This old Model T belongs to Percy Norton of Humboldt County, California, a man whose father was a whaler and sailed four times around the Horn before he came up along rugged northern California coast in 1872, found rich, greenacres underneath the oldest living trees, the redwoods, and measured off a homestead. Percy's mother made the wagon trip across the plains to reach this furthest point west.

Parents, place, both instilled in Percy a tenderness for things historical. That he loves the old Ford is evident as he says, "She's got the smoothest running engine in Humboldt County. She was made in '14, but I didn't get her until '22. Bought her off a neighbor. And I ain't had a speck of trouble with her since I got her. But, I do what most folks don't. I warm up the engine five minutes or more before I take her out on the road, and I keep her oiled up good. That's why she hums along so nice."

Ford dealers have offered Percy a spanking new modern job for his 1914 museum piece, but he always says, "No, she'll run as long as I do." And, the people of Humboldt County are glad when he refuses. For, when Percy sits up there in his Tin Lizzie with Tip, his dog, along side him on the seat, and goes chugging down the highway at forty miles an hour, he becomes a moving landmark that represents adventurous old times and a proud pioneer spirit, things that all Americans cherish.

© Pearl Deganhart, Tom Knight, and Joyce Farruggia for the Blackberry Bramble Network.
Use free for educational and other non-profit uses.
Published with permission of Katy Knight.
Last Updated 12-24-95