:22:34,899 Robert Ross: Oh, well now the Model A. Okay, stop right there. That was 531 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:37,050 Robert Ross: essentially its successor, is that right? 532 00:22:37,179 --> 00:22:37,600 Dr Curtis Saunders: Yes, it was. 533 00:22:38,409 --> 00:22:40,689 Robert Ross: And damn near as popular as the T. I know 534 00:22:40,689 --> 00:22:44,649 Robert Ross: the Model A was the staple up to probably up 535 00:22:44,649 --> 00:22:45,540 Robert Ross: to World War II. 536 00:22:45,540 --> 00:22:50,679 Dr Curtis Saunders: You can really see the difference in the technologies, even between those 537 00:22:50,679 --> 00:22:53,889 Dr Curtis Saunders: two cars. It really helps that I have an earlier 538 00:22:53,889 --> 00:22:55,950 Dr Curtis Saunders: brass era Model to use because I have a lot 539 00:22:55,950 --> 00:22:59,109 Dr Curtis Saunders: of brass trim on the crank start and acetylene gas 540 00:22:59,109 --> 00:23:01,290 Dr Curtis Saunders: headlights and then you progress to the Model A, which 541 00:23:01,290 --> 00:23:05,869 Dr Curtis Saunders: is electric starter, electric headlights, electric horn. It's an enclosed 542 00:23:05,869 --> 00:23:09,300 Dr Curtis Saunders: car. It has four wheel drum brakes, it has your standard 543 00:23:09,300 --> 00:23:13,139 Dr Curtis Saunders: transmission, the clutch pedal, brake pedal accelerator with your standard 544 00:23:13,139 --> 00:23:16,260 Dr Curtis Saunders: age three speed in reverse transmission, which is becoming much 545 00:23:16,260 --> 00:23:18,510 Dr Curtis Saunders: close to what you would think of as a moderate car. 546 00:23:18,689 --> 00:23:21,040 Dr Curtis Saunders: The sheet metal is a little more styled. 547 00:23:21,119 --> 00:23:23,499 Robert Ross: It actually had a couple little curves in it if 548 00:23:23,500 --> 00:23:24,609 Robert Ross: you look real hard. 549 00:23:25,210 --> 00:23:28,009 Dr Curtis Saunders: It's true, it's true. We started rounding things over. 550 00:23:28,010 --> 00:23:29,811 Robert Ross: What about the engine? What are those, has similar in line four? 551 00:23:29,811 --> 00:23:32,770 Dr Curtis Saunders: Similar in line four, but we're at 40 horsepower now 552 00:23:32,840 --> 00:23:33,820 Dr Curtis Saunders: and a whole extra gear. 553 00:23:34,250 --> 00:23:35,210 Robert Ross: What color is your A? 554 00:23:35,260 --> 00:23:39,249 Dr Curtis Saunders: It's Navy blue with black fenders and yellow wheels? The 555 00:23:39,250 --> 00:23:41,270 Dr Curtis Saunders: color is straw, so straw wheels. 556 00:23:41,270 --> 00:23:45,471 Robert Ross: You're really styler. That's the Brooks Brothers of Model A's, that was a good look. 557 00:23:45,471 --> 00:23:48,350 Dr Curtis Saunders: Instead of brass trim, which has to be polished, it 558 00:23:48,350 --> 00:23:51,050 Dr Curtis Saunders: is stainless steel, so you don't have to do anything at all. 559 00:23:51,100 --> 00:23:52,869 Robert Ross: Well so far, I'd call you a Ford man. What 560 00:23:52,869 --> 00:23:53,369 Robert Ross: else you got? 561 00:23:53,429 --> 00:23:56,200 Dr Curtis Saunders: Also have a 1931 Buick. 