My Christmas Present to Me

[rnwilliams]

Wanted to share my new ride. She is a beauty. 1911 Model T Torepedo.

[Rob]

Wow! Looks great. Merry Christmas.

[Bill Robinson]

Boy! You went overboard on that one!

[Tbird]

Very nice! Enjoy it!

[George House]

Shes gorgeous !! Lotsa bling bling to shine but I see you must be used to it. Love the wires

[rnwilliams]

Was not sure about the wire wheels myself but they are growing on me. I considered going back to its original wheels. What do ya'll think?

[got10carz]

I feel the wire wheels make a car look sportier, racier. Wood makes them look older. Torpedoes look good both ways. It's your car, do what makes you happy.

[RajoRacer]

I like either, depends on the car, I guess.

[KeithG]

Ricky, Congratulations!!! That sure looks like a very nice T.
Personally, I like wood wheels on the earlier T's, but it's your car.....
Keith

[ThreePedalTapDancer]

Very nice.

[Sean Butler]

Oh, boy. Is that nice. Congratulations and Merry Christmas!

[Mike Lebsack-Iowa]

I like the car. I like wood wheels but I love those wire wheels but hey I am biased because I make those wire wheels.

[rnwilliams]

I plan on showing this car with my 1912 touring and my 1912 delivery, both have wood wheels with white tires. All painted and stripped the same. I kind of like the sportiness of these wire wheels but I was thinking about all three cars matching. I really value all of your opinions.

[Wayne Sheldon]

Was not sure about the wire wheels myself but they are growing on me. I considered going back to its original wheels. What do ya'll think?

For whatever it is worth? I tend to be somewhat of a traditionalist. I have spent a lot of time closely studying original era photographs, and tend to view what is or isn't correct through them.

I sometimes joke on Tom Rootlieb's threads about his trying to change my opinion by coming up with so many era photos showing model Ts with wire wheels! However, the fact remains, that before the introduction of the factory wire wheels for the 1926 model year, wire wheels on Ford factory bodied model Ts were not common at all! Before Tom R began his many threads with a bunch of era photos each, I think I could have counted all the photos I had ever seen of pre1926 era photos of factory bodied model Ts with after-market wire wheels on them on all my fingers and toes with one foot left over. I think Tom R has about doubled that number. Still, out of the couple thousand era photos on my computer? A bit over maybe thirty cars with after-market wire wheels isn't many.
When it comes to brass era model Ts? The 1915 touring car that Edsel drove from Detroit to San Francisco for the Pan-Pacific Exposition shows up a lot! But it was only one car no matter how many of the photos of it are shown over and over again. Frankly, (other than Edsel's 1915?) I doubt that I have seen more than a half dozen brass era photos of factory bodied "production" model Ts with after-market wire wheels. They were made. They were sold, and people did buy and use them. They simply were not common in that era.

Your new car looks great! And the wire wheels certainly make it more sporty looking.
I can see oversize brakes. Does it have a Ruckstell? Upgrades to the engine? Unless I was making it an HCCA pure model T (and believe me, half the model Ts used in the HCCA aren't!)? I would be tempted to keep it with the wire wheels. Even though I know they are technically wrong.

[rnwilliams]

It does have its original engine and it also has a ruckstell and rocky mountain brakes. I'm also wrestling with taking all that back to stock.

[JohnM]

Was not sure about the wire wheels myself but they are growing on me. I considered going back to its original wheels. What do ya'll think?

It's a beautiful car, the wheels fit because a young professional would spend more to spiff it up. Not so much on a sedan. What father of four and a mortgage would splurge on such bling?

[Mopar_man]

Very nice find. Beautiful car!!

[Wayne Sheldon]

It can be a tough decision. Safety and practicality versus original era correctness. I have had a few model Ts with just a minor upgrade to the brakes. Small drum, cast iron shoes with a hard lining (I think still available from the dealers?) IF (big IF?) properly adjusted are basically adequate. They can wear a bit fast, requiring adjustment and eventual replacement. However, IF (that big if again?) properly adjusted can lock the rear wheels, and I at least find their control to maximize braking ability just short of locking the wheels to be manageable. Yes, I have used them successfully in panic stops on several occasions.
For me, the "originality factor" for brass era Ts makes using the small drum inside lined shoes (cast iron with hard lining shoes only!) to be a workable choice. It maintains the original appearance and provides adequate braking. As with any antique automobile, some extra care is required to adjust one's driving habits to allow for the car's limitations.
My second preferred option is small drum outside band brakes. A bit less offensive appearance-wise than the large drum brakes. But with slightly better braking than the lined cast iron inside shoes.

If you want the car to appear pretty much as it did in 1911? Then proper wooden spoke wheels and inside small drum brakes is the way to go. If you would like to impress most people today? You can't beat the wire wheels and larger brakes.

[rnwilliams]

Thank you Wayne for your input. Personally, the biggest thing I don't like the looks of, is the brakes. I might deal with that soon and leave the wheels as is for now. It does look racy. All my friends like it as is. Just need some warmer weather now.

[tvw]

I think the wheels look great on that beautiful car, a proper upgrade for such a fancy T!
Sure is green for this time of year out in Tenn

[ModelTSpeedster]

The wire wheels complete the car and add an extra degree of safety! A beautiful car with a period correct accessory!

[WayneJ]

I love your car. A few weeks ago another forum member posted photos of his new Torpedo under Subject line "Torpedo". His Torpedo also had wire wheels. His wheels are painted Grey to match the pin stripes. You might check out his Torpedo photo to see what your car would look like with Grey wire wheels.

[RGould1910]

I personally would opt for painted wood wheels. I'm not a fan of either wires or natural/stained wood wheels. That said, they are a real pain to paint smooth like a body.

[Gracie'sDad]

You must have been an especially good boy!

[Rich P. Bingham]

I hope the previous owner let you know, her nick-name is "Chabela" (from "Isabela").
You are very fortunate ! For my vote, I'd also prefer wood spoke wheels and small drum brakes. The 1911 torpedo is the reason I fell in love with Model Ts at the age of five.

Congratulations on a wonderful acquisition ! May she always give you much satisfaction rolling on either type of wheels.

[SurfCityGene]

Wow, what great cars!! I think the wire wheels looks good on the '11 Torpedoes since they're more of a racy design. On the '12 Torpedo I prefer the wood wheels and of course the period correct look of the small drum brakes even though they might have brake bands around them. Of course I a little partial with my own '12.

Enjoy the cars and get out and drivem!

[Duey_C]

And a very Merry Christmas present!
Perhaps quieting the color of the wires might help?
Gorgeous Torpedo.

[Loftfield]

When asked when automobile racing began. Henry Ford is said to have quipped, when the second car was finished. On the same page, after-market upgrades likely appeared about the same time. The question then develops as to just what "original" means. Wire wheels from the factory are highly unlikely, but two days later much more possible. The wire spokes definitely make the car look more sporty and racier, sort of what I think the torpedo ws all about, "originally". I like the idea of toning down the color, maybe even to black, but, when compromising, somebody always loses something. I think we are all jealous of your having to make these decisions.

[Art M]

Beautiful car. I rode in that car a total for probably 200 miles in the past several years. Very nice running and riding.

Art Mirtes