For the Experts - Ford History

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For the Experts - Ford History

Post by Been Here Before » Thu May 28, 2020 2:12 pm

According to the current Model T Ford reference book, Model T Ford, McCalley, the Model T made its first appearance 27 September 1908.

My question, what constitutes the first Model ? Is a Model T the chassis and running gear, less a body? Or is a Model T a complete car appearing with Model T running gear and a body?

The Horseless Age for 1908 (1 April) carried an announcement that for 1908 Ford was to introduce a new line of cars known as the Model T. The car will be a four passenger machine with a touring car body for $850.

Later, in May 1908, Horseless Age published a special on Taxis. Listing all available makes for the year 1908, with a list of specifications. In the list was the Ford Taxicab, described as having a 3 3/4 inch bore and 4 inch stroke, rated at 20 horsepower. dual ignition jump spark and low tension magneto. The magneto being part of the flywheel. tyres 30x3 front and 30by 3 1/2 rear. Two brakes, one service on the transmission and a second emergency of the rear wheels. The body of the Ford Taxi is that of a regular landaulet.

Question did the Model T Ford make it's first public appearance before being sold to the public as a taxi prior to September 1908?
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untitled1908fordapril1.JPG
Scanford1908taxi.jpg


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Re: For the Experts - Ford History

Post by ModelT46 » Thu May 28, 2020 4:43 pm

Ford was promoting the Model T early in 1908, a brochure was sent to the dealers in about June of 1908. The ilustration of the Ford Taxi is of an NRS, but the description is of the T (of the yet available Model T). There were several pilot Model Ts made in the fall of 1908. Henry drove one on a trip in the fall. We do not know if any of the pilot models became model T number one. The build sheet for number one indicates the engine was replaced, so number one was driven. We do not know what happened to number one.

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Rob
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Re: For the Experts - Ford History

Post by Rob » Fri May 29, 2020 9:35 pm

Things I know and think I know.

This October 1907 Motor World article describes the early Model T prototype in some detail. One interesting sentence in the article (bottom of second paragraph, first page) reads “an advance view of them was afforded a Motor World man by Mr. Ford himself.” In other words, a Motor World reporter claims to have seen the three models described in the article.

708198F6-B325-4297-B474-707F66DF4110.jpeg
BA9E8E6C-17E7-4065-BFB8-6CA412C42256.jpeg

Next, an excerpt from the October 1907 FMC audit page. This page shows current model sales (for Oct 1907), and “ 1 Rumble Seat “ and “1 Laundaulet.”
E22488F8-D2EA-4B38-822A-4185FA5A78A1.jpeg

The year end FMC audit, September 1908, includes the sale of “3 T - 2 Laund.”

C45CD6EC-B81E-4861-9063-EF8ADD52F403.jpeg

Excerpt from above:
9A9ADDC7-3A9F-4108-BE10-064B1D385B07.jpeg

Sooooo, according to Motor World, one of their reporters was shown the new Model T prototype in October 1907 by Mr. Ford. Then, the September 1907 audit lists 1 Rumble Seat and 1 Luandaulet (their spelling) sold. Finally, the fiscal year end report, Oct 1, 1907 - Sep 31, 1908, lists 3 T and 2 Laund. sold.
Last edited by Rob on Fri May 29, 2020 9:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: For the Experts - Ford History

Post by Rob » Fri May 29, 2020 9:40 pm

One last thing:

18844AA2-43B5-4812-8A28-686C547D2918.jpeg
Landaulet, Ford, Model NRS style waterpump, with Model T style shoulders and tank on the radiator. Right hand drive, and it doesn’t look like it has the large T style transmission. I think it also has NRS style high low lever on the right of the driver, but I can’t be sure. The car looks very much like the Landaulet drawing in the Motor World article. Could this be one of the earliest prototype Model T?


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Re: For the Experts - Ford History

Post by Bud Delong » Sat May 30, 2020 9:34 am

No expert but seeing as all bodies were bought i would think the chassis would make the model T?? There had to have been early attempts built from parts of NRS cars up dated with experimental T parts added as they were found to work out. A switch was not closed and the first Model T appeared by magic! I think the picture on the bottom might bear this out?? :D Bud.


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Re: For the Experts - Ford History

Post by Been Here Before » Sat May 30, 2020 10:09 am

The two articles fro the 1908 Horseless Age indicated Henry Ford was to release a new model - the Model T. The 1 April notice gives the information for a 20 hp car to be the Model T, and the article on taxis indicate that the current 1908 taxi has the specs of a Model T chassis and running gear.

The question is, everyone is looking for Number 1 Model T. What if Number One was part of a group of commercial vehicles that were prototype Model Ts?

Certainly using a guise of a taxi in the early 20th century would be a way to test the reliability of a new car.

And experts, did Ford and his engineers dismantle the questionable Number One after his test drive to see how the components wore?

So my original question as with Ron ... "The car looks very much like the Landaulet drawing in the Motor World article. Could this be one of the earliest prototype Model T?"

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Re: For the Experts - Ford History

Post by Rob » Sat May 30, 2020 10:19 am

George, Darel and Bud,
Trent Boggess put together a presentation on the first Model T, including prototypes. He delivered to a small group of us over Zoom a few days ago, and has given permission to post it, so this is a timely thread. I’ll start a new thread with his presentation. Better get some popcorn, it is over an hour long for anyone interested.

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Re: For the Experts - Ford History

Post by Atomic Amish » Thu Nov 12, 2020 11:36 am

I just found this thread, and found that the presentation has been removed.

Did anyone save it? I'd like to watch it, if anything to help enhance tours at Piquette.

Thanks!

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