A Ford Model T which is over 100 years old is to take up the ambitious challenge of travelling across the world, supporting projects run by children's aid organisation SOS - Children's Villages. Dutch couple Dirk and Trudy Regter first started in the summer of 2012 and have covered 50,000 miles. Not bad for a car built in 1915 with no modifications whatsoever. Well, there are larger tyres fitted for a softer ride but I'm sure we can forgive them for that! The first leg of the journey was a 14,000 mile trip which took the Regters from their home town of Edam to Cape Town in South Africa.
The Model T was involved in accident when it returned to Europe however but the couple plan to continue their journey, covering New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia and India. They will then aim to cross the Himalayas to China before going through Mongolia and then back home through Central Europe.
Mr Regter, who has owned the Model T since 1997 has owned a Model T prior to that, which was made in 1923 as well as a 1928 Model A. Mr Regter inherited his passion for Vintage Fords from his father and his grandfather.
Speaking of the trip to South Africa, Mr Regter said: “On the border of South Africa and Botswana we met a farmer who had an old Ford Model T in the shed”, Dirk said. “He gave us a tyre off it as a gift to help us on our way.
“In Africa we had to weld a broken front wheel at the local blacksmith. “I’m pretty handy, and a screwdriver, hammer, some duct tape, tie wraps and tensioning straps go a long way.”
You can see more about their account of the incredible journey in the video below: