Vehicle Description
1918 Ford Model TT Truck
The Ford Model TT is a truck made by Ford. It was based on the Ford
Model T, but with a longer wheelbase, and a heavier frame and rear
axle, giving it a rating of 1 short ton. Initially the trucks were
sold as a chassis and the buyer needed to fit it with whatever they
wanted.
For consignment, a first year of production Model TT truck chassis
and custom made cab and bed. Simple but effective getting the goods
from point A to point B, and shielding the driver from the elements
with a wood box for the cab. This truck comes to us in fair
condition.
Exterior
32-inch wood spoked wheels wrapped in 32x4.5 tires allow this frame
to roll down the road. A black painted cowled hood, transverse leaf
spring suspension for all the world to see, a single headlight on
either side of the radiator cowl, and curvy front fenders above the
big wheels that end in a running board/step into the cab. The cab
is solid maple wood with some stained black wood panels on the
sliding entry doors. It has a curved roofline and some metal to
help preserve the wood from the elements as trimmings also in
black. A rear roll canvas "shade" is on the back and the windshield
will swing inward from a central dual hinge for airflow. On the
back is a wood fabricated long bed and tailgate. This is painted
black and shows some surface rust and peeling paint. The actual bed
floor is oak, and has also been painted black, and presents in good
condition with no rot or even large dings.
Interior
Inside the wood cab we see furring strips with wood crossmembers
for the roof framing. This floats above a bench seat which has a
black padded cushion. The floorboards, (literally), cover the
bottom of dash front. The dash is very simple with the ignition box
and steering column coming out to reach for the driver. These early
Fords are a trick to drive with the 3 pedal setup, which this truck
has. Starting involves the turn of a key, then trudge outside to
the front, where you will need to crank it to start it. And it does
start!
Drivetrain
Under the hood is a standard 177ci 4 banger flat head mill. It
codes out from 1919 so is not original to this truck. There is a
1-barrel carburetor feeding it fuel, and a 2 speed planetary drive
and 3.73 rear axle.
Undercarriage
A solid rust free metal frame has some extra wide planks on top to
support the bed and cab. Transverse leaf springs are in each
corner, and a band in the transmission brings the car to a stop and
should an emergency arise, the parking brake operates the rear
mechanical drum brakes.
Drive-Ability
it's like trying to do the Charleston while loading a musket after
a big night at the speak-easy. A pre-1919 Model T is even more
difficult to drive due to its lack of an electric starter, and the
process of turning the crank to start the engine by hand might just
snap your forearm like a dried-out branch if the engine backfires.
But thankfully our consignor has an electric starter installed so a
mere press of the floor button and the 4 popper roared to life. It
starts and runs great, no land speed records but it's a truck,
which will have plenty of power to go where you want, and all with
around 1 ton of bed capacity. Quite the experience and quite fun to
say the least.
An example of early pickup trucking, and the forefather to a Ford
dynasty of trucks which goes on even today. Ford sells more trucks
than cars, and an F150 is the best selling vehicle in the US. Quite
the morsel of history here ripe for the picking. Definitely a "turn
crank!' an example that runs great.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 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.
