Vehicle Description
1915 Ford Model T Runabout
Dateline 1915: Alexander Graham Bell inaugurates the first
transcontinental telephone service; The RMS Lusitania is torpedoed,
1198 souls perish; A category 4 hurricane hits Galveston, TX;
Germany begins unrestricted submarine warfare; Pluto is
photographed for the first time; US Marines occupy Haiti; and Henry
Ford continues to produce up to 20,000 Model T's per month with the
crowning achievement of the 1 millionth Model T being produced on
October 12, 1915 at the River Rouge plant in Detroit, Michigan.
Prior to 1925 if you wanted a Ford Model T pickup truck you had to
have one made or do it yourself as a factory pickup wasn't
available. For consignment and gracing the West mallway of our
Hallowed Halls, a Model T Runabout pickup fresh from 1915. With its
handmade wooden bed, simple design, and fold down vinyl roofing we
have a sure fire winner that will stand out at any car show. The
beneficiary of an older restoration and always a crowd draw is
awaiting you with all its charm and original Henry steel.
Exterior
All standard issue Model T from the firewall forward with brass
accenting on the radiator, lanterns and headlight rings. A simple
doghouse style center hinged hood is flanked by basic flowing
fenders over the front wheels and down to running boards with twin
spare tires mounted on the left and the mandatory tool box mounted
on the right side. A simple body tub is covered with a standard
black vinyl top sans any rips or wear. This top can be easily
folded by 2 people to enjoy the fresh air. On the back we see a
custom constructed wood bed with a nicely applied coating of stain
residing between the rear fenders. A wooden tailgate finished up
the bed with black steel strapping and small taillights below. Deep
end of the pool black paint, (all Model T's from 1914 to 1925 were
available in black only), coats the original steel of this Runabout
and is looking just dandy. The gaps are well minded and nary a hint
of rust is seen. Cleanly finished 30-inch wood spoke wheels with
like new Firestone tires adorn the 4 corners.
Interior
Swinging open the passenger's door and we are met with lightly
textured basic vinyl door panels and a diamond pattern tuck and
roll leather bench seat. A fat black steering wheel with timing and
throttle controls sits atop a slightly angled column and in front
is a full metal jacket black steel dash. No gauges to monitor on
this dash, just a simple ignition box and a few brass handled
buttons. A simple black vinyl Ford logo-ed floor mat covers the
wooden floors and wraps up our interior tour.
Drivetrain
Lifting either side of the center hinged hood allows us to view the
177ci 4-cylinder mill. Based on the serial number this engine was
built in June of 1915 and very well may be the original engine. It
is fed by a 1bbl carburetor on the side and attached to the back is
a 2-speed planetary transmission. A 3.63 geared rear axle puts the
power to the ground.
Undercarriage
Solid black steel makes up the frame and body hangers with just a
smattering of road dirt on the underside of the fenders and running
boards. Wooden floors painted black are also on and are in good
shape. Transverse leaf springs provide the suspension front and
rear and rear mechanical drum brakes are on. A stock style single
exhaust system handles the removal of spent fossils. All looking
good and original down below.
Drive-Ability
Starting a Model T appears at first to be a daunting task but after
becoming acclimated and properly trained it's easy-peasy. On our
test track this car performed as expected from any car of the era.
Performance, braking and handling were adequate but attention must
be paid at all times. All in all, a nice little jaunt in a
Runabout.
A well done Model T Runabout with a pickup truck bed conversion
completed. All buttoned up and ready to show, drive in parades or
even compete in a brass era tour if the mood struck you. A true
piece of American automobile history all wrapped up in a simple
package. Swing on by and prepare for your own Runabout tour.
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.
