1923 Model T Ford Touring

Henry Ford’s original “Model A” Ford was first produced in 1903. Over the next five years, the car was continually improved, with each revision resulting in a new Model” letter. The “Model T” was first produced in 1908 (1908-1927). In the fall of 1927, Ford Motor Co. ended Model T production after building more than 15 million cars. That total stood as a record of most-produced car in history until 1972 when surpassed by the Volkswagen Beetle.

Model T’s prior to 1915 are considered to be part of the “Brass Era” and relatively primitive compared to what followed. A low-voltage magneto and four trembler coils generated a spark for the engine’s four spark plugs. In 1915, electric light bulbs replaced acetylene gas headlamps. With electricity supplied by the magneto, brightness varied according to engine speed (down to a dim glow at idle). The single tail lamp and two cowl lights were still lighted with kerosene. In 1919, Ford introduced an electrical system with generator and a storage battery capable of operating an electric starter and supplying constant power to the light bulbs. The electrical system was standard on closed cars, but only optional on open cars until 1926. Model T’s built with the electrical system did not have the kerosene cowl lamps and the kerosene tail lamp was replaced with an electric light bulb. Through end of production in 1927, the cars with electrical system still had the magneto system and a hand start crank as an emergency back up for engine operation.

In 1923, the Touring model’s 2-Man Top was replaced with a simpler 1-Man Top. Cars with the 1-Man Top have a slight rake to the windshield and no vertical support from top frame down to the front seat. In late 1923, the wooden firewall was replaced with a steel firewall. Until 1926, Model T Fords used wooden spoked artillery wheels and narrow 30″ clincher tires inflated to 60 lbs. Steel spoked wheels and softer/wider/smaller tires were introduced in 1926.

A Model T has a 10-gallon gas tank under the front seat and gets about 15 mpg. To get to the tank for either fill-ups or checking the fuel level, the front seat has to be removed. The running boards are 21″ above the ground, offering good off-road clearance and capability of fording streams (like the horse a Model T might have been replacing). To check the oil level, it is necessary to crawl under the car and open a valve (if oil comes out, you’ve got enough). to turn off the fuel when parked, it is necessary to crawl under the car. There is no opening for a driver’s door and later “closed cars” (including the later1928-1931 Mode A Ford) only have a key lock on the passenger side (likely to avoid traffic and mud). The body is designed with considerable flex to accommodate the off-road travel common in 1908-1920’s. The greatest source of flat tires in the early years was horse shoe nails. Just like a horse, Model T does not have a brake light or front/rear bumpers.