MTFCA Forum

Why are all model T's lumped together?

After all these years why are the Model T's not grouped into Series?

Series 1: 1908-1909

Series 2: 1910-1917

Series 3: 1918-1924
Series 3a: electric
Series 3b: non-electric

Series4: 1924-1927.

They are all called Model T by Ford. The mechanical parts are very similar, with changes mostly for improvement of parts known to be weak or cost cutting measures.
There are mainly 3 groups commonly known:
Brass era, where radiator and trim are brass
Black era cars were black Two main types of black cars low hood with 2 man top and high hood with one man top.
Improved Model T which were 26-27. Almost alike except for a few differences.
Anyway, that's how they have been grouped. All eras had non starter with wood spoke wheels.
The starter was optional from 1919 through 1927 and wire spoke wheels were optional in 1926-1927
Norm

?!? I didn't know they were ?!? ?!? Lumped where ?!?

If one starts noting changes and "improvements", almost each calendar year could be considered its own "series".

Why would 1910-1917 be in a "series"? You're looking at brass to the Nth degree, then "less brass" , then NO brass in this 2nd "series". Hardly a good series to me. I would "series" '09-'12 due to all their brass, followed by '13-'14 since they're "watered down in brass", then '15-'16 in their own "series" as they hardly have any brass at all.

It is interesting how we sometimes like to put things into logical categories. Fun maybe?
I have 2 groups. The cars I have and the ones I'd like to have.
Thanks
Rich

I have been studying the Model T Ford for about 55 years. I have delved into almost every aspect of the car, including design, devevelopment, evolution, production, and marketing. Overtime I have come to think of Model T production as falling into five(5) different periods or eras. First is the Early Brass Era 1908-1912. The second period is what I call the Late Brass Era 1913-1916. Next comes Black Era Low Radiator 1917-1922, followed by Black Era High Radiator 1923-1925. Finally, there is The Improved Car 1926-1927.

A knowledgeable person might point out that there are several sub-periods in each of these eras, and certainly one can go down that path. I tend to think of the First 2500 cars as being very different from the regular production 1909-1912 cars. For that matter, one could further divide the first 2500 cars into cars #1-#500 with the first design pressed steel transmission cover, cars approximately #501-#839 with the second design pressed steel transmission cover, and the three pedal water pump cars running from approximately #840-2500. But after a while the subdivision of subdivisions gets to be ridiculous. Five eras works for me.

Respectfully Submitted,

Trent Boggess

I would further split the late brass into 13-14 & 15-16. Or include 13-14 in the early brass era. They are very different to 15-16's.
Other than this, yours is the best classification so far IMHO.

Trent's 5 classes makes very good sense, for Ford factory produced cars. When you consider the number of independent Distributors and body builders here in Australia, 'black era' cars is meaningless. Categorizing can use the same set of criteria, but the result looks nothing like US production. We had multiple styles of bodies, and colours! Not until Ford opened their new Geelong for the improved 26-7 cars, was there a model T which closely followed the standard Ford design. It all makes for interesting viewing.

Allan from down under.

Rich Eagle wrote: ↑

Mon May 30, 2022 7:02 pm

It is interesting how we sometimes like to put things into logical categories. Fun maybe?
I have 2 groups. The cars I have and the ones I'd like to have.
Thanks
Rich

Now I like THAT thinking!!

It is me. Growing up around British Cars the concept of a manufacture designated series is the correct way to tell the difference in the Model T from 1908 to 1927. During those yeas of productions changes were made visually and mechanically to the car known as a Model T. And certainly parts from a 1927 will not fit a 1908/09 vehicle. I am sticking to Series.

If you like Brass era or Black era fine.