562 00:23:56,200 --> 00:23:57,429 Robert Ross: You jumped ship to GM. 563 00:23:57,490 --> 00:23:59,970 Dr Curtis Saunders: The restoration is still in progress. I was working on 564 00:23:59,970 --> 00:24:02,270 Dr Curtis Saunders: that while I was in graduate school. It was a 565 00:24:02,270 --> 00:24:05,240 Dr Curtis Saunders: nice outlet from research to have a project like that 566 00:24:05,240 --> 00:24:05,899 Dr Curtis Saunders: to work on. 567 00:24:05,980 --> 00:24:09,050 Robert Ross: I'll bet it was, that's nice to have a little bit of a distraction 568 00:24:09,050 --> 00:24:09,310 Robert Ross: there, huh? 569 00:24:09,480 --> 00:24:13,260 Dr Curtis Saunders: Yes and I'm fascinated by the '31 Buick because it has 570 00:24:13,260 --> 00:24:15,699 Dr Curtis Saunders: a straight eight engine, double the number of cylinders, but 571 00:24:15,700 --> 00:24:16,761 Dr Curtis Saunders: they're all in a row, a straight eight. 572 00:24:16,761 --> 00:24:20,340 Robert Ross: Straight eight was an engineering challenge because you got that big long crank and 573 00:24:20,340 --> 00:24:24,260 Robert Ross: you got a lot of temperature challenges, maintaining constant temperatures 574 00:24:24,379 --> 00:24:27,320 Robert Ross: across such a long series of components. Of course you 575 00:24:27,320 --> 00:24:29,169 Robert Ross: get that good looking long hood to go with it. 576 00:24:30,580 --> 00:24:33,070 Dr Curtis Saunders: It's a beautiful car and it's a big enclosed car too. It's a seven passenger 577 00:24:33,070 --> 00:24:34,939 Dr Curtis Saunders: sedan and it'll be done someday. 578 00:24:35,639 --> 00:24:37,649 Robert Ross: I suspect that's not your last car though. 579 00:24:37,649 --> 00:24:41,530 Dr Curtis Saunders: I also have a 1956 Ford Thunderbird. So again, with the Fords. 580 00:24:42,790 --> 00:24:44,970 Robert Ross: That's not only a modern car by comparison, but it's 581 00:24:44,970 --> 00:24:48,159 Robert Ross: also quite a beautiful classic and certainly among the T- 582 00:24:48,159 --> 00:24:50,800 Robert Ross: birds that and the five, six and seven, those are 583 00:24:50,800 --> 00:24:53,359 Robert Ross: the three one you want. Maybe a '63, a lot 584 00:24:53,359 --> 00:24:55,899 Robert Ross: of nice Thunderbirds out there. But certainly the first series 585 00:24:55,899 --> 00:24:57,561 Robert Ross: were the ones that everybody really thinks about. 586 00:24:57,561 --> 00:25:00,020 Dr Curtis Saunders: I just love the look of it. It's a great looking car. 587 00:25:00,060 --> 00:25:02,030 Robert Ross: What are your plans? You got any big drives ahead of you? 588 00:25:02,189 --> 00:25:04,340 Dr Curtis Saunders: The next big drive for the car will be at 589 00:25:04,340 --> 00:25:07,230 Dr Curtis Saunders: my wedding. I'm getting married this October and a Model T 590 00:25:07,230 --> 00:25:08,280 Dr Curtis Saunders: will be our wedding car. 591 00:25:08,609 --> 00:25:10,139 Robert Ross: Congratulations, that's awesome. 592 00:25:10,139 --> 00:25:10,430 Dr Curtis Saunders: Thank you. 593 00:25:10,889 --> 00:25:14,070 Robert Ross: Who needs a Rolls Royce convertible for a wedding limousine 594 00:25:14,070 --> 00:25:16,439 Robert Ross: when you've got a Model T that you actually built 595 00:25:16,760 --> 00:25:20,010 Robert Ross: yourself? That is fantastic. I'm sure your uncle would be thrilled. 596 00:25:20,159 --> 00:25:22,760 Dr Curtis Saunders: It's a great way to remember him and to really just continue to 597 00:25:22,760 --> 00:25:24,629 Dr Curtis Saunders: enjoy the car and have it continue to be a 598 00:25:24,629 --> 00:25:25,850 Dr Curtis Saunders: part of my life moving forward. 