Ford Model T

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Ford - The Universal Car

Ford Model T

1908 - 1927
Country:
USA
Engine:
4 cyl.
Capacity:
2896 cc (177ci)
Power:
20 hp
Transmission:
2 forward / 1 reverse
Top Speed:
n/a
Number Built:
15,000,000+
Collectability:
3 star
Ford Model T
Reviewed by Unique Cars and Parts
Our Rating: 3

Introduction



Ask most people to name a vintage car, and the answer will invariably be “The Model T”. With over 15 million being manufactured in the USA, South Africa, Canada and Australia, it is widely regarded not only as the car that “put the nation on wheels”, but the car that put the world on wheels.

Known colloquially as the Tin Lizzie, the Model T would enjoy a long production run lasting nearly 20 years. It was both durable and cheap to run and maintain, if not a little utilitarian in design and creature comforts, but most importantly it was affordable.

The first Model T was produced on September 27th, 1908 at the Piquette Plant in Detoit, Michigan. Even though the name Model T was used for almost twenty years, it was much improved both visually and mechanically over the years.

There were a wide variety of body-styles on offer, however as the open touring and roadsters were cheaper to produce, these made up the greater part of sales and were therefore manufactured in the greatest numbers.

The innovative production techniques introduced by Henry Ford, with the moving assembly line (and above award employee conditions) allowed the Model T to be sold during the early 1920’s for a mere $300 – compared to upwards of $2000 for most other automobiles then on sale.

Ford had found many ways to cut costs and offer the least-expensive product. He instructed his suppliers how to assemble the wood crates that were used to ship him parts. The crates were then dismantled and used within the bodies of the car. The scrapes were made into charcoal and sold under the name 'Kingsford'.

The idea for creating a “moving assembly line” was certainly not new, it being used for many years by the meat packing industry. But applying the same methodology to the manufacture of the automobile came about when one William C. Klan visited an abattoir in Chicago, Klan in-turn proposing the idea to Peter Martin.

A team was assembled and perfected through trial and error, the assembly line finally going into operation in 1914 – leading Ford to produce more vehicles that year than all other manufacturers combined. Most know the saying derived from the Model T, that you can have any colour you like, as long as it is black. The reason Henry Ford chose black was that it was the fastest drying colour. From 1917 to 1923 Ford did not do any advertising, with 9 out of 10 cars being Fords, none was necessary.

Ford - the Universal Car
The Model T was designed by Henry Ford, Childe Harold Wills, Joseph A. Galamb and Eugene Farkas. It was powered by a front mounted longitudinal inline 177ci four-cylinder engine which powered the rear wheels.

Developing 20 horsepower, it was capable of propelling the Model T to around 45 mph. There were three main bearings and side valves, a ten gallon fuel tank (mounted underneath the front seat), the engine being started by a hand crank located at the front of the vehicle.

A 'three speed' planetary gear type transmission was used, it being derived from the earlier Model K, and had 2 forward and one reverse gear.  The 3-speed unit was actually two-speeds forward plus one reverse. With no clutch pedal, shifting was handled by floor pedals that did not require a clutch.

Also located on the floor was a third pedal which operated the reverse gear. The throttle was controlled by a lever on the steering column.

Neutral was located by the parking brake lever. The other foot pedal applied a band around a drum in the transmission. The parking brake lever operated the band brakes on the outside of the rear brake drums. When the hand lever was pulled back, the brake was engaged and the drive gears were disengaged.

Wooden 'artillery wheels' were standard until 1926 when they were replaced with steel wire wheels. The suspension was a transversely mounted semi-elliptical spring for both the front and rear axle. Brass was used throughout the earlier vehicles for items such as horns, radiators, and headlights. Headlights were acetylene lamps but later switched to electric lights.

Sales peaked in 1924 with over 2 million automobiles leaving the assembly line. By this time, many of Ford's competitors had switched to the same principles that had made the Model T such a success. And the competition went one step further, able to attract new buyers by offering greater individuality, larger engines and more features. Popular options included windshield wipers, anti-theft locks and light dimmers.

Chevrolet vehicles had three forward gears while the Model T still used only two. Also, since the Model T's were so durable, they were still in functioning order. The more practical simply decided that they did not need a new vehicle as the Tin Lizzie was still running so well, or for those who grew tired of the old girl, they invariably chose a different manufacturer who offered a car with more creature comfort.

The result was unprecedented depreciation, Model T’s being sold for next-to-nothing. Sales began to dip in 1925 and dramatically in 1926, with production finally coming to an end in 1927.

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Ford Model T Technical Specifications
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Peter B
Posted Recently
Wood spoke weels were on the '26 cars and wire wheels on the '27.
You will have to date you car on the engine and gearbox date clock cast into them, this will give you a date when the engine was built. This will date your car accuratly for the year of production provided it still has it's original engine.
Ian B
Posted Recently
I have a Model T, 'supposedly' 1927, but it has wood wheels. From this article it would be a 1926, but it is Geelong production with Canadian radiator. Were we slower to change the wheels to wire?
Most articles all give the history of the US production. Does anyone have the Australian story and the engine numbers to match please?
Mark C
Posted Recently
"the parking brake lever operated the band brakes on the outside of the rear drums" This statement is incorrect. this was only the case if optional accessory Rocky Mountain Brakes were fitted. The stock set up had the leaver accuate an expanding brake shoe on the inside of the drum which served as the parking brake. The right foot pedal controlled the main brakes which were a band contracting on a drum attached to the tail shaft thus locking the crown wheel and pinion gear in the differential. Neutral was also selected by holding the left pedal half way in. There was also a leaver on the left hand side that controlled the spark advance. There was technically only one forward gear as 2nd gear was a direct drive and not geared. This was selected by releasing the parking break lever fully forward toward the front of the car and releasing the left pedal.
 
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