Reproduced here is the January 1909 catalog of Ford Model T cars.
The photos and text describe the cars as originally built in late 1908 but by the time of this
catalog appeared the two-lever, two-pedal control system had been replaced with the more
familiar
three-pedal design was in production (after the first 500 cars built). | |
Ford Motor Cars | |
Model T Touring Car. Four cylinder, 20 horsepower, 5 passenger. $850.00 f.o.b. Detroit | |
In spite of standard practice to the contrary, we are not
going to lay extravagant claims to all the good things in sight. There are excellent features in
other cars, but better features or as high grade materials as are used in the Model T Ford cannot
be found in any other car at any price. A better car is not and cannot be made. That's a statement
that would appear to be out of reason if Henry Ford did not have five years of continuous
success on a similar proposition. Since the first Ford, Ford has been first as the maker of a
high grade car at half the other man's price. | |
Touring Car with Top | |
The Model T car occupies the same position as a touring car
that the Ford runabout has held. It offers the only chance to secure a high grade family
car at a reasonable price---a price lower than the runabout price of any car but Ford.
Think of it; a four cylinder, twenty h.p., roomy, powerful, five passenger touring car
of pleasing appearance and superior design; a commodious family car, backed by the guarantee
of the financially strongest company in the business, and then note the price---$850.00
F.O.B. Detroit. | |
Model T Roadster. 4 cylinder, 20 h.p.. A touring car for three. $825.00 f.o.b. Detroit | |
Proven by Service | |
By January 1, 1909, Ford had produced just 309 Model T's. There were a few made before the first "production" model was made on October 1, 1908, and a good number of problems with the new car had become apparent. The three-pedal control system had been designed and parts needed were specified before calendar 1909. The frame (chassis), for example, proved too flexible and had to be reinforced with a steel plate riveted inside the frame rails. The second batch of frames (after the first 2500) were made of heavier metal. 1909 production saw a number of modifications needed to correct various problems. | |
Model T Coupe. 4 cylinder, 20 h.p. Inside driven. $950.00 f.o.b. Detroit | |
Vanadium Steel | |
Model T Town Car. 4 cylinder, 20 h.p. 5 passenger. $1000.00 f.o.b. Detroit | |
Other manufacturers are arranging to use Vanadium, but it
will be two years before they can incorporate it in their cars. It took Ford two years and
two hundred thousand dollars, and that's how much ahead of date a Ford buyer is. The steel
analyses are our own, the heat treating and quenching formulae are our own secrets; and the
steel plant at the Ford Motor Company's Works is one of the most complete in the world. | |
Model T Landaulet. 4 cylinder, 20 h.p. $950.00 f.o.b. Detroit | |
25,000 Cars | |
Specifications | |
Semi-Sectional View of the Power Plant | |
The water jacketed cylinder head is a separate unit, easily
removed when desired for cleaning, adjusting, etc. | |
Power Plant with cylinder head removed. Also showing with the head replaced. | |
Transmission |
Low speed and reverse clutches are of the fiber
lined steel band type. These bands grip smoothly and when engaged spring away from drums,
assuring positive action without waste of power. |
The high speed clutch is of the multiple
disk type so designed as to give the maximum bearing surface. This multiple disk clutch is
composed of smooth steel disks interposed, and operating in an oil bath. |
To start the car, press pedal C slightly forward,
throw the hand lever forward, press pedal C full forward engaging slow, then as the car gains
momentum gradually release pressure on pedal and thereby throw into high speed. When it
is desired to release the clutch to stop the car, it is not required to pull back the hand
lever into neutral position as a pressure on the foot pedal releases the clutch and
re-engages it when ready. |
With the spark and throttle alone any speed from a walk to high speed can be obtained without changing the gearing. |
The Model T Way | The Old Way |
The control is on the left side, the logical place for the
following reasons: The driver is then nearest the vehicle he is passing, running in an
opposite direction. With it on the right he cannot see and to guess is dangerous. |
Ignition |
Magneto---Showing method of contruction |
Magneto Parts |
This construction makes for simplicity and cleanliness, a
decided advance over any other design. |
Brakes On the Model T a dual system of braking is employed. The service brake operates on the transmission and is controlled by pedal. The emergency brake is controlled by hand lever and operates on the rear wheels. The service brake will stop the car gently or, if necessary, will instantly lock the wheels, in either case with little exertion on the part of the driver. The emergency brakes are of the internal expanding type, acting on pressed steel drum attached to rear hubs. While seldom necessary to use these brakes, it offers complete protection when the occasion does arise for their use. Wheels and Tires Wheels are of the artillery type, wood with extra heavy hubs. Tires are highest grade, clincher, 30x3" front, 30x3-1/2 rear. Final Drive The Ford triangular drive system is patented in every country in the world. It is the only system in which driving shafts, universal joint, gears and other moving parts are enclosed in one dust proof and oil tight housing from transmission gear to the hub caps of the wheels. The drive is direct to the center of the chassis regardless of whether the car is running straight of turning corners; and only one universal joint is necessary. A ball-and-socket connection between the tubular torsion members of the transmission frame allows the axle to oscillate in any direction and thereby relieves the passengers of all strains and shocks due to the unevenness of the road. This system is broadly covered by letters patent in all countries. |