599 00:25:26,070 --> 00:25:28,939 Robert Ross: Well then I have to ask, is your fiance into cars? 600 00:25:28,939 --> 00:25:31,220 Dr Curtis Saunders: She loves it. She's driven it too. She thinks it's 601 00:25:31,490 --> 00:25:33,240 Dr Curtis Saunders: awesome. It's easy to teach her to drive it because 602 00:25:33,240 --> 00:25:34,830 Dr Curtis Saunders: she already knew the principle of the clutch and all that. 603 00:25:35,320 --> 00:25:37,830 Robert Ross: That's fantastic. Well, if I ever get back East I 604 00:25:37,830 --> 00:25:39,050 Robert Ross: may look you up and hit you up for a 605 00:25:39,050 --> 00:25:41,419 Robert Ross: driving lesson because I would be thrilled to get behind 606 00:25:41,419 --> 00:25:44,070 Robert Ross: the wheel of something like that. It sounds like so much fun. 607 00:25:44,139 --> 00:25:44,649 Dr Curtis Saunders: Anytime. 608 00:25:44,770 --> 00:25:46,760 Robert Ross: I always like to ask our guests, if you could 609 00:25:46,760 --> 00:25:48,709 Robert Ross: have any three cars, what would you pick? 610 00:25:48,790 --> 00:25:53,000 Dr Curtis Saunders: That's a great question. I think definitely finishing the restorations 611 00:25:53,330 --> 00:25:56,009 Dr Curtis Saunders: is a top priority to really just get to enjoy 612 00:25:56,010 --> 00:25:58,129 Dr Curtis Saunders: them and see that go full circle to finally get 613 00:25:58,129 --> 00:26:00,560 Dr Curtis Saunders: to the part of driving. I really just love all 614 00:26:00,560 --> 00:26:03,330 Dr Curtis Saunders: brass cars. The older, the better. I would love an 615 00:26:03,330 --> 00:26:05,129 Dr Curtis Saunders: old Stanley or Doble steam car. 616 00:26:06,109 --> 00:26:06,919 Robert Ross: Okay, yeah. 617 00:26:06,980 --> 00:26:10,980 Dr Curtis Saunders: Also, the other one is an old brass car called an American Underslung. 618 00:26:10,980 --> 00:26:12,889 Robert Ross: They look like a race, well they were. 619 00:26:12,889 --> 00:26:13,510 Dr Curtis Saunders: I just love the look. 620 00:26:14,070 --> 00:26:16,590 Robert Ross: The best look in the world, huh? That's fantastic. And 621 00:26:16,590 --> 00:26:19,990 Robert Ross: it's especially gratifying to know that the brass flame is 622 00:26:19,990 --> 00:26:24,149 Robert Ross: alive with a whole younger generation of enthusiasts. What advice 623 00:26:24,149 --> 00:26:26,020 Robert Ross: would you give somebody if they thought they wanted to 624 00:26:26,720 --> 00:26:29,399 Robert Ross: do something as out there as go back in time 625 00:26:29,399 --> 00:26:31,570 Robert Ross: and look for a brass era car? Would a Model 626 00:26:31,570 --> 00:26:32,530 Robert Ross: T be a place to start? . 627 00:26:32,859 --> 00:26:36,469 Dr Curtis Saunders: Absolutely. I would say Model T's or Model A's, but 628 00:26:36,470 --> 00:26:38,780 Dr Curtis Saunders: I definitely am partial to the T's. In terms of the 629 00:26:38,949 --> 00:26:42,639 Dr Curtis Saunders: antique cars, they're very available. There's a wealth of information 630 00:26:42,639 --> 00:26:45,179 Dr Curtis Saunders: and aftermarket parts available. If you need to find a 631 00:26:45,179 --> 00:26:47,350 Dr Curtis Saunders: part and you can pretty much buy most things new 632 00:26:47,350 --> 00:26:50,129 Dr Curtis Saunders: for these cars, there's enough of them where it's vendors 633 00:26:50,129 --> 00:26:53,580 Dr Curtis Saunders: can make new parts to them. The information is there. There's different 634 00:26:53,580 --> 00:26:55,439 Dr Curtis Saunders: clubs you can join. There's people that can help you if 635 00:26:55,530 --> 00:26:57,239 Dr Curtis Saunders: you get stuck. And I would just say, don't be 636 00:26:57,240 --> 00:26:59,469 Dr Curtis Saunders: afraid to try. I learned by doing and when I 637 00:26:59,470 --> 00:27:01,439 Dr Curtis Saunders: started I was just a high schooler and I had done 638 00:27:01,439 --> 00:27:03,649 Dr Curtis Saunders: some work on lawn mowers, fine. I