John Eaton, from Berwick, N.S., takes a seat in his Canopy Express, which he modified with added seats to fit his grandchildren. - Michael Robar

Dave Szumowski, right, teaches some youth how to properly and safely inspect a Model T during the club’s annual tour in Georgetown on Sunday. - Michael Robar

Co-tour chairman Colin Knowles poses with his car at the Model T Ford Club International 63rd annual tour in Georgetown on Sunday. - Michael Robar

Frank Kelley, all the way from Missouri, talks shop with another Model T Ford enthusiast. - Michael Robar

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MONTAGUE, P.E.I. —

Brian Dowell was browsing on the online auction website eBay about 10 years ago when his wife walked in and told him he couldn’t buy it.

He didn’t know what “it” was, but he bid on it anyway as a joke.

$12,500 later he owned his first Model T.

Today, he is the president of the Model T Ford Club International and owns three of the vehicles.

For Colin Knowles, it started at the age of four when his dad started fixing up Model Ts. Eventually, Knowles and his two brothers each had their own.

Forty-five years later, his newly licensed 16-year-old son has a Model T of his own, while Knowles is the co-tour chairman of the 63rd annual MTFCI’s tour.

While there was plenty of reverence for the first mass-produced vehicle – “The car that put the world on wheels,” said Dowell – it was this type of passing of the torch that was the most common theme among the aficionados who gathered in the Montague area for the first leg of the tour on Sunday.

The MTFCI actively tries to foster a younger membership through safety education offered to youth and an award given to every first-time driver under 19 who completes a half day of touring.

There were some 148 vehicles registered for the tour, with vehicles coming from as far as Colorado, and an estimated 360 participants.

Festivities on Sunday included optional judging of the cars, while a food truck was on site to feed car owners. Sunday evening included an ice cream social.

The tour continues across the Island throughout the week, wrapping up Friday, July 19.

MOTORING AROUND

Other stops on the Model T Ford Club International tour: