#fliver

Galloping Gertie, Ford Model T

Fun Facts about the Model T *The Model-T had a 20 horsepower four cylinder engine and reached about 45 miles per hour. *It got about 13-21 miles per gallon and weighed 1200 pounds. * The name “Lizzie” was one of the most popular nicknames out of dozens for the Model-T. Henry Ford called the Model-T “The Universal Car”for being low cost, reliable car that can be easily maintained and also travel…

flivver--cheap car, especially a Model-T Ford.

According to Wikipedia, “Flivver" is an American slang term used  to refer to any small car that gave a rough ride, esp. one that is small, inexpensive, and old; first use 1910. The term started to go out of style by the late 1930s or early 1940s, replaced by the use of jalopy. 

In the silent move, Mickey, Mabel Normand’s character has a worthless mine.  When her relatives find out, they lose interest in her.  She says (in the word card), “She’s my aunt—but she’s got no use for me ’cause my mine’s a flivver.” 

I guess she was speaking metaphorically comparing her mine to a cheap, almost worthless car.