Why is there no driver's door on a 1915 Model T Ford?

Because they were trying to save money on hinges

Most USA Ford touring and runabout cars did not have a drivers door from 1913 to 1925. Many other cars did the same thing from the beginning of front doors (about 1908) until about 1913. One of the reasons was simply that things like brake handles and shift levers were in the way. Doors would be nearly useless on many of those cars. People were just used to crawling across the seat. Passengers were used to grumbling.
Drive safe, W2

Even before the automobile it was customary to enter and exit carriages and wagons from the right side. I don't know if it was for convenience to not get dirty or muddy getting to the boardwalk or for safety reasons. Even in towns before cars were around, the travel would be on the right side of the street. It wood be interesting to know why this got started.

Canadian/Australian T's have 4 doors, I actually seen a club member use the drivers door once but as a rule they are like pockets in underpants, pretty useless.

Kerry, now that's funny!

Like thongs?

That was done before the Womans rights movement. The man would get into the car first then the woman would get in. There was no holding the door for her in those days. Also if they stalled in traffic, either she would get out and crank, or both would have to get out so he could crank the car. Or she could drive.

There is however a safety factor involved here. "The curb side is the safe side" It is safer to get out at the curb, than to get out in traffic.

Safty factor if you driving on the right side of the road (or wrong side depending on where you lived). Anyone have the after market left front door on there car? I have one on the shelf,
May try it on my next roadster . It wound make it easer to work on the trany in the car.

Took is pic at Dearborn 2003 for the big party at Ford. Made a double take, as I'd not seen a Canadian Ford before...rather like that driver's door on the '15

Bob's right. If it served no other purpose a left door would be a blessing on left side repairs. How come everything that needs fussing with is on that side?

I'm going to guess that:

Henry decided a driver's door wouldn't get any use because of the handbrake blocking the exit by being set in the rear position anytime the driver would be getting out of the car. Therefore, he could save a few million bucks on hinge and latch hardware and stiffen the bodies by omiting that door.

I understand that there was some ambiguity as to which side of Canadian cars to mount the steering wheel and so they got a front door on each side to accommodate either choice (again, I'm guessing).

Bob

@fred
I believe traveling the right side of the road came about during colonial times as a sort of silent protest. The british traveling opposite would be forced to go around colonists. Or, maybe that's just an old myth. I do know my grampa told me the story and he was tough to figure as a kid. ;)

The 1911 Torpedo had a door on both sides. I have gotten in on both sides of one . It is not as convenient on the left side but doable.

Herb

Ford USA was always interested in saving money. Note his inquiry below:
MAR 24, 1915 Acc. 509, Letter, Ford Archives Letter requesting opinions as to the desirability of discontinuing the left rear door on the Touring. (ref: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/doc15.htm )

It also made for a slightly stronger body as long as the wood stringers etc. were not reduced in size. And in the English Ford production the right side door was sometimes false. I you took the1915 USA left side tin and the 1915 English right side tin and built a body you would have one with two false doors. The UK introduced their right hand door around 1918.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off

I was once told that in the 'no door' era the driver would get out and be in traffic so to speak. He would interfer or get hit by on coming horse and buggy or other traffic. Hence, solve the problem by eliminating the door. True or not,that's what I've told many on lookers at shows!

Today, it's a bit difficult to remember things which happened before most of us were born, or when we were little children, but remember that most roads were dirt and there were many horses, so put those two together, and you will understand that the left side would be muddy, and full of excrement. Also remember that people in those days didn't have washing machines or wash and wear clothes, so they wanted to keep their clothes as clean as possible for as long as possible. Combine that with the levers, steering column etc making it hard to get in and out from the left side of the car. The other problem was the passenger having to get in and out last. Less of a problem than the first two. So teach the passenger to crank!
Norm

Here is the installation info. for the after market door that you could add. I have one but it is about 3/4 to 1 inch narrower than the profile inprint on the drivers side. will take pictures if interested. It is NOS.

Bob

I have a friend who has one of the aftermarket left doors, with frame, still with the tags on it from where it never got sold.

I had always heard that the roads were so bumpy & the car bodies so flimsy, that it was common for the doors to pop open. Henry didn't want the driver to accidently get tossed out of the car, so he omitted the left door for safety.