Vehicle Description
1914 Ford Model T Touring
Henry Ford wasn't the inventor of the modern automobile. That would
be German engineer Karl Benz. But the Model T, which first rolled
out of Ford's Detroit factory in the late summer of 1908,
revolutionized transportation. The "Tin Lizzie" was the first
affordable horseless carriage, the one that middle-class families
could save up for. The first Model T cost $850 but, by the time it
went off the market in 1927, Ford's efficient assembly-line
production had knocked the price down to $260. Over 15 million
Model T Fords were sold, a record that stood until the Volkswagen
Beetle finally passed it in the 1970s. Part of the enduring myth of
the Model T is that all of them were black. "Any customer can have
a car painted any color that he wants," Ford described his policy
in his 1922 book My Life and Work, "so long as it is black." It's
true that the Ford Motor Company turned black paint into a science,
using 30 different types of black paint for different parts of the
car's exterior. But when the Model T first came on the market,
customers could get almost any common color... except for
black!
Fire up the Wayback machine Sherman, it's time for a trip back to
1914 to explore early motoring in a Ford Model T. Simplistic in
nature and affordable for the common folk, this T has been
restored, participated in such tours as the Circle South,
originating in Nashville, TN and Circumnavigating The Great Lakes
to name a few. Shiny brass, rust free steel and a clean interior
make up this wonderful historic example, and as a bonus extra parts
are available.
Exterior
Well polished brass leads the way for the front of this T. Brass
bezel headlights flank the shiny radiator shell with its Ford
script showing proudly and a simple chrome bumper hangs below.
Curving front fenders roll above the front tires with wood spoked
wheels and slip downward to a brass step plate embellished running
boards before swooping back up to squared off utilitarian fenders
which hover above the rear wheels and help keep road dirt at bay. A
center hinged twin cowled hood in black steel leads back to the
near vertical 2-piece windshield which is supported by a nicely
stained wooden dash with black and brass lanterns. The
carriage-esque body tub with its left side mounted twin spare tires
presents in splendid form and is covered by a clean black vinyl
roof. Bringing up the tail end is a single simple taillight and
lantern. Overall, the gaps are well minded and the paint, while not
perfect, is deep and reflective.
Interior
Very simply appointed with a black leather bench seat and back
stretching from door to door both front and rear and a large wood
steering wheel fronting the original simplistic dash all in metal.
Door panels are utilitarian black vinyl with some buttoning for
embellishments and floors, under the black vinyl mat and carpet are
wood and are rot free. A fold out hinged windshield is noted for
airflow and the underside of the vinyl roof and its support bows
are well done.
Drivetrain
A 177ci inline 4-cylinder engine graces the engine bay. It has a
1-barrel carburetor, and a 2-speed planetary transmission on the
back. The rear axle weighs in with a 3.63 ratio.
Undercarriage
Amazingly no real rust and just a bit of surface rust spattered
about. Wood is solid, the frame is showing no rust and is
structurally sound. Transverse leaf spring suspension with helper
coil springs on the front are all around as are 30-inch wood spoked
wheels, and a set of mechanical drum brakes on the rear
Drive-Ability
This isn't your father's Oldsmobile, or Cadillac, or anything like
it. Driving a T is an experience in and of itself and this writer
will be the first to admit it takes a whole different level of
skill and fine motor coordination. With the help of a YouTube
tutorial and my diligent and patient partner in crime I was able to
start and even move this tourer without too much trouble. On our
test track it handled well for its design and exhibited adequate
acceleration. Stopping however, with the rear only mechanical drums
must be planned in advance. All in all, not a bad experience for my
2nd time wheeling a T
All in all, a solid showing for this T Tourer. A nice body, simple
interior, and archaic suspension all got us to where we are with
automobiles today. Sherman, how about a quick stopover in Indiana
so we can watch Rene' Thomas beat out Arthur Duray for the win at
the Brickyard.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.