At one time, it was thought that most people in the United States rarely ventured beyond 20 miles of where they lived. In 1908, things changed with the introduction of the Ford Model T. In no way was it the world’s first automobile, but it was definitely one of the most prolific. By the early 1920s, its numbers accounted for half of the automobiles in the world. Not bad for a little inventor from Michigan.

What is it?
A five-passenger “horseless carriage,” it’s a simple car that is not so simple to drive. It did result in many forms of standardization, such as the steering wheel and driving controls on the left, where they remain today. (Previously, car controls were placed on the left, the right, or even the middle depending on the wishes of the buyer, and the designs of the manufacturer.) Being the first true “world car,” the Model T was built in Detroit, but also in Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Germany, India, Italy, Japan and Uruguay, among others. In countries where it was customary to drive on the left, the steering and controls were repositioned to the right.

What’s It Up Against?
The Model T goes head to head with automobiles from nearly 200 other manufacturers. Many were coachbuilders working from existing stagecoach or buggy designs that were formerly pulled by an animal of the equine persuasion.

Steam power as seen in the White Touring Car or the Stanley Steamer offered some competition. These “external combustion engine” powered vehicles were an alternative to the new Ford-built “Flivvers” but had a limited range of 20-40 miles, required warm-up time before getting underway, and were potentially dangerous to the driver if the boiler failed.

Racing was a means of proving vehicle reliability, while at the same time boosting sales, and for the most part, the gasoline-powered engines that powered Model Ts and others were far better suited to the task than the other types of available motive power.

Perhaps this is where the concept of “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday” came into play.

Any Breakthroughs?
Innovations were at the forefront of Henry Ford’s designs. Leading the way was the concept of mass production. Opening in 1909, Ford’s Highland Park plant took production numbers through the roof. An average auto manufacturer could produce about 200 vehicles per year, depending on complexity and prestige of the car. In 1910, Ford produced 18,664 Model Ts.

Other ideas to keep things simple included using a single casting for the engine block, as well as a separate casting for the cylinder head of the Model T’s four-cylinder engine. Electric starters also became popular as an alternative to hand cranking, which was a potentially dangerous situation should the car lurch forward, pinning the driver underneath.

Henry Ford fought hard to make sure his “T” was affordable enough to supplant the average buyer’s family horse. Shareholders and company officers wanted Ford to compete in the luxury car range of $2,500-5,000 per vehicle. But Henry had other ideas.

Using the benefits of mass production allowed Ford to introduce the car in 1908, at the price of $825. By 1916, the price had dropped to $360, and production jumped to 472,000.

How Does It Look?
Early models were available in red and grey. But Henry Ford did favor black because it was faster drying, and the quicker drying time meant more cars could be manufactured, which made more profits for the company. We had a chance to ride and drive in the Model T Touring owned by Ed Hovorka of Grayslake, Illinois. A 1923 model, his is an example of the nickel-trimmed Model Ts that eschewed the original brass fittings.

The Model T Touring is built using steel over wood framing, similar to how a carriage was built in the day. Nothing fits exactly, and gaps are wide enough to drive a truck through. Obviously, the concept of fit and finish had not yet been realized.

And Inside?
The inside of a Model T had not changed that much from the day that it was introduced. Plush, for the time period, meant leatherette (pleather?) covered, which was arguably the first tuck and roll job in automotive history. The driver enters from the passenger side and slides across. The more portly driver could opt for the “Fat Man steering wheel,” which, similar to a racing wheel, comes off the hub, thus allowing the user to slide into place and then replace the wheel. Until 1919, owners were required to hand-crank their T to start it up. In that year, an optional electrical system was offered that incorporated an electric starter, new electrical generator, a storage battery and electrical head- and taillights.

But Does It Go?
Yes, in a charming sort of way. Model T owners become so attached to their cars, that they usually named them and referred to them as part of the family.

Driving the Model T is not for the faint of heart. At least not before getting fully versed on the idiosyncrasies of the car. Three pedals sit on the floor in front of the driver. To the left is the clutch (Hi-Neutral-low), in the middle is the reverse pedal, and to the right is the brake. A lever is also on hand which, when pulled, puts the car into neutral.

Starting is a four-step affair: With the planetary two-speed transmission in neutral, turn the key to the magneto indicator, step on the starter button, and once the engine turns over, turn the key to the run position. It’s not intuitive, but it’s definitely easier than the hand crank. Don’t forget to adjust the spark and throttle at the same time. They are located on the steering column in the positions where we find the turn indicator and transmission selector lever (or windshield wiper controls) today.

Release the handbrake while simultaneously applying pressure on the clutch pedal to keep it in low gear. The clutch, by the way, requires nearly the same pressure as that needed in the contemporary Dodge Viper club racer. Remember to apply gas via the throttle lever, and you are off. When you reach about 20 miles per hour, it’s okay to switch into high gear by releasing the clutch pedal.

The four-cylinder 2.9-liter engine cranks out 22.5 horsepower for a top speed of 45 mph. The Model T was one of the first Flex-Fuel vehicles, being able to operate on gasoline or ethanol. Ironically, gas prices were dropping while prohibition was making ethanol impractical. Before there were EPA ratings, Ford tests determined the Flivver was capable of 13 to 21 mpg, depending on the habits of the driver.

The steering is direct, but extremely slow. During our drive, we found the turning circle actually rivals some of today’s best. A three-point suspension using a single, transverse-mounted semi-elliptical leaf spring for the front axle and another for the rear actually aided in the stability of the “T” over the less than stellar dirt and gravel roads of the time. This suspension offered a surprisingly comfortable ride over the bumpy grass field where we tested the car. The wooden wheels, which were black when the car left the factory, were changed out at some point in favor of natural finish versions that set the car’s appearance off nicely.

Why You Would Buy It?
The Old Nag has seen better days, and so has the horse in the barn.

You can’t live without a Garmin and Sirius Satellite radio.

Words and Photos by Mark Elias