David has his 100th birthday off to a T - Ford Model T that is!
A MODEL T Ford sporting the Model T Ford centenary tartan designed and made in the Scottish Borders to commemorate the world-wide rally of 100 Model T Fords at Dryburgh Abbey from May 18-24, appeared in New York City to participate in the celebration of Tartan Day's 10th anniversary.
Driving the car was 100 year-old David Farquharson. David, born in London and
Model T Tartan being displayed in NYC
The Centenary Rally organiser, Mike Povey said: "The idea behind the tartan was to produce a lasting memory of Henry Ford and his famous Model T achievement which was voted Car of the Century. The tartan is a Scottish icon's way of saluting an American icon."
Mr Povey and Scottish Borders Council convener, Alasdair Hutton, were in New York during Tartan Week to promote the rally and the Scottish Borders to Americans ahead of the 'Year of Homecoming' in 2009, when it is hoped thousands of descendants of exiled Scots will make their way to Scotland.
Nearly 100 Model T cars and their owners will be coming from nine countries to the Borders where they will tour the area and spend one day driving to Edinburgh to visit the Scottish Parliament Building for lunch, and hope to meet MSPs, the American Ambassador, Lord Provost of Edinburgh and members of the Alexander family whose grandfather, Henry Alexander, made the Model T famous by driving it to the top of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, in 1911 — a feat which was recognised by Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company.
The Model T visitors will get the chance to see the Borders' unrivalled scenery and enjoy the best of Scottish foods, haggis included.
Among other places they plan to visit are Ford Castle and the village of Ford in Northumberland, the Lochcarron works in Selkirk where the Ford Tartan has been produced and the historic Square in Kelso immediately before the very modern Jim Clark Rally cars start.
The colours for the Model T Tartan of red, blue, black, white and gold were chosen because:
Red — represents the first 800 Model Ts ever made.
Blue — introduced a short time later.
Black — to capture the quotation by Henry Ford 'any colour you want as long as it's black'.
White — stands for the natural rubber tyres and floor mats as used in all Model Ts up until 1916.
Gold — represents the extensive use of brass on all Model Ts up to and including 1916.
SBC convener Alasdair Hutton said: "This rally, which is attracting extraordinary support from all over the world, is another big boost for the Borders which we anticipate will be a magnet for Scots descendants around the globe as they make their way 'home' next year and see where their forefathers came from.
"Many more people were cleared from the Borders in the 18th century agricultural revolution than from other parts of Scotland so we shall be glad to welcome them back to see the land of their forefathers."
Published Date: 30 April 2008 | Source: n/a | Location: Berwick
http://www.berwick-advertiser.co.uk/news/David-has-his-100th-birthday.4035726.jp
