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Ford Model T tackles Ben Nevis

Ford is celebrating the climbing of Ben Nevis by a Model T, by doing it again. Kind of.

The last ever Ford Model T made is heading to Scotland to celebrate the centenary of the famous Ford scaling Ben Nevis.

In 1911, Henry Alexander, a Ford dealer from Edinburgh, took five days to drive a Model T to the top of Ben Nevis to demonstrate the car's rugged design. At the top of the 4,406-foot (1,343 metres) mountain, the car was greeted by a large crowd and then driven down in just three hours.

The Ben Nevis Challenge runs from 16-21 May and sees more than 60 Model T Fords gathering to mark the centenary of this historic ascent. All of those taking part will complete a variety of driving routes over the five days and there will be a display of memorabilia at the Nevis Centre in Fort William.

The highlight of the celebrations will see a Model T sitting at the top of Ben Nevis 100 years on from Henry Alexander's record breaking drive.

However, cars are no longer allowed to drive up Ben Nevis, so an exact replica of Alexander's car will be dismantled and carried to the top of the mountain before being reassembled at the summit.

Iain Blyth, who is organising the event, said: "This is a celebration of success and it is fitting the anniversary of the Ford Model T conquering Britain's highest peak is shared with Ford of Britain's 100-year anniversary."

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Published on May 9, 2011