Henry Ford began selling his first car, the original Model A, in 1903. With each revision of his car came a new letter designation: Model-F from 1905-06, Model-K from 1906-08, Models-N/R/S from 1906-09). In 1908, he began producing the Model-T.

The Model T was then produced from 1908-1927. Although there were numerous design changes over its 19 year production run, none of the changes were significant enough to call for a new model designation (until 1928, when Model-T production completely ceased and a new Model A appeared).

The design of my 1923 Model T Touring model offers up a lot of Ford design trivia, improvements, and hints of his response in later years to dealing with competition such as Chrysler, the Dodge Brothers, and General Motors.

My car has an electric starter (first introduced as an option in 1919), kerosene parking lights (typically deleted by the factory for cars sold with electric starter, and an ignition locking switch down below on the coil box mounted to firewall. From the kerosene lights,  it is most likely that my car left the factory without the electric starter option. The original tail light would have been kerosene too. (Model T’s never did offer a brake light.)

Other characteristics that changed over the years: no factory bumpers (but first offered as a dealer installed accessory in 1926), a closed wall where a driver’s door might be (driver’s door first offered in 1925), and the 2-man top was replaced by a 1-man top in 1923.

From 1908-1927, 15 million Model T’s were produced. This single-model production total was only surpassed in 1972 by the Volkswagen beetle.

Although my “T” was complete…

Correct upholstery is available for each year of Model T.

Harnesses, switches, lights

Tire sizes, tubes, jacks, 

The Model T Touring model never had a windshield wiper.  Closed models (the ones with solid tops and glass side windows) first had windshield wipers in 1924. The upper half of windshield on Touring models folds down, but I’ve been told that was primarily to skip using the windshield when it got covered with rain or mud. While looking over the lower fixed portion of windshield, front seat passengers would still have some protection from the rain and mud.

Wearing a car coat was always recommended to avoid the dust of a dry road or adverse weather, keeping in mind that a windshield was not even offered on the original 1903 Model A. 

Seat Belts are an excellent addition to any vintage car. It’s not unheard of for an occupant to be fly out of the car going over a bump. Door latches can easily open and a seat belt will help assure that no one falls out.

Safety Glass was not introduced until the 1928 Model A Ford. Even then, safety glass has continually improved over the years and a 1950’s car can benefit by replacing the windshield by today’s standard.

A Model T’s top speed is about 40mph and it’s more commonly driven at 30-35 mph. Nonetheless, with minimal braking and no shock absorbers, seat belts and safety glass are probably a good idea for ice cream runs..

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The original Model T of 1908 came with acetylene carbide gas lamp headlights.  

In 1915, the magneto system providing spark to the engine was upgraded in order to run electric headlights. The brightness of the magneto driven headlights varied according to the speed of the engine. I understand that at an idle, the magneto lights were barely a glow.

In 1919, a battery, generator, and electric starter were offered as an option for the first time.