The universal joint comprises four members---the two drop forged hardened steel sections and the halves of the split retaining ring. It is, at the same time, the simplest, most efficient and most endurable universal joint ever devised, and it is automatically lubricated at all times; the owner "never knows it is in the car." The drive shaft bearings are of babbitt of special analysis and treatment, carefully reamed and fitted and the oil from the universal joint flows constantly through these bearings and into the differential housing. |
Universal Joint, Rear Axle and Final Drive |
Front Spring and Axle |
Springs |
Rear Spring and Housing of Rear Axle |
To break the spring is impossible---for the spring to
separate from the frame is impossible, even without the bands. |
Touring Car | $ 850.00 |
Roadster | 825.00 |
Coupe | 950.00 |
Landaulet | 950.00 |
Town Car | 1000.00 |
Prices F.O.B. Detroit. |
In every instance bodies are of ample proportions and
pleasing lines. The finish is superior, the decorations in taste and the general effect
very satisfactory. As in the balance of the car, only the finest materials are employed. No. 1
machine buffed leather, genuine hair cushions and upholstery, strong lively springs, solid
trimmings. |
Figure it Out | |
Passengers | 600 lbs |
Car | 1200 lbs |
Total | 1800 lbs |
Motor 20 h.p., 90 lbs per h.p. | |
Passengers | 600 lbs |
Car | 2100 lbs |
Total | 2700 lbs |
Motor 30 h.p., 90 lbs per h.p. |
and inasmuch as plenty of 30 h.p cars really weigh more than 2100 lbs,
the figures are still more favorable to Ford. |
Vanadium Steel | ||
Figure 1. |
A great deal has been written, considerably more has been
told about Vanadium steel in the last two years. No metallurgical development of the past
decade has instituted wider discussion or excited greater interest. There is ample reason
for this, for scientists are agreed that a proper mixture of Vanadium has a most wonderful
effect on steel, increasing its efficiency to an almost unbelievable extent. | |
Figure 1 shows a Model T crank shaft, Vanadium steel, heat treated, which has been subjected to enormous pressure under a steam hammer. The pressure has almost tied the crank shaft into a bow knot, but there is not the slightest suspicion of a fracture, and the shaft has since been straightened without suffering injury. | ||
Figures 2 and 3 show a Ford Vanadium steel, heat treated, front spring in a capacity test
machine. Figure 2 shows the spring deflected four inches below center, a pressure of 3000
pounds being applied. Figure 3 shows the same spring after the pressure is released. The
spring has resumed its normal position without a particle of set. |
Figure 2 | |
Figure 3 | Figure 4 |
Figure 5 |
These tests were all applied in the presence of a delegation of engineers
attending the A.S.M.E. convention, held in Detroit in July, 1908. | ||
Figure 6 |
Each piece of steel is manufactured from these formulae which we have worked
out. Other manufacturers will use Vanadium in time, but they must first conduct their
experiments, and withal, Ford is two years ahead. | |
Then aside from the Vanadium, each steel part in a Model T is specially heat treated in our
own plant. Heat treatments are accorded all special steels, but few manufacturers have
investigated the proposition sufficiently to determine the exact treatment required for
each steel part. Axles require a different heat for a different period than do springs,
and the cooling process is likewise different. The proper treatment demands an exact,
predetermined heat for a certain exact length of time, the heat to be quenched in a
certain specific manner; all of which can only be determined by careful and extensive
tests. In the Ford steel plant these tests have been made, the formulae worked out; and
each piece of steel in the Model T is treated according to our own formulae, in our own
steel plant, by our own engineers, and under the direct supervision of Mr. C. H. Wills,
acknowledged as an authority on special steels. |
FORD MOTOR COMPANY Detroit, U. S. A. BRANCHES | |
BOSTON, 147 Columbus Ave. |
KANSAS CITY 318 E. 11th Street |
BUFFALO, 727 Main Street. |
NEW YORK CITY, 1721 Broadway. |
CHICAGO, 1444 Michigan Ave. |
PHILADELPHIA, 250 N. Broad Street. |
CLEVELAND, 1914 Euclid Ave., S.E. |
ST. LOUIS, 3669 Olive Street |
DENVER, 1556 Broadway. |
SEATTLE, 532 19th Ave. North. |
DETROIT, 268 E. Jefferson Ave. |
EXPORT DEPT., 18 Broadway, N. Y. |
PARIS, FRANCE, No. 6 bis, rue Auber. |
LONDON, ENGLAND, 117 Long Acre. |
Canadian Trade Supplied By The FORD MOTOR CO., of Canada, Ltd. WALKERVILLE, ONTARIO. Branch-TORONTO, ONT. Dealers in all principal cities and towns of the United States and Canada and the important cities of every foreign country. Standard Manufacturers-American Motor Car Manufacturers' Association. |