MTFCA Forum

Hello Folks - I've taken an interest in what was described as a RHD Model T Landaullette. It is a 1915 model and is a Canadian built car, but it went to Australia. So, it may not quite conform to the US built spec if it was custom built there. I wouldn't like to spend the next ten years describing it incorrectly and I seem to have turned up very similar looking cars on a Google search described as either Landaulette or Town Car. Both models seem to have been built at the time, so what is the difference. Maybe some pictures or brochure images would be informative.

Your wise words would be welcome.

Len

Ain't linguistics grand?! And, as I often say, "Colloquialisms, why is it always colloquialisms.
In the first place, different parts of the world and regions of the USA used those terms differently, or perhaps interchangeably. Most people today put modern influences (like modern Lincoln Town Cars) into it. Even back in the model T days, and earlier in the horse-drawn coach era, the terms got used somewhat interchangeably.
However, there is a technical difference. The Landoullette (spelling could be any of about six different ways?) had the rear of the top folded down and back. Town cars may or may not have had the folding rear top (many did not), and most likely had no roof over the driver, which many Landaulettes had a covered driver area.
There are basically four combinations between folding and non-folding rear top section, and open or covered over the driver area. Four combinations, two terms. No wonder they get mixed up.

We would love to see pictures of what you are looking into!

Pictures will come in about two weeks time. Just trying to do the spadework in anticipation of meeting the car.

Len,

Welcome to the forum (or at least your profile says you have 3 postings...).

Ford of Canada, Ford of USA, & Ford of England had similar but slightly different bodies supplied with the cars that were fully assembled at the factory. Ford Motor Company of Australia was not organize until Mar 31, 1925 (ref page 39 Norm Darwin "The History of Ford in Australia." So if the 1915 you are looking at was originally first sold in Australia, it most likely would have been a Canadian produced chassis with either a Canadian supplied body or a body supplied by one of the local Australian body makers.

Ref: sales brochure at: http://www.mtfca.com/books/1909cat.htm

Ford USA used the following illustration to explain what they meant by Landaulet:


Ford USA used the following illustration to explain what they meant by Town Car:

(continued)

I'm still learning how to put the photos where I would like them. There is also an explanation of both vehicles at that same link.

Ford USA stopped producing the Landaulet during 1910 Calendar year ref: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/1911.htm

But the Town Car was continued for several additional years. The USA records that Bruce McCalley had access to indicated the USA did not produce any 1915 Town Cars (ref: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/1915.htm the first chart -- shows "0" Town Cars). How ever, the early photos and surviving cars indicate some were actually produced. Below is from the Price List of Parts and states the first 435 1915 Town Cars used a different style clamp than the remaining 1915-1917 town cars…. Ref Bruce’s Price List of Parts….
There are photos of several 1915 standard Town Cars at the posting at: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/33 ... 1377479817 Note they were also used as Taxi Cabs.

Respectfully submitted,

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Hi All
Anybody else have any close up or detailed pictures of a 15 town car or a 16 as they are the same
I am currently putting one together
Thank you
Andrew

Found a library picture of the car at

https://www.google.com/search?q=model+t ... WfBXJGOWTM:


Couldn't work out how to post it, sorry.

Len

Here are two photographs of a 1909 stuck in the mud.

KP

Len,

When I clicked on your link it took me to the photo shown below. "IF" that is the photo you meant, and "IF" the fenders, hood, radiator, are of the same style that originally came on the car from the factory, it would be a 1917 or later. All those items could be changed out (bolt on items).
There are quite a few photos out there. But if this is your first Model T Ford and if you are planning to drive it quite a bit, I would strongly recommend that you check it out for size. If you have a slender build and are 5 foot 8 inches or so -- it probably would be bad. If you are over 6 feet or like many of us -- getting a little more round than we once were, you will find that the 1915-1917 town cars have less room between the steering wheel and seat than the open touring and runabout cars.

Also if this is your first T I would urge you to check out the English Ford Registry at: http://www.modeltregister.co.uk/ They are a chapter of the MTFCA and can be a great assist in helping you become more familiar with the cars etc. Also the Tuckett Brothers have a great support for the Model Ts in the UK -- see their site at: https://www.modeltford.co.uk/

Respectfully submitted,\
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