Uncle Tom (Thomas Parsons), as he was locally known, was the proud owner of a “T” Ford car, which he purchased in 1943.
Previously, it had been owned new by a nearby friend, Henry Hingston, but Henry had died in January 1943. The car had been placed for sale in a Launceston used car sale yard, but had sat there for 6 months with little interest being shown.
Tom would have been very familiar with the car, and at the age of 65, Tom became interested in purchasing. Accompanied by friends, Norm Shipp and Athol Richardson, they checked over the vehicle, with the only defect being the need for new welch plugs. These were not available, but the problem was solved by fitting penny coins in there place. Purchase of the “T” followed at a price of £20.
The car was well known to me, even having rides on several occasions.
The start of the car was intriguing. There was no starter motor; instead, there was a crank handle job. In preparing to get mobile, Tom would flit around the vehicle, give the crank handle a few turns, go to the steering wheel and adjust the spark and throttle, give the crank a few more winds and on pulling at a wire, the engine would splutter into life.
With the car having no drivers’ side door, the driver had to enter by the passenger side. His wife Emily would dutifully stand holding open the door and would take her seat after Tom had passed through.
Tom was immensely proud of the vehicle and would claim it was far superior to the “new-fangled cars”. Proof came at a Longford Show.
On the day of the Show, the ground was wet with rain developing. Many of the newer small wheeled cars became bogged and had to be pulled out by horses and tractors.
Tom’s car had big wheels and was able to cope with the conditions. He backed out and headed for the gate with his chest puffed out, one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the honker, he showed the superiority of his car.
After Tom’s death in 1966 the car passed to a nephew at Burnie, who sold it to a Dutchman, who later sold it to a motor museum in Holland. It was stated as the best-kept “T” Model car that could be bought worldwide. It now stands in pride of place at the museum.
Tom would be most pleased and proud.
Written By Ivan Badcock 27/6/25