Antique vehicle donated to the Edison-Ford estates in Ft. Myers, Florida
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Today, at approximately 10 a.m., Edison and Ford Winter Estates will receive a donated antique Calliope vehicle. The 1914 Model T is installed with a working pipe organ. Upon arriving, the organ will be played outside prior to moving the vehicle to its reserved spot inside the museum.
Donated by Michelle and Dale Day of Fort Myers, the car has previously been on display during the Estates’ antique Ford car shows The Day family has also donated a 1923 Model T to the Estates.
Editor’s Note: We visited the Ford Estate in 2019. This photograph was taken while touring a garage on the property.
Model T Ford. At the Ford Estate. Paul Goldfinger photo. ©
Between 1908-1927 Ford made 15 million Model T’s. Only the Volkswagon Beatle surpassed these numbers.This calliope model made music–sort of a precursor to the car radio. You can imagine the thrills created in our society, and around the world, by this car, and then eventually by the addition of music to round out the mood.
And let’s not forget the invention of the back seat. The rumble-seat was designed to protect the virtues of young women.
And, especially, there was the thrill of flooring the T and achieving the peak of 40 mph with the wind blowing in your face.
FRANK SINATRA