PHOTO A FAMILY CROSSES BIG SANDY CREEK IN FISH CAMP IN ONE OF THE WOODWORTH’S RENTAL CARS. PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID WOODWORTH J ust a few minutes outside of Yosemite

National Park,

David and Sheran Woodworth can offer a “topless” ride of a lifetime enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery in a classic old car.

Tour Yosemite for a weekend, or even just a day drive getaway in one of their original Model “T” or Model “A” Fords. Step back in time for an unforgettable and eye-catching ride.

David said many guests take pleasure in the ride and are able to walk away with a little piece of motor vehicle antiquity combined with the history surrounding the national Park. “The Model T opened up the world to people," he said. "Before then, most lived and died within 50 miles of the place of their birth."

Woodworth and his wife came up with the idea for classic car rentals 11 years ago and began renting to Yosemite vacationers. David, who at one time held the record for the largest collection of antique motor homes and trailers, has embraced a passion for antique cars for the past 40 years. After retiring and selling his collection of the RV’s in 1999 to the Recreational Vehicle and Manufactured Housing Hall of Fame and Museum in Elkhart, IN, Woodworth had the funds to get his one-of-a-kind business up and running.

THE MODEL “A” AND MODEL “T” FORDS RENTED BY THE WOODWORTH’S PROVIDE A UNIQUE WAY TO SEE YOSEMITE. Although Woodworth admits at first it had proved to be difficult getting insurance agents to cover their vehicles and their seemingly far-fetched plan, it has been nothing but pure pleasure. but pure pleasure.

With speed limits of 35 miles per hour on the Yosemite Valley floor, the 20 horsepower Model “T” Ford is a perfect match for the adventurous at heart. Although if you are trying to see the all of the Park in one day the 40 horsepower Model “A” might be the better fit, because it is slightly faster. The Woodworth’s even reported that despite having no seatbelts, no turn signals and unusual brakes there has never even been a scratch on a fender.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID WOODWORTH A 1915 MODEL T IS PICTURED AT BIG TREES AT MARIPOSA GROVE IN YOSEMITE. All of the 11 cars owned by the Woodworths are original and there has been no added modifications, except for the ones that the Ford dealers would have provided such as rumble seats and wooden wheels.

These cars stand out in a crowd, and renters can be guaranteed some serious onlookers, genuine paparazzi and lots of questions.

The Woodworths offer reservations online and are quick to send over a short instructional video on how to drive the car you have re- quested, as well as a 20-minute personal driving session with David upon arrival so each renter feels at ease with his vehicle.

Renting one of the Woodworth’s cars is just like renting from another car company. For a half day rate of $250 to a full day rate of $400 anyone with insurance, a valid drivers license and above the age of 21 is qualified to rent.

The tours and rentals are only open through May 1 through Oct. 31 so some customers have even began booking a full year in advance for the fashionable tour.

The Woodworths’ have expanded their business by adding a high-end Victorian home for lodging some of their customers. Just three years ago Sheran and David build their dream Victorian home, turned high-end lodge.

The Tin Lizzie Inn aims to capture the romance of an 1880’s time period, while being a brand new home with all the amenities in the house including door fixtures, lights, sinks, window and furniture from the 1890’s in order to try to recreate a replica, yet functional Victorian house. The inn “takes it name from the Model T Ford which the public lovingly dubbed The Tin Lizzie,” Woodworth said.

Although families can enjoy either just a day renting a three floor pedal antique car or indulging in a vacation package weekend trip, the inn and tour is best known for specializing in romantic getaway all inclusive packages.

It’s no shock that the Woodworth’s summer job of housekeeping an inn and providing the rental cars is only growing year after year. The consistency is often fed by its large clientele of international travelers. In fact 50 percent of their business is tourists traveling from outside the U.S.

The Woodworths have done more than just share a unique love for the cars with their visitors but have made life-long friends and often keep in touch with several of their previous guests.

Car rental information can be found online at www.DriveAModelT. com. For more information on the Tin Lizzie Inn visit www.TinLizzieInn.com