throwing a birthday party for the touring car and would like some help in gathering interesting facts. Google is overwhelming and often contradictory. Questions like how many 1913 model T's are left in existence today? How much in today's $$ would it cost? Did any historical notables, celebrities, dignitaries own a 13 T? Any interesting trivia you might have is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
1913 is a good and bad year for the Model T. Production was again at an all time high for the model year. According to Ford News dated Nov. 1, 1920 the production statistic for 1913 model year was 168,220 cars. However the touring bodies were designed too weak by some suppliers, necessitating a widespread retrofit campaign to reinforce the defective touring car bodies.
Henry Ford gave a 1913 touring to his friend John Burroughs.
1913 was the first year that Ford offered a Jack as standard equipment but also first year they offered a top boot as standard equipment on touring and roadsters.
This according to letter to dealers allowing dealers to requisition the factory for these items for applicable T's that were shipped on or after October 1, 1912.
That top photo is a '14 Royce. The '13 roadster belonged to Jarvis Erickson, and was sold to Otis Clinton, who restored it. Don't know what happened to that car.
When we show our '13 I include a list of things that took place in 1913: 1st prize inserted in Cracker Jacks, Woodrow Wilson inaugurated as 28th President, IRS began to levy and collect income tax, Kansas legislature approved censorship of motion pictures, Brooklyn Dodger's Ebbets Field opened, Gideon Sundback of Sweden patents the first zipper, Harry Green runs world record marathon in 2:38:16:2 (current record is 2:03.38) First pilot to parachute from an airplane, Federal income tax signed in to law at 1 per cent, first modern elastic brassiere patented, Panama Canal opened and that was the year my father-in-law was born
Wikipedia and historyorb have a ton of information and even a day by day breakdown of events. My wife and i have recently put together a display for our '12 that includes births/deaths, general economic info, and obscure/important world events as well as a perspective on how long ago that really was, ie.. # of years before or after a world event people can relate to. I was inspired to put it together after reading what Bob Coiro had written about his experience at a show with a teacher and students. Thanks Bob
John- my info says cracker jacks first started adding prizes in 1912..... Lol
Looks like you are correct Ron. I went back to check and 1912 is the correct year they first put prizes in the box. Does that mean I will have to change my sign that I show with the car?
Great looking 1913 runabout but the upside down horn would drive me crazy until the day I turned it right way up and re - drilled the mounting screw holes.
The 1913 steering column is unique in that the lower bolt (on the right) that goes through the firewall is offset. This was the only year that I know of that does this.
John- i dont think anyone would know the difference, well except me. I also have added interesting facts such as...built 47 years after the end of the Civil War and 16 years before the first sale of packaged sliced bread, and 61 years before rhe first mobile telephone call, just to give some perspective on age
Royce, I know the horn is upside down, however that's the way it was when we found the car about a year ago and I just didn't want to drill new holes. Not many folks know the difference anyway.
Although not specific to Model Ts, I do have a 1913 history page on the Brass-Nickel Touring Region web site. To access the page, go to SPECIAL FEATURES on the top menu; click on AH-OOO-GA TIMES; and finally click on 1913.
Here you will find:
-By The Numbers (Dow, US Population, Avg. Income, etc.)
-Cost of Living facts
-New Makes in 1913
-1913 Model Year production (top 8)
-Mileposts of Automobile History-In the US, US Manufacturers and From Around the Word
I have more years to post just as soon as I find the time-00,02,03,05,07,09,19,24,25.29,30 and 34.
Enjoy.
PS- you can find the Brass-Nickel web site at http://www.bntraaca.org/.
Judy
That Rose N Dale red 13 is outstanding beautiful.
I find it odd that these T's can capture such grace.
Charley
Not only is the horn upside down on Johns car, but it is a '15 horn!
This is an inflation calculator created by the govt. Just plug in how much the car was new!
http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl
forgot to post the link...
I have not seen a car ferry just like that one before. 7:>) Fairly simple. How did they load it?
Unload? Looks safe... at least no one's riding in the car.
I'm gonna go shoot myself
John, you will not have to change the sign...just buy an older car!
Fact: 1913 came after 1912 and before 1914.