Please Touch My Car

Synchro909 said:
Every year for the past 15 or 20 years we have held an event called "In The Driver's Seat". It is held by the local Lions Club which has a member who lost his sight. Being into vintage cars, he organised the first one and it has now become a fixture on the calendar. Driving School instructors in their dual control cars volunteer their time allowing their blind passenger to "drive" around a race track. You should see the expressions on their faces and hear what they have to say afterwards. Some of the blind have been so all their life while others have lost their sight later. I recall one guy who had been a truck driver who was just itching to get behind the wheel again. It does the blind a world of good and is supported by a motor cycle club, vintage car clubs and others. I have attended several and allow the blind to see my car with their hands as much as they like. Each is accompanied by a carer. My only caution to any of them is about the warm radiator after one while "looking" at the car got a fright when she felt the heat. She hadn't expected the car would get hot.
I regard it as a day well spent.;)
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A very kind and worthwhile project. You are indeed to be commended ! Wayne
 
Great stories. We all need to share our enthusiasm about our hobby and let others feel the vehicles. Mine is not a trailer queen and the finger prints come off easily. It is nice to let people sit in it and have their picture taken. Just like to share my pride and joy with others
 
I made a small "sign" for my '31 wide-bed, it says "Made of genuine Ford steel, OK to touch. Most people are hesitant and still ask. My sign is taped to the inside of the door windows so they don't get rained on.
 
Scott:
If everyone followed your example, it would be a perfect world.

All the best - all the time.
 
I am overwhelmed by all the positive comments to this post. I have been asked by a lot of people on Facebook if it's okay to share. It is fine with me if you want to share this post with anyone.
 
Scott - Thanks for sharing your story.

I have a 1919 T hack with origional seats and wood. It was restored by my dad and me in the mid fifties and after 46 years in storage came to my home a few years ago. After cleaning it up a bit I decided to do a few car shows for fun. I start it with the crank every so often and let kids sit in it - not when it is running :eek:
Most of the kids and parents are amazed that I allow pepole to touch my car and from their smiles I can tell that they apreciate it.

At one show an older person sat in the car car and said, "You have the only real car here. The rest are only ego sleds!" I must have laughed for 5 minutes.
 
This just proves there are a lot of great people out there - contrary to what we hear every day on the TV! Hats off to you and the Model A community for preserving a piece of history and sharing it with others! Jim
 
Thanks for telling us that experience...it also brought a tear to my eye as I tried to work with the unsighted about thirty years ago...I didn't have the patience or understanding then but now in retirement, I might try again. Sad how patience comes later in life whether one wants it or not.
Swoff
 
"Sad how patience comes later in life whether one wants it or not.
Swoff "

I can easily understand that. We can't do the things used to do and we learn to enjoy the things we can still do. One of them is watching people who are enjoying our Model A cars. Especially the kids who seem to always call out to hear the horn as we drive past!
 
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