MTFCA Forum

Thanks again for some great pictures! And, here I go again...as I've said a few times before, sure would be nice to know the history of these, since for the most part, it's probably safe to assume these people are all dead. But, life goes on.

Finally !!.. a wonderful collection of yesteryear pics with no full grown adults sitting on hoods Thanks again Tom.
But I’m curious about the 2nd to last photo. That’s a Ford T runabout behind the larger non Ford touring but it appears to have a bit of customization: full length brass windshield supports but curved non crowned rear fenders (‘15?) And turtledeck removed and replaced w/ large toolbox ?? 1914 firewall w/ brass cowl lamps ? Opinions ?... and the man sitting in that non Ford touring has a real dog of a girlfriend

Tom

when do you have time to eat or sleep???

One of the many things that strike me about all of these era photos, are the beautiful fitting tops on Runabouts and Tourings. Very few tops we see today are so nicely fit as the originals were.

Jerry, after doing several thousand a week, I bet they got really good at it.
Thanks Tom for another great batch.

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 15, 2022 11:47 am

One of the many things that strike me about all of these era photos, are the beautiful fitting tops on Runabouts and Tourings. Very few tops we see today are so nicely fit as the originals were.

I wonder if the original top material was thinner and more flexible than what the providers of today's tops uses. Also, they probably didn't have to contend with warped or bent bows at the factory! I had to fight that on two of the three tops that I have installed.

George H, That is a typical mid to late 1912 torpedo roadster. The gasoline tank is somewhat more narrow than the front seat and from the angle of the photo almost totally hidden by the seat.
The 1911 open and torpedo roadsters had totally unique long sloping fenders both front and rear. They needed special short running boards. The 1912 open (or commercial) and torpedo roadsters used standard front fenders and special one year only curved rear fenders which fit with the standard running boards. Although 1915 is often stated as being the first year for the model T to not have flat rear fenders, that statement is not true. 1911 and 1912 both have differing distinctions of "being first" with curved fenders. Although 1915 was the first model year that all model Ts had curved rear fenders.

One of the last torpedo roadsters, huh ?.. Thank you Wayne. I learn something néw here every day.

The 1912 torpedo roadster is one of my favorite factory issued model Ts! Still early, quite sporty. Comfortable to sit in (I have never driven one yet?). Most of the various pieces are standard fit T parts unlike with the 1911. I doubt I will ever have a real chance to have one. But I love seeing photos of them!

Look like a nice set of 60 spoke Pasco ?? wire wheels on the car in the last photo.

John W, One of the bees under my bonnet has for many years been people using wire wheels on the common Ford model T. To my way of thinking, way too many people today put wire wheels on a car that very rarely had them when when it was just reliable basic transportation. As someone that has always been attracted to studying history in era photographs, I have looked at literally many thousand era snapshots of model Ts. And other than the "improved models" beginning for 1926, and some racers and speedsters, in the USA, wire wheels rarely ever show up in era photos.
Something I find interesting about that, is that for a few decades, I could almost tell someone how many era photos I had actually seen showing common model Ts with wire wheels. However, in just the recent few years, Tom Rootlieb has shared I think more such era photos than I saw in the thirty years beforehand! I don't know where he finds them? But I love seeing them!

And, to be clear, I don't really have a problem with people having wire wheels on their cars. It was done back in the day. Model Ts should be restored to represent the many variations of the model T world! And if someone wants their Ford to have wire wheels? Good! Do it! However for me? I like my model T to look like it has been ripped out of a stack of era photos. And by hundreds to one, most model Ts never had wire wheels.

Some historic asides. In Europe, and the Southern hemisphere, wire wheels were relatively much more common. What we think of as the common model T Ford here in other parts of the world was an expensive import! Model Ts were bought because they were rugged and reliable, well suited to the harshest environments. Many purchasers had the money, and fitting the car with wire wheels, having the car painted something other than black, was often just part of the initial purchase. I love looking at New Zealand and Australian variants! And the early British T models are something all their own!

John W, Thank you for your comments! And the probably identification of the brand of wheels!
Tom R, Thank you again for a wonderful group of era looks into our past.

Vast numbers of Ts sold in the USA went into rural service, where road conditions were more often bad than not. They often were used as trucks, and severely overloaded and otherwise abused. Modifications, if any, were usually of a practical nature. The percentage of them that were owner maintained, for better or worse, was probably much higher than cars in city service. On the other hand, many of the aged rural cars were parked out back and thus were not "disposed of" like most aged urban based cars were. A farmer might have several Ts sitting around the property by the 1940s, while most urban T users had no space to keep cars not in service.

In that last picture, it looks like a family taking Grandpa out for a drive in the country. Both men look pretty spiffy and the younger fellow, with the tie, the way he has his arm draped across the center door sill, is obviously very proud of his T and his wire wheels. I’m sure the car was well cared for and safely carried the family many miles for many years. Back then, since their Model T was probably the most expensive item the family owned and was somewhat of a status symbol, many families named their T and considered it part of the family. As such, if they had a few extra dollars, it was spent on the car to make it look more expensive and stand out even more, much like today’s young car owners, lavishing their last few dollars on an accessory for their car such as chrome mags, glass packs, decals, hood scoops, fuzzy dice, air horn, or a rear air foil, to draw attention to him and his car, hopefully by the girls. I was the same way back in the 60’s and 70’s buying my unnecessary accessories from J.C. Whitney until I bought my T, then I had no extra money to spend on my ‘66 Galaxy 500. Jim Patrick

I'd love to have a '66 Galaxie 500 coupe with a 390 and a 4-speed, black with red leather interior... 3.73 posi... police package chassis.... of course, I'd settle for a convertible.