By Dominique Tassell
A Model T Ford workshop is opening up in Stanthorpe, in what is sure to be a unique addition to town.
Ian Schmidt will officially open his workshop this Saturday at 9 am, celebrating with a BBQ and display from some of the local car clubs.
Ian said a Model T Ford workshop is pretty rare in Australia, and he only knows of one other.
That workshop, he said, it’s just a private one.
“This one is more out there,” he said. “It’s more available.”
He says it’s reasonably rare to find a workshop for these specific cars, but he will do other cars as well.
It’s expected that people will travel to use the workshop, with Ian stating he’s also working on one for Craig Denyer also known as Grant Denyer’s dad.
Ian said he’s been working on Model T Fords for other people for around five years now.
He’s had his own for around seven years.
“They keep me busy,” he said.
Ian said the workshop is a big expansion and “it’s a lot of money put into the district”.
While Ian doesn’t do body work, he does all the mechanic work. He’s ford trained and has been a mechanic for 42 years.
He said they will utilise skills locally to ensure money stays in the region.
“We try and keep it all together in one area.”
You can find Ian on Facebook by searching ‘Stanthorpe model t shed’.
The Ford T Model was introduced to the world in 1908, and is widely credited as the car that popularised automobile travel due to it being marketed towards the middle class at a relatively affordable price, and remains one of the most sold cars in history.