didn't know how 639 00:27:03,649 --> 00:27:05,560 Dr Curtis Saunders: to restore a car or how to work on things, 640 00:27:05,560 --> 00:27:07,560 Dr Curtis Saunders: but you take it apart. Sometimes you're smart enough to 641 00:27:07,560 --> 00:27:10,019 Dr Curtis Saunders: take pictures as you go, sometimes you're not. And you 642 00:27:10,020 --> 00:27:11,919 Dr Curtis Saunders: have to go back to figure out how someone else put 643 00:27:11,919 --> 00:27:13,899 Dr Curtis Saunders: it together. But I would just say, don't be afraid 644 00:27:13,899 --> 00:27:14,270 Dr Curtis Saunders: to try. 645 00:27:14,359 --> 00:27:17,989 Robert Ross: That's great. So just pretend it's a giant model kit and start from scratch. 646 00:27:18,419 --> 00:27:20,389 Dr Curtis Saunders: Exactly, if you get stuck there's help along the way. 647 00:27:20,389 --> 00:27:21,929 Robert Ross: Now are you going to get thrown out of the club if 648 00:27:21,929 --> 00:27:23,769 Robert Ross: you decide to paint one something other than black? 649 00:27:24,649 --> 00:27:25,810 Dr Curtis Saunders: You may get some looks, but- 650 00:27:25,939 --> 00:27:28,159 Robert Ross: Well it keeps saying it's easy. You don't have to worry 651 00:27:28,159 --> 00:27:28,551 Robert Ross: about what you're going to wear. 652 00:27:28,551 --> 00:27:31,770 Dr Curtis Saunders: Exactly, it's true. That's one less decision you have to make with 653 00:27:31,770 --> 00:27:32,820 Dr Curtis Saunders: the restoration process. 654 00:27:32,939 --> 00:27:35,929 Robert Ross: So Curtis, let's change our perspective. Let me ask you, 655 00:27:35,990 --> 00:27:39,109 Robert Ross: what do you think about the future of car collecting? 656 00:27:39,210 --> 00:27:42,970 Dr Curtis Saunders: It's a more accessible hobby than many people think. My 657 00:27:42,970 --> 00:27:45,820 Dr Curtis Saunders: Model T, it's not a million dollar car. It's maybe 658 00:27:45,820 --> 00:27:49,899 Dr Curtis Saunders: like $ 14000. Not everyone has $ 14000 laying around to go 659 00:27:49,899 --> 00:27:52,760 Dr Curtis Saunders: buy a car, but I would say that the future 660 00:27:52,760 --> 00:27:55,790 Dr Curtis Saunders: of the hobby, it's more accessible than many people think 661 00:27:55,869 --> 00:27:58,530 Dr Curtis Saunders: there's. Plenty of collector cars, just pick up a Hemmings 662 00:27:58,530 --> 00:28:01,279 Dr Curtis Saunders: or some classified digest and you'll see that there's plenty 663 00:28:01,280 --> 00:28:04,300 Dr Curtis Saunders: that are within range. It's going to be really interesting 664 00:28:04,350 --> 00:28:06,980 Dr Curtis Saunders: for me as a 33 year old is seeing over 665 00:28:06,980 --> 00:28:09,590 Dr Curtis Saunders: the next 20, 30 years, the cars that I remember from 666 00:28:09,590 --> 00:28:11,990 Dr Curtis Saunders: my youth that are going to become collectible much less. 667 00:28:11,990 --> 00:28:14,189 Dr Curtis Saunders: I've heard stories on other people talk about that, but 668 00:28:14,230 --> 00:28:16,330 Dr Curtis Saunders: I will definitely experience that and it'll just be very 669 00:28:16,330 --> 00:28:18,919 Dr Curtis Saunders: interesting to see what will become collectible because there's always 670 00:28:18,919 --> 00:28:20,840 Dr Curtis Saunders: going to be things that are collectible and it's only like a 671 00:28:20,840 --> 00:28:23,300 Dr Curtis Saunders: brass era car isn't as collectible as it once was, 672 00:28:23,300 --> 00:28:25,269 Dr Curtis Saunders: there will certainly be new types of cars that are 673 00:28:25,270 --> 00:28:28,609 Dr Curtis Saunders: discovering and people want to keep after. So I the 674 00:28:28,609 --> 00:28:31,050 Dr Curtis Saunders: future of the hobby is, I'm hoping it sticks around. 