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Centenarian Drives 100-Year-Old Model T on Route 66
5 Jun
Summary
- A 100-year-old man drove his 1926 Ford Model T to celebrate Route 66's anniversary.
- Maurice Bonecutter was born in 1926, the same year Route 66 opened and his car was made.
- The Ford Model T made automotive travel accessible due to its affordable pricing.
Maurice Bonecutter, a 100-year-old man born in 1926, is commemorating the 100th anniversary of Route 66 by driving his 1926 Ford Model T. This milestone event, held in Tulsa, is part of a Guinness World Record attempt. Bonecutter's connection to the historic highway, known as the 'Mother Road,' is profound, as he used to drive it when it was in regular use. The year 1926 holds special significance for Bonecutter, marking his birth, the opening of Route 66, and the manufacturing year of his car.
The Ford Model T, produced from 1908 to 1927, is celebrated as the first mass-produced automobile, significantly increasing automotive accessibility for the public due to its affordability. Driving this vintage vehicle offers a unique experience, as Bonecutter notes its lack of modern features like a gear shift or accelerator, relying instead on pedals and levers. This passion for cars runs in his family, with his great-grandson also being a classic car enthusiast.
Route 66, established in November 1926, was one of the original U.S. highways, stretching 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, California. Although parts have been bypassed or fallen into disrepair due to the rise of Interstate Highways, significant segments have been preserved as Historic Route 66. Bonecutter, having lived in New Mexico for 29 years, is among the last individuals with firsthand memories of Route 66's heyday, serving as a living link to its past.
