Many Model Ts will be out over the weekend

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 August 2014 at 12:00 am

Local ‘Flivver Drivers’ are hosting about 20 of the cars

Photos by Tom Rivers – Joe Baker is pictured with his daughter Stephanie Carrico and her children, from left: Rachel, 1; Bailey, 2; and Annabelle, 4. They are posed with a 1920 Ford Model T.

ALBION – The “Easy Ride Tour” is returning to Albion this weekend and about 20 Model T Fords will be out visiting local sights.

Joe Baker of Albion is organizing the local tour that will include cars from Upstate New York and Southern Ontario. Baker is a member of the local “Flivver Drivers.”

He welcomes the public to stop and chat with the car owners when they make their stops over the weekend. Many of the Model T’s were restored – cars sometimes rescued from hedge rows.

Joe Baker’s grandchildren enjoy the comfy seats in a 1920 Ford Model T. Baker owns three Model T’s that will be featured in this weekend’s “Easy Ride Tour.”

“We try to get as many people interested in this hobby,” Baker said this morning at his home on West Bacon Road. “These cars are 100 years old and will need someone to take care of them.”

Baker will have three Model T’s on the road for the weekend. His daughter, Stephanie Carrico, is bringing a 1931 Model A from her home in Albany.

Carrico grew up with the old cars and has embraced the hobby. She takes her car to store and often drops off her daughter at preschool. People have lots of questions. When she got married, a caravan of Model A’s delivered the wedding party. Her father used to take her to school on the first day in the Model A.

“These clubs are very family oriented,” said Mr. Baker, owner of Quality Construction.

This year’s tour coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Model T. Orleans Ford in Medina will host 20 of the Model T’s, including at least 3 from 1914 or older, on Saturday morning beginning at 9 a.m.