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Chasing the thrill of classic cars does not always require ownership. Several tracks and centers around Las Vegas let drivers experience high-performance supercars for fees between $299 and $599, with options including the Lamborghini Temerario, Porsche 911 GT 2 RS, McLaren 570 GT4, and Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo. Those seeking a pre-war vintage ride instead may find the rural southwest area of Michigan an ideal choice.

The Gilmore Car Museum operates much like a driving school complete with its own three-mile roadway. Its signature offering is the Model T Driving Experience, giving participants the chance to operate a Tin Lizzie. Although acquiring a Model T today could cost between $13,400 and $16,300, the museum delivers this opportunity for just $99.

Operating a Model T brings distinct demands

Ford manufactured 15 million Model Ts from 1909 through 1927. The vehicle ranks among the highest-selling automobiles ever built and served as the first to place cars within reach of everyday buyers. Henry Ford created an unusual set of controls for this mass-produced model. Drivers cannot simply enter and proceed, so the museum supplies trained instructors who explain the basics. Focus matters because the layout can feel disorienting initially.

The Model T uses three pedals yet lacks a conventional accelerator. The left pedal handles clutch and gear selection, the right applies the brakes, and the center engages reverse. A stalk to the right of the steering wheel manages the throttle while another on the left adjusts spark advance. Starting the engine by hand calls for patience and proper method. The transmission offers only low and high gears.

Such a layout stands far removed from the vehicles familiar to modern drivers. Every 3.5-hour session therefore includes detailed instruction on the spark and throttle levers, coordinating hand and foot movements, shifting between the two gears, and using the neutral and brake lever.

The site remains a major collection with more than 500 vehicles

Businessman Donald S. Gilmore of Kalamazoo established the museum, which opened July 31, 1966, with 35 automobiles that included a 1913 Rolls-Royce, a 1920 Pierce-Arrow, and a 1927 Ford Model T. The 90-acre property now holds more than 500 cars, among them 100 vintage pedal cars and a 1930 Rolls-Royce once given by Walt Disney. Additional features include seven partner museums, a recreated 1930s Shell gas station, and a working 1941 Silk City Diner that serves meals.

Enrollment in the Model T program requires a valid driver's license and the $99 fee. Participants receive a history overview of Henry Ford and the Model T, a souvenir booklet, a certificate of completion, and admission to the 190,000 square feet of exhibits featuring collections from the Classic Car Club of America, the Pierce-Arrow Foundation, the Lincoln Motor Car Heritage Museum, the Museum of the Horseless Carriage, and others.