Last Sunday a dream collapsed when the 100 year old Model T famous from 'Model T Worldtour' was damaged beyond repair (well anything is possible of course, but the damage is dramatic) in a freak accident in Belgium. World travellers Dirk & Trudy Regter and passenger Rick Nicolaas luckily came away without serious injuries which is a miracle.
As reported here regularly Dirk and Trudy Regter travelled the world with their 1915 Model T to raise funds for SOS Children's Villages International. So far they travelled Europe, Africa (top-down), North America (full round including Hershey!), South America (down & up again)... some 55,000 km in total. Preparing the car for the next leg which starts in New Zealand they did a practice weekend in Luxembourg and at the same time were supporting the 'Make a Wish' foundation, an organisation who tries to make come true the dreams of children with a life threatening disease. On their way home from a very succesful weekend, things went terribly wrong.
Easily cruising in Belgium with the Ford safely on the trailer behind the Landrover, a truck driver - nearing from behind at high speed - didn't pay attention. He smashed into the trailer, causing the combination to array with the Landrover (with Dirk, Trudy and Rick in it) ending on its side. Fortunately, they are all doing okay, besides some bruises and myalgia. That cannot be said for the T Ford and Landrover; both total loss. After celebrating its 100 year-anniversary in February 2015, the future of the friendly Model T is very insecure. The car carried them from Beijing to Paris. And more recently halfway round the world. At this point nothing is certain. Not the car. Not the worldtrip. We'll keep you posted.
(Pictures Rick Nicolaas)