Joe Jeffers of Vicksburg, Miss. sits in his Model-T pickup as the Arkansas Tin Lizzies visited the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center last Friday. The group visited Piggott as part of their Summer Tour. (Times photo/Tim Blair) [Click to enlarge]

This year marks an important milestone in American automotive history as the 100th anniversary of the Ford Model-T is observed.

The old "Tin Lizzie" was first rolled-out in October of 1908, and by 1917 was being mass-produced at the Ford plant in Highland Park, Mich. Production of the Model-T continued until May of 1927 when changing times made the car unprofitable. By the time it was all said and done, some 15 million of them had been built.

Last Friday several members of the Arkansas Tin Lizzies, a chapter of the Model-T Ford Club of America, brought their cars to Piggott for a stop at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center. The local visit was part of the group's summer tour, which included a drive along the Crowley's Ridge Scenic Byway. The club had gathered in Paragould the night before, and also visited Crowley's Ridge State Park as part of Friday's tour. On Saturday they drove to the Forrest Wood Nature Center at Jonesboro and visited Craighead Forest.

The club boasts members from all over the state, and they just completed their annual swap meet on Petit Jean Mountain which attracted a large number of the historic vehicles. And although the summer tour was an Arkansas Tin Lizzie event, they were also joined by Joe Jeffers from Vicksburg, Miss., in his converted pickup. "We drove up from Vicksburg and spent the night in Forrest City, then drove on in and met up with the others in Paragould," Jeffers explained.

When asked about his unique Model-T he offered, "mine is a converted pickup, but it's basically like the rest." Jeffers added that many farmers would buy Model-T's and remove the rear of the body in favor of a pickup bed. "They could haul a goat in there, or whatever," he added. Jeffers' pickup is painted a tan color, another "after-market" item in the world of Model-T's as the only color that was available from the factory was black.

While their vehicles were on display at the museum in Piggott, several of the members seized the opportunity to take the tour of the house and barn. In the words of one club member, "small town America like this is the backbone of the country, and we're fortunate to be able to travel around and enjoy it."

The visit to Piggott also brought out several of the local enthusiasts. Leland Gibson, who has restored the old cars for many years, brought one of his Model-T's out for the occasion. He was also joined by Bobby Hoskins in his immaculate 1957 Chevy hardtop. There were also several passers-by who stopped for a look after seeing the impressive line of antique vehicles in front of the museum.

The birthday celebration for the Model-T will culminate with the official T-Party July 21-26 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Richmond, Ind. The Arkansas group is planning to meet in Springfield, Mo., and caravan to the event together. The T-Party is expected to draw around 1,000 of the Tin Lizzies and entrants are expected to travel from as far away as Australia. The week-long event will also include a 1930's airplane show, an exhibition at the 1916 race track nearby and other period-style events.

As for the Model-T, it was truly ahead of its time. Sitting on a 100-inch wheelbase, the old cars had a four-cylinder engine that produced about 20 horsepower, and got 25 miles per gallon, with a top-speed of around 45 miles per hour. Despite their frail appearance, the vehicles were tough and fairly easy to work on if needed.

Those wanting more information about the Arkansas Tin Lizzies, the T-Party or Model-T's in general can visit the club's website at www.arkansastinlizzies.com