MTFCA Forum

Hope everyone is doing well. Lately I have been looking at several different T's and thinking about what body style I would most enjoy having alongside my '25 Coupe. My T is the only one I have experience with, so I figured I should take to the forum and ask seasoned Model T drivers what years and body T's have you enjoyed the most? What specific traits, good or bad, do they possess? Any fond memories involving a specific year/body T? I have had Model A Coupes, and since I bought my '25 I have been interested in getting a '19-'22 Coupe, but there are so many different bodies I began to think perhaps I should experience something other than a coupe? So what have been your favorite T's?

My first T was a 1927 Tudor in 1981. I learned a lot about T's with that car, but I always wanted an open car. I now have a 1926 Touring that I drive MUCH more than I ever did the sedan. With the top down, and the windshield open it's similar to the feeling of riding a motorcycle. (Although much slower. ) You have an unobstructed view of the landscape all around and above.

As far as fond memories, I was afflicted at the early age of four or five riding with my uncle in his 1922 Touring. I decided then that some day I would have one. When I'm out in the 26, I still get as excited as that five year old did sixty years ago.

1919 Canadian Touring. I drive the Roadster on tour, it's my wife's favorite. The open car is great to see all around... The Touring allows friends and family to go with! Dinner, ice cream or just take a curious on looker for a ride.

Wifey likes the Centerdoor because it kinda looks like a dang carriage - and it has bud vases for fake flowers.

I like my ‘14 runabout because I can roll up the back roof panel, lower the top windshield and wear the repro period goggles I bought at the Piquette museum.

Runabouts are nice, and fun, until you want to take a couple with you and your other half out for a spin.
Therefore, I'd get a touring. We haul riders in ours coupla times or more a year, and it is fun. Having the top down
99% of the time is great too!

I enjoy the Tudor as we can put kids in the back without them falling out. It is warmer as a closed car and we have a heater. The coupe is much the same but we are limited to 2 people. The view through the rear window is much better for backing. The suicide doors make transmission and starter work easier. Also the gas tank in the trunk is nice and the battery is easier to get at than the other cars.
On warm days the Speedster seems best and can go a bit faster being lighter and it has an overhead valve head. The fresh air is delightful. We do get wet when it rains.
Our '09 Touring and '15 Runabout have more brass and that is nice. Tops are handy.
I had a C-cab Pickup and a Racer which were much fun in their own way too.
Having a variety of cars is great as we enjoy each one differently. I can't say I have a favorite except the one I'm in at the time. Sure there are others I would like and I will build them if needed.
Rich

This one. Bags of room, heaps of style and well suited to summer driving.
Allan from down under.

Black era touring car. Looks like a proper T, has good space for 4 or two with their stuff, not so fancy as to be concerned about a nick or a little dirt. Fun car all the way around. Loved my 23/25 bitsy touring car. Speedster is more fun in many ways but for an all around T, a touring fills the bill for me.

A touring, a roadster, a Tudor - all about the same.

A speedster is totally different. It goes faster, the wind in your hair (if you have any), the open feeling with no sides, no top, and maybe no fenders is hard to beat. You may think it is like a convertible, but it isn't. A convertible has only an open top. A speedster is open on three sides. And what a way to travel if you are having a bad day and just need to get away. But keep the coupe for days when you want to be in the slow lane.

I'm with the black era touring guys. Cheaper to maintain. Room for friends or family. Not as heavy as the closed cars so a little more power. Top up or down . Top up helps to keeps the sun under control on hot days, and keeps you dry when it rains ( unless there is a cross wind). Top down is just a great way to drive thru the country. You will see stuff that you would never see or notice in a closed car. You will notice the birds in the trees, see the rabbits, smell the honey suckle bushes and other flowers. It may sound dumb or funny to some, but I am more at peace with the world when driving the 27 touring in the country with the top up or down. I have had every body style of cars and also TT trucks thru the years. By far my favorite is a touring. But if I was to pick a second choice it would be a depot hack/huckster style. It checks all the same reasons mentioned for the touring except they can be a little heavier.

Allan

that's a really nice looking car

Them cars ain't good fer much. Cain't haul nuttin inem !

Scott, that;s my Duncan and Fraser wide body 1925 roadster, with two non Hayes rims!!!

Allan from down under.

As far as comfort goes, my '14s and '12s can't be beat. As far as wows per mile, my 21 firetruck or my 14 chief's car are the best. On days where the weather is iffy, we take the 22 touring. And as Burger said, my 22 Livestock TT hauls the most.

Touring. No contest. Had a '27 Tudor too so there's that.

Speedster, no question.

Andy

Interesting question...

My first experience was with a 26 Coupe and we managed to squeeze 3 across when needed. It was also the easiest car to drive and I never figured out why...

2nd was a 25 Fordor that was a literal barn find in Northern Illinois. It ran most of the time, the young family was growing and that part was appreciated, the baby would actually nap in the back seat and I'd get to go for a ride so that he could. Decision was made early to leave it alone as in the first year of Historic Preservation class availability, it was the class winner.

That was followed by a '15 Roadster which was a nice car, almost too nice, like to say about 99% original and definitely low miles. This car was actually what got the T flutters started 20 years earlier when I saw it in a parade. Really tight with 3 across and giving rides at family gatherings became a bit of a chore at around round 6.

Then there was the '19 Hack. Not much to complain about and it could handle a load! From trips to the store, to hauling family about. This all in became my favorite and the one that I still personally steward.

That all said, there was always a plan B, retirement plan. Over the years I had gathered up lots of stuff...an engine...a frame...two beautifully restored front fenders from Hershey one year...a high hood...spindles and suspension parts...a few wheels. When the time was approaching I took a fall from a second storey, exploded my left kneecap on landing, and spent 5 years in some level of rehab. That dream went poof as its even difficult to solo in the Hack.

Yet, backing up for a minute...that white brass speedster that made the rounds on here? The one that had the gal in the skimpy swimsuit and heels cranking? I got to drive it once right after it had been sold but before delivered. THAT is a whole new world at 55 mph on curvy country roads...I actually did say to the owner, any chance to get out of the sale?

One guys view...all of the cars are still under family stewardship...good luck with your pursuit....

Was trying to relocate the photo of the lovely young lady in the white bikini and high heels pretending to crank start a T.

Yeah, you all know the one I’m talking about!

Google is your friend...

...didya see her right thumb ? It’s poorly positioned for cranking ...

George House wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 16, 2022 4:55 pm

...didya see her right thumb ? It’s poorly positioned for cranking ...

No, I totally missed that.

Ah cummon now...someone needs to put on some uh...music.

Her many assets outshine her poor technique.

Black bikini, I thought it was white

The Touring

That's awfully nice of you Mr. Heaman!