A new drive is underway to raise £85,000 to commission a full-size bronze sculpture of the Ford Model T that conquered Ben Nevis.
The artwork will be placed in Fort William’s newly refurbished Cameron Square – close to the spot where Henry Alexander set off in the original car for his epic attempt on the UK’s highest mountain in 1911.
Chris Robinson, of the Ben Nevis Bronze Ford Committee, explained that the ascent of the 4,409ft peak, which took almost a week, was considered “a great feat of man and machine”.
And the group is keen to commemorate the event in the Lochaber town’s High Street.
Mr Robinson, who is also a trustee of the West Highland Museum and a member of Lochaber History, said the architect designing last year’s improvements to Cameron Square thought it would be a good idea to include it in the plans.
He said: “It would be a permanent fixture in the High Street and I’m sure it would attract more visitors.
“I’m not really interested in cars. I’m interested in doing something for the High Street and the spin-off for the museum, where the full story will be told.”
Mr Robinson added that no one knew what happened to the vehicle that conquered the Ben, but there were rumours that it went to Australia.
In its absence, Iain Blyth, of Autocraft, Locheilside, has taken his own Model T, which is of the same vintage, along to local events to help with fundraising.
The group has so far raised £13,500, with pledges for a further £8,500, which means it needs to find another £65,000.
And High Street businesses are to be asked if they are willing to support the project.
The car, to be cast in phosphor bronze, would have Henry Alexander at the wheel, but the front passenger seats and back seats would be left empty, with the back door ajar, to allow visitors to climb in for photographs.
The new work would form part of a “bronze trail” for visitors to the area, along with the Commando Monument in Spean Bridge, “Sare feet” at the West End of Fort William and the BA worker in Inverlochy.
Anyone wishing to make a donation towards the car sculpture should contact Mr Robinson on 01397 702866 or by email at creakingshelves@btinternet.com