For those of you who have owned many T's, I'm sure that you have a favorite year and or style that you prefer. Would you mind sharing your preference and why?
Touring bodies, because they're lightweight and perform better than the enclosed cars, yet seat as many as five. Of course, driving around with the top down is a lot of fun, especially in the summertime, when the weather is hot—and that's when most car shows take place in my neck of the woods.
As far as vintage, I like the later model years of the stepped body cars, 1911 and 1912. They had as much brass as the earliest cars and as much leather, but some of the bugs had been worked out by then (the closed-valve engine having come out in late 1911).
Problem is, those cars are so rare and precious, it's almost a sin to add things like Rocky Mountain brakes, self-starters, brake lights, etc., so for a "daily-driver," the 1914 Touring would be as early as I would go because the 1913 model had that problem with the over-flexing body.
I own a 1915 Touring, which has that swoopy-looking metal cowl that lends the illusion of length to the hood and I think that gives the car better balanced lines. The trade-off is I have electric headlights instead of the cool-looking acetylene type and my cylindrical oil lamps don't look as antique as the earlier square-corner version.
Considering the above and the onset of the moving assembly line, as well as the $5 day, I think Ford had it right when they chose the 1914 Touring to recreate as the T-100 and represent the Model T type.
In March of 1979 living in Alaska and raising a family I just dreamed of some day getting an old car to putter with. I was on jury duty and one of the people said he had parts for a model T in his yard. My mother was visiting and as I talked about it my wife and mother gave me the money for my birthday to buy the part( Maybe to shut me up.). When I arrived home with my prise I heard a remark between the two, THAT'S WHAT WE PAID FOR! and that's when the fun began. It also came with a pair skies. Not ever being around Model Ts and having no one to help (like the forum) I dove in. That started a love affair with the T and the Snow attachments for then. Here it is 33 years later and I'm still tinkering with them ( none of show quality). I now have a Snowmobile unit, (working on ) a Snow Bird unit, a 4X4 Touring, my original 16 C cab delivery from 1979 and a 23 Roadster PU.
I do all of this for my enjoyment and others amazement. My favorite is the odd-ball put together ones.
Bob
Then
Now and still has Alaska licence plate Historical# 614
Here's my favorite.
Actually, I would go with the 1915 touring. It's a brass era car but doesn't overdo it and make you spend all your time polishing. It's late enough to have most of the early bugs worked out, and is more affordable than earlier cars. It looks the way a Model T should look. And as Fred MacMurray discovered, it can fly.
I'd post more pictures, but I'm on the road and stuck with clunky and infuriating Windows. The pictures will wait until I'm home and can edit them on a Mac in a fraction of the time.
And the answer is..............
Anyone surprised.
Steve,
I think i know where you are.
Enjoy, wish I were there.
Rob
This one is kind of fun...
Mine is the one I have! My 1921 huckster, Nelly Bell. But if I could have one more it would be ether a 1919 to 1921 coupe or 1914 to 1916 touring.
@ Bob McDonald - You may not have had a show uqality T but it was definitely snow quality...grin..
Steve
Now that is a real survivor ( Real barn find )
No plastic surgery or make up. I like it.
Bob
Here is a photo of my two favorite Fords
Touring without a doubt. Had 2 of them. Both '23's. My first T though was a '27 Tudor I bought at an estate sale. What a buy that was. Totally done. Paint, interior, the works. Not my favorite body style but I turned a heck of a profit on it.
I like 11 and 12 Tourings, but I'll probably never own one. I don't know anybody who plans to Will me one, and I can't even afford a trashed one.
I have always liked 14 Tourings.
Used to have an 11 Torpedo. Still love the way they look but found it very impractical for touring in. Had usage of a centre door for awhile but found getting in and out awkward and didn't like the driving seating position. Loved the way it looked though. Had a 13' touring for awhile. That was and is still my favourite T. Wish I could get another. My current ride is lovely. The 26 fordor is comfortable and practical. Great for my wife and two boys. Would love a 15 couplet or a brass radiatored town car.
I think the reason why many have more than one T is, they can't decide what's their favorite, so they go for one of each!
I certainly like my 1922"Kettinge Special Fordor" who have it's charme, but I would also like to have a roadster. Of course - everyone would like a brass and one of my nearby T palls have a 13 touring. Lovely car. And then again - the 1927 Touring is also a sleek car. Not to forget the Centerdoor and the Coupe.
The model I like the least is the late Tudors. And even though it could be fun to have a very early T, I would probably not dare to drive it much and that would be a pitty.
I drive my cars.