About the 1987 “Texas to Alaska Model T Adventure

On June 12, 1987 a group of 8 Model T Fords left Bryan, Texas on the longest Model T tour ever held. Eight other Model T drivers joined the tour at various points along the route.

  • ••Ben Hardeman, and his 9 year old daughter Jennifer, from Bryan, Texas, driving a 1927 Touring Car.
  • ••Merle & Irene Green from Vicksburg, Michigan driving a 1927 Coupe.
  • ••Ralph & Marcy Zajicek from Richardson, Texas driving a 1921 Police Paddy Wagon.
  • ••Carl & Mabel Giboney from Springfield, Missouri driving a 1926 Coupe.
  • ••Earl & Opal Robinson from Springfield, Missouri driving a 1923 Center Door.
  • ••Herald & Shirley Arnt and their son – Ole from Union City, Michigan driving a 1927 Touring Car.
  • ••Chet Zorn from Whitewater, Wisconsin driving a 1927 Fordor.
  • ••Z. L. & Mary Simpson from Pottsboro, Texas driving a 1926 Tudor.
  • Harold Wilson from Colorado Springs, Colorado driving a 1916 Touring. Colonel Wilson started the tour with the main group, but left the tour in Tok, Alaska to drive to the Arctic Ocean near Inuvik, Northwest Territory before returning to his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
  • Howard & Edith Kittelson from Louisburg, Minnesota driving a 1926 Roadster. Kittelson’s joined the tour in Kent, Washington and left the tour in Hinton, B.C.
  • Chris Egsgaardfrom Reseda, California driving a 1927 Roadster Pickup. Chris Eggsgard joined the tour in Redding, California and left the tour in Salmon, Idaho. Chris camped out most nights on the tour.
  • Duane & Ginny Ludtke from Santee, California driving a 1914 Touring. The Ludtke’s joined the tour in Crescent City, California and left the tour in Kalispell, Montana.
  • Don & Judy Swart from Santee California driving a 1915 Roadster. The Swart’s, who traveled with the Ludtke’s, joined the tour in Crescent City, California and left the tour in Kalispell, Montana.
  • Don Whissen from Denver, Colorado driving a 1914 Touring. Don started the tour in Bryan, Texas with the main group, but left the tour in Yellowstone, Montana.
  • Tillman & Ruth Oblander from Ozark, Missouri driving a 1927 Roadster Pickup. Oblander’s joined the tour in Kent, Washington and left the tour in Valley View, B.C.
  • Perk & Betty Odell from Akron Colorado driving a 1927 Roadster Pickup. The Odell’s joined the tour in Hanksville, Utah and left the tour in Craig, Colorado.
  • **Bob & Norma Johnson from Ontario, California driving 1926 Roadster.

•• These participants made the entire round trip of 10,400 miles driving and an additional 1,000 miles on various ferry boats.

**The Johnson’s Model T broke down before they ever joined the tour and they wound up driving their modern car to accompany the rest of the group. All 16 cars which joined the tour completed their drive.

There were no support vehicles taken on the trip. Of the eight Model T’s who made the entire 10,400 mile trip from Bryan, Texas and return, four of the cars never had a flat tire. One of the cars had no breakdowns whatsoever, only having to change the oil.