It was love at first sight for Dr. Al and Renee Solnit.

While on their way to a dental lecture, which he was giving in Lake Tahoe, they happened to pass a historic hotel in Big Pine — and there it stood, in all its glory. An immaculate, fully restored 1915 Model T Ford.

“We just passed something you will be crazy about,” said Renee. Picking up on the sultry tone of her voice, Solnit immediately made a U-turn and pulled up in front of the hotel. And there it was, its paint gleaming in the sun, and he fell in love.

Solnit is no stranger to antique cars. He has loved restoring them since he was a young man.

“The only way I could afford a car in those days was to buy an old one and restore it,” said Solnit. “And then I was hooked.”

Several phone calls were made to people who knew about Model Ts, and they were informed that all the parts for a 1915 Model T are still available.

A deal was struck with Jack Rensdell, owner of the car, and a short time later the vintage automobile arrived at the Solnit’s Ballard Canyon home.

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“We watched it come up Ballard Canyon,” said Renee. “It was like watching our kid arrive home.”

Solnit spent many happy hours working on the car, making sure it purred on the inside and sparkled on the outside.

“We added authentic, solid-brass oil lamps on either side of the windshield, and brass running boards,” he said.

They recalled wonderful times driving it on valley back roads.

“Everybody wanted to drive in that car,” said Solnit. “Our grandchildren just loved it.”

“We took more pictures of that car than we did of our children,” added Renee.

The Solnits drove it in the Solvang Fourth of July Parade in 2003, and won first prize.

When it came time to find someone who could more easily care for the vintage automobile, they put an ad in the paper, hoping to find someone who would love the Model T as much as they did. They received a call from Tim Hogen, PCPA Theaterfest properties director, who was interested. He explained to them about the upcoming play “Ragtime,” and how he would like to use it in the play, then auction it off after the production was over.

“The realism of the car is a very integral part of the play,” said Paul Kaessinger, PCPA Theatre production manager. “Tim Hogan came to me to discuss the props we were going to use in ‘Ragtime.’ Usually we build our own, but it would have taken more time and money than we had to do that. It was just not possible. We found an ad for a Model T. We called Al and he was very interested. He made us a deal to purchase the car, and we convinced Allan Hancock College to put up the money. It was a better deal than building it ourselves because we would probably be able to sell it for a comparable amount at the end of the run of ‘Ragtime.’ So it was a no-brainer. Al’s car gave us the realism we needed for the play. It will be sent to auction at the end of the production.”

“The whole getting together with PCPA was like magic,” said Renee.

The Solnits are patrons of PCPA Theaterfest, and attend the plays regularly throughout the summer.

“PCPA was the perfect match for us, and the future of our car,” said Solnit. “Now it’s like having our kid in show business!”

PCPA will send the car to auction after the production of “Ragtime.”

BOX OFFICE:

“Ragtime” is playing in Solvang at the Festival Theater through Aug. 24. Showtimes are at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets cost $19.75 to $30.50 for adults, and $15.25 to $19.25 for students and children.

For information, call the PCPA Box Office at 922-8313 or www.pcpa.org.

ONLINE:

The Times published a theater

review of “Ragtime” July 18. To read the review, by Staff Writer Brad Memberto, visit our Web site, www.santamariatimes.com, and perform an advanced archives search for “Ragtime” on that date.