675 00:28:31,139 --> 00:28:32,959 Dr Curtis Saunders: I love it. It's been a great experience for me 676 00:28:33,050 --> 00:28:35,439 Dr Curtis Saunders: and I think it'll stick around, that it'll just be fascinating 677 00:28:35,439 --> 00:28:38,160 Dr Curtis Saunders: to see what becomes collectible, but I would just encourage 678 00:28:38,160 --> 00:28:40,530 Dr Curtis Saunders: people. Like I said, it's more accessible than you think, it 679 00:28:40,770 --> 00:28:44,120 Dr Curtis Saunders: doesn't have to be a show winning restoration. If it 680 00:28:44,190 --> 00:28:46,459 Dr Curtis Saunders: looks good from 10 feet away and you enjoy driving 681 00:28:46,459 --> 00:28:48,240 Dr Curtis Saunders: it, all the better. Even if it doesn't look good 682 00:28:48,240 --> 00:28:49,920 Dr Curtis Saunders: from 10 feet away, but you enjoy driving it. 683 00:28:50,160 --> 00:28:52,370 Robert Ross: Probably have more fun that way anyway because we don't have to 684 00:28:52,370 --> 00:28:53,920 Robert Ross: worry about the rock chips. 685 00:28:54,530 --> 00:28:54,640 Dr Curtis Saunders: Exactly. 686 00:28:54,850 --> 00:28:57,870 Robert Ross: It's funny, brand new cars become old cars eventually and 687 00:28:57,870 --> 00:29:00,520 Robert Ross: take it from me time flies and I remember buying 688 00:29:00,520 --> 00:29:03,730 Robert Ross: some new cars that today are treasured classics. So it 689 00:29:03,760 --> 00:29:07,769 Robert Ross: happens quickly. Talking about those future classics, do you think any 690 00:29:07,770 --> 00:29:11,100 Robert Ross: car from the past 100 years will really have the same 691 00:29:11,150 --> 00:29:14,830 Robert Ross: impact and significance as the Ford Model T? Anything else 692 00:29:14,830 --> 00:29:15,440 Robert Ross: you can think of? 693 00:29:15,490 --> 00:29:17,270 Dr Curtis Saunders: It's hard to say for me for sure. I think 694 00:29:17,270 --> 00:29:20,040 Dr Curtis Saunders: that there will, something will have an impact similar to the 695 00:29:20,880 --> 00:29:24,030 Dr Curtis Saunders: Model T. The Model T was just very unique in how it brought the 696 00:29:24,030 --> 00:29:26,470 Dr Curtis Saunders: cars to the country and it gave the working person, 697 00:29:26,550 --> 00:29:28,070 Dr Curtis Saunders: it was the first car they could afford. It really 698 00:29:28,070 --> 00:29:30,470 Dr Curtis Saunders: put the people on wheels. The next big shift would 699 00:29:30,470 --> 00:29:33,650 Dr Curtis Saunders: probably be an electric or some sort of alternative energy car. 700 00:29:33,670 --> 00:29:35,610 Dr Curtis Saunders: Of course we already have cars, we already have Rose, 701 00:29:35,610 --> 00:29:37,340 Dr Curtis Saunders: so it wouldn't be the same type of impact as 702 00:29:37,340 --> 00:29:39,160 Dr Curtis Saunders: the Model T and I certainly do think that there will 703 00:29:39,160 --> 00:29:41,070 Dr Curtis Saunders: be more cars that we'll look back on and we'll say " 704 00:29:41,070 --> 00:29:43,640 Dr Curtis Saunders: That was the car that really launched this movement, this 705 00:29:43,640 --> 00:29:46,510 Dr Curtis Saunders: revolution." Of course Ford new early, early 10 or so 706 00:29:46,510 --> 00:29:49,340 Dr Curtis Saunders: years in, he was really onto something because he was cranking out 707 00:29:49,340 --> 00:29:51,510 Dr Curtis Saunders: a car every 90 seconds. Wasn't immediate, it took a 708 