MTFCA Forum

Can anyone recommend the best place to get a 1913 owners manual?

I don't know if there was one for 1913. There was an instruction book but it reads more like a sales brochure than a owner's manual. The one listed under 1914 seems more like an owner's manual.

To preview different years I use: http://www.cimorelli.com/mtdl/default.htm

Yes, there is such a thing.

Bruce's encyclopedia on disk has all of them.

As Bill stated, the 1913 instruction book is a bit light on, May 13 and Sept 13 are 26 pages each. I have a 1914 Canadian Ford Manual which is 96 pages.

Steve, do you know where I can buy one?

Those manuals are extremely rare. I have one, and it's entirely different than the 1914 edition. I've only seen three original copies.

The originals may be rare but there are a lot of repos out there. I think it was in 54 that there were a lot of copies made
https://www.ebay.com/i/172663730096?chn=ps
http://www.cimorelli.com/mtdl/1913/default.htm
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1913-Model-T-F ... 1849030332

Does the build date come into play? If a 13 was built in January, would it be correct to have a May edition manual? I mean, if going to spend the money for an original it might as well be the correct one. Lang's has one that covers 1909-1915 for $7.

I'm sorry gentlemen. None of the manuals listed above are the original '13 manual. Like I said they are extremely rare.

A member of this forum (you know who you are, and thank you again) saw an article about my car and offered me one. My suggestion would be to write about your car and you too might get lucky. While mine is not for sale a photo might help you to know what you are looking for.

I’m going need a copy of that if your are willing. Dad and I don’t have one of those. We have the latest 12 manual. It’s great that copy number four is almost in my back yard. Thanks for sharing. It’s one thing to have a lot of knowledge and even better when your willing to share it with the rest of us.

Hello Mark you can copy any of the literature from Cimorelly library

Check with the Automotive Research Library of the HCFI in La Mesa, Ca. (619) 464-0301 E-mail research@hcfi.org

Over a hundred years of automotive history at your fingertips!

Its nice to have the real deal and my Dad over the years pick up almost all of the original literature ,but it is nice to have a copy you can handle and not worry about damaging it. Cheers Colin

I just checked Cimorelli's pictures, and he doesn't have the 1913 Manual. He has an impressive lot though! As I mentioned earlier, it is a very scarce book, and is much different than the 1914 edition. I understand there is a 1912 Manual too, but have not seen one or even heard of an existing copy.

The 1913 Owner's Manual is actually called an Instruction Book. It is quite small, only 3-1/4" X 6" and has 48 pages. It fits easily into a shirt pocket. Here are a few photos of an original.

Jim: I have all the '13 literature, including the one you posted above, but as I keep saying the '13 manual is much larger and thicker too. It's the one with all the questions and answers in it. The instruction book above is the one Ford Motor Co. reproduced back in the sixties.

Larry, Would you please show us your 1913 Owner's Manual? I assumed that the 1913 Instruction Book was the Owner's Manual. It tells how to prepare, drive, and maintain the car, such as adjusting the bands, grinding the valves, and even more major repairs.
I am sure my manual is an original, with no indication of being a reprint.

Jim:
Maybe on another rainy day! It is buried in a cabinet with all my other Ford literature, and is a pain in the ass to look for.

This is the 1913 manual, it’s bound like a book and is 117 pages.

There you go Jim! I asked Kim to take that picture, because he has all his stuff in order.

Is the "Ford Manual For Owners and Operators of Ford Cars" with only 55 pages an early edition?

My "Ford Manual For Owners and Operators of Ford Cars" does not have a Copyright date anywhere!

I can not find the "Ford Manual For Owners and Operators of Ford Cars" in the Cimorrelli library either.

I found some "Ford Manual For Owners and Operators of Ford Cars" on eBay with copyright dates and without copyright dates.

The one "Ford Manual For Owners and Operators of Ford Cars" on eBay without a Copyright date is listed as 1909-1912?

AS it was shown to be published in Nov 1912, branch your search out and do a little digging;
http://www.cimorelli.com/mtdl/1912/default.htm

Would love to have one! Preferably an original of course, but probly too $$$.
Maybe someday I'll just get a repro.

Let us all know when a repro becomes available!

Original on eBay for $49.

Bet its gone already. I couldn't find it!

So, who got it?

I hope Dan T did!

From my collection, here are NOS original 1913 items, crisp and clean. Also is a 1912 instruction book. I have other 1912-13 items (NOS) in my collection. the dates are in pencil.. 55 years ago. I bought NOS Ford lituraure out of an old Ford Dealer. I have a variety of these. They will go to a museum some day. I do have the small 1910 NOS instruction book. I may have the 1911, I will have to take a look.

inside of the sales booklet 1913

From the 1913 booklet

Inside the 1912 instruction booklet

inside the 1913 parts booklet

I now find that I have two issues of the 1913 Model T Instruction Book. one is the Fifth Edition, December, 1912. The other is a Sixth Edition, September 1913.There are small differences between the two editions. Some of the pages were reset. It seems that the wording in the second edition is slightly different for some of the topics. I find it interesting to have both editions.

So now I've heard of four originals. I wonder now many more are out there? Certainly there must be many more?

I know of another one. I am sure there are more out there.