Vehicle Description
Ford's brilliant, ubiquitous Model T is so much more than just a
car. Yes, this simple and robust machine was put into the hands of
millions who never before dreamed of automobile ownership, and yet
it was so adaptable it that ranks as one of the most important
inventions of the 20th century. Henry Ford's development of the
moving assembly line was so significant that it is held in the same
regard as the likes of Alexander Graham Bell's telephone and Eli
Whitney's cotton gin as the most influential advancements in
American Industrial history. Even when the ingenious production
methods are taken out of the equation, the Model T stands proudly
as a truly versatile machine that could be modified for countless
tasks beyond simple transportation. From racing cars to farm
implements and industrial machinery, the Model T could do it all.
In the time of the Model T, the easiest way to get from city to
city was by train. A road network had yet to be developed, and
automobiles were not yet feasible for long-distance travel. Once
people arrived at their destination, there were no rental cars and
taxi cabs only existed in the largest of cities. That left the
average American with two alternatives: walk or take the street car
if there was one. The solution came in the form of the station
wagon, or alternately "depot hack". These vehicles were typically
sent to pick up visitors and their baggage at the stations to bring
them back to hotels. This quickly gave rise to a new cottage
industry, as wagon builders would take a truck or large-car chassis
and add a simple wooden body with multiple seats and room for
luggage. Henry Ford was sharp enough to realize the profit in
aftermarket accessories and soon began offering customers his own
variety of options they could purchase directly from their Ford
dealer to help their T meet whatever demands they had for it,
including depot hack bodies. Due to the amount of wood required to
build standard Model T bodies, Ford began acquiring vast tracts of
hardwood forests in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. With access to
seemingly endless supplies of hardwood, it made perfect sense for
him to utilize this resources in building and selling the wood
depot hack bodies that had been previously handled by the
aftermarket, effectively killing off the competition in the
process. This 1927 Model T Depot Hack is a charming example that
wears an older restoration that has taken on a nice patina over the
years. It has not been over restored, instead maintaining the right
amount of rugged appeal the Model T possessed when new. This car is
from the final year of Model T production, and it is properly
presented with simple black paint on the fenders, frame, hood and
radiator. The wood presents in very good condition throughout,
appearing to be largely original with good fit of the doors, and
typically for a depot hack, lacking much in the way of weather
protection. The Model T was as much a tool as it was a motor
vehicle, and as such, things were kept simple when it came to
decoration. Brightwork is limited to nickel headlamp rings, wheel
caps, and a MotoMeter, while the accessories include pair of
carriage lamps, and a Klaxon horn, with a nice touch being the
period New York registration plate. This Model T is mechanically
sound, the simple and robust 176 cubic inch L-head engine and
planetary transmission being in good working order. It features
electric start and has been upgraded with a distributor ignition
system for more reliable running. Wooden "artillery" wheels are
shod with all black tires which are in good condition. The
four-cylinder's 22 horsepower is more than adequate to get the T up
and chugging along without much effort. Engine detailing is
average, showing some signs of use but overall tidy and
well-presented. A pair of bench seats allows room for four or five
passengers, with room in the rear for luggage. The vinyl upholstery
is in good condition, as are the rubber lined floors. A delightful,
enjoyable period piece, this Model T is ready to load up with
passengers for runs to the railroad station, freight depot... or
perhaps just your favorite local ice cream shop.