00:29:51,510 --> 00:29:53,450 Dr Curtis Saunders: while for it to really build up and build up. It 709 00:29:53,450 --> 00:29:57,450 Dr Curtis Saunders: might be more like the propulsion technology, electric or even self- 710 00:29:57,450 --> 00:30:00,380 Dr Curtis Saunders: driving, but there are definitely still shifts to come in the 711 00:30:00,380 --> 00:30:03,010 Dr Curtis Saunders: auto industry and what we drive and when we look 712 00:30:03,010 --> 00:30:05,040 Dr Curtis Saunders: back on it we'll be able to say, " This is really what 713 00:30:05,220 --> 00:30:07,489 Dr Curtis Saunders: launched that movement." I definitely think that it's going to be an 714 00:30:07,490 --> 00:30:11,299 Dr Curtis Saunders: exciting next century of cars. As someone who loves driving, I'm like, "Ah," 715 00:30:11,750 --> 00:30:14,901 Dr Curtis Saunders: but also as someone who sits in DC, Baltimore traffic everyday, I'm like, " Oh, that could be nice, not to have to drive." 716 00:30:14,901 --> 00:30:19,050 Robert Ross: Well that's what the T's for for the weekend and the 717 00:30:19,050 --> 00:30:22,080 Robert Ross: autonomous EV is for the day to day. Maybe it's 718 00:30:22,080 --> 00:30:23,770 Robert Ross: the best of both worlds and I hope we're all 719 00:30:23,770 --> 00:30:24,690 Robert Ross: enjoying both of those. 720 00:30:24,690 --> 00:30:28,010 Dr Curtis Saunders: It will be really fascinating. I'm excited to live through this 721 00:30:28,010 --> 00:30:30,510 Dr Curtis Saunders: change and to really see what's next on the horizon. 722 00:30:30,860 --> 00:30:32,840 Dr Curtis Saunders: It's just an exciting time to be a car guy 723 00:30:33,600 --> 00:30:34,069 Dr Curtis Saunders: and to be interested in cars. 724 00:30:34,120 --> 00:30:37,810 Robert Ross: What a great conversation. Dr. Curtis Saunders, I really want 725 00:30:37,810 --> 00:30:39,790 Robert Ross: to thank you for joining us and taking time out 726 00:30:39,790 --> 00:30:43,580 Robert Ross: of your busy and mechanical engineering research work and to 727 00:30:43,580 --> 00:30:46,249 Robert Ross: talk about something a little more down home, which is 728 00:30:46,250 --> 00:30:49,100 Robert Ross: Model T that obviously has stolen a piece of your heart. 729 00:30:50,720 --> 00:30:50,760 Dr Curtis Saunders: It was a lot of fun coming here today, talking to you about the car. It's been great for me too. 730 00:30:53,070 --> 00:30:56,390 Robert Ross: Well, all the best for you and your upcoming wedding and send us a picture, will you? 731 00:30:56,500 --> 00:30:56,730 Dr Curtis Saunders: Will do. 732 00:30:57,440 --> 00:30:59,910 Robert Ross: Thanks to Curtis Saunders for joining us today on Cars 733 00:30:59,910 --> 00:31:02,469 Robert Ross: That Matter. Come back next time as we continue to 734 00:31:02,470 --> 00:31:05,479 Robert Ross: talk about the passions that drive us and the passions 735 00:31:05,480 --> 00:31:20,650 Robert Ross: we drive. This episode of Cars That Matter was hosted by 736 00:31:20,650 --> 00:31:24,530 Robert Ross: Robert Ross, produced by Chris Border, edited by Chris Porter, 737 00:31:24,810 --> 00:31:28,540 Robert Ross: sound engineering by Michael Kennedy, theme song by Celeste and 738 00:31:28,540 --> 00:31:32,350 Robert Ross: Eric Dick. Additional music and sound by Chris Porter. Please 739 00:31:32,350 --> 00:31:36,190 Robert Ross: like, subscribe and share this podcast. I'm Robert Ross and 740 00:31:36,190 --> 00:31:36,900 Robert Ross: thanks for listening. 741 00:31:40,020 --> 00:31:43,270 Automatic Voice: CurtCom Media, media for your mind.