Now, THAT is a nice (late) 1912!
Thanks Erich B for sharing these photos!
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
Eric,
Thank you for posting the many photos. Do you know if this one was also taken in Australia as the several you posted at: Old photos, roadside images http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/401774.html?1384591885 were?
I’m thinking 1912 Canadian in Australia but just curious about the location. The car appears to have the same size wheels front and aft which is typical of the Canadian produced cars [and some USA cars had the front wheels changed to 30 x 3 1/2 by the owners so they only needed one spare – but that was not from the factory].
Note the rear wheels have a typical tread seen on many Australian Fords. I do not know when that type of tire [tyre] became available. I remember reading an advertisement for it with a special price for Ford tires. If anyone knows when that tire tread was introduced please let us know.
Wayne,
I believe the 1912 model year had more touring style variations in the body than any other model year. Or at least variations you could see easily in photos etc. As even the 1926-27 touring body that was produced by Ford had changes – but you have to look really close to see them.
Several of us are trying to better understand what time frame the different combinations were offered during 1912 model year. And because it is probably a Canadian touring we know even less about them than the 1912 USA tourings. In the case of the USA 1912 model year, Bruce places the smooth side 1912 with the outside handle on the rear door as being introduced late Dec 1911 or early Jan 1912 [ref page 111 “Model T Ford”]. And he notes that there was a period of overlap in early calendar year 1912 when apparently both styles of bodies were used in production. The modification that eliminated the outside rear door handles came later. Based on that, I currently believe that those smooth sided bodies that did NOT have an outside door handle would more appropriately be called the late 1912s. And I suspect but do not yet have the documentation to support or correct that, that those were mid 1912 production to the end of 1912 model year production. One of my many goals is to some day be able to have a more accurate range of when the various bodies were used during production.
Note at: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/1912.htm Bruce also has: HORN: Bulb type, double twist, all brass. Later cars used the single twist horn, all brass, and then the black and brass (1913 style) before the 1913 models appeared in late 1912. Note the MTFCI Judging Guidelines sixth edition call that a triple twist horn and they do not list the single twist until 1913.
For additional information on some of the variations of the 1912 bodies Bruce’s book is excellent and is available from the club at: http://modeltstore.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/model-t-ford-the -car-that-changed-the-world or on CD at:
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/333725.html?1357665853 There are several forum threads discussing the 1912 bodies. One is at: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/119926.html Like many forum threads it brings up additional questions for us to pursue.
Respectfully submitted,
Hap l9l5 cut off
Thank you, Hap, for the '12 timelines clarifications. I did notice the right hand drive and tire size, and believed the car to be Canadian production. One other detail that caught my eye, is that the carbide gas generator is black. In my mind that would tend to be later in the year. However, I could very well be wrong about that. And being a Canadian production could also make a difference with that.
Ford touring cars did have a lot of variations and changes through the year. Many years ago, a good friend of mine had an earlier '12 that he drove quite a lot. It had the higher firewall (unlike the earliest '12s), but I do not recall which way the doors opened or whether it had outside door handles (it was a long time ago). It was a step side body. I recently heard it has gotten a new caretaker and is expected to be better restored. I do not know the person that has it now.
There were a lot of discussions about the changes through '12. Mostly they were a lot of questions, but at that time, not many answers.
Thank you, Hap, for all you do in regards to model T research. I always look forward to your answers and explanations. I am by no means an expert. But I am still trying to learn more about them.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
I believe this image was one I found in a group from Australia.
Wonderful photo. I'm getting married in eight months and the wife-to be has both agreed and even requested that my T be done for the wedding so we can use it for our limo. I'm finishing up college in three weeks, then hopefully while interning I can get it all back together and put a simple speedster body together for July. I love seeing Model T's used in weddings. Just makes me feel good for some reason.
I would agree Canadian production and probably in Australia. The external door handles are gone around #120XXX for us, so this car is around the May/June assembly.
This car is well used. It already has a broken lower windscreen, new generator, hood removed or missing, home made toolbox, rope over the bonnet and looks like its second set of rear tyres, possibly a vulcanised old tyre case, with the hot poker burned horizontally for grip. It is a lovely photo which we can also clearly see the pinstriping. Thank you for sharing.
Oh, I forgot to mention the aluminium sleeve is also missing on the crank handle
Erich – thank you for adding the likely country.
David – thank you for adding the additional details. I saw the crank and couldn’t figure out why it looked that way and I needed to go do some other things so I didn’t have much time to ponder about it. I also wondered if the box on the running board – if it might have been a picnic basket for use after the wedding? I know for my wife and I we had a picnic basic as we drove away from our wedding in Bessie, our 1931 Model A Ford. And that made me think of that day again. Do you remember any Australian advertisements showing that rear tread with the lines strait across? I’m 90 percent sure I have seen that advertised – and when I checked – I found some notes where Dane Hawley had kindly sent me the following link to a Dunlap advertisement in Australia. http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/40265168 It did not show the tyre – but I believe other advertisements did. If anyone else remembers one of those please let us know. The advertisement stated:
5.000 FORDS
are to be shod with Australian made
Fix this text
DUNLOP TYRES
The Canadian Ford Motor Car Co., after tests of the Australian-made White Tread Dunlop, has decided in future to ship their Cars to Australia and have " Dunlops" fitted out here. The first order means20,000 Covers and Tubes.
This big order-the largest yet placed in this part of the world-is the recognition of quality and service that counts, and it emphasises our contention that the present day Dunlop has no superior in the world for quality and price. There is no need to pay enhanced prices for imported tyres whilst Dunlops are available. Bear in mind the Dunlop gives you the highest quality of material and workmanship, ample thickness of rubber and canvas to withstand hard service on our roads, and the maximum mileage-at a running cost much lower than on imported tyres. Again you save pounds-in the initial purchase. New list on application-let us mail same.
DUNLOP RUBBER CO. OF AUST. LTD. Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Launceston, Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland.
268-274 ADELAIDE STREET, BRISBANE.
One more item on the “I would like to find additional information.”
Wayne – thank you for the encouraging words. Sometimes I wonder if I am just “SPAMMING” the forum – but my intent is to help share information and continue to build the database we have on the early Fords 1903-1931. So many folks share so many good thoughts, photos, and other documentation. Thank you all for helping keep our hobby going and growing.
Matthew – congratulations on the upcoming wedding! Watch out for dark grease on white dresses. A speedster body could work great – as the door latches if greased recently can easily jump out and get the dress dirty. There are two speedster bodies on the MTFCA swap site at: http://www.mtfca.com/showit1/index.html One is a little earlier than your chassis – but with the hood off it should still work. And you could resell the body later.
Respectfully submitted,
Hap l9l5 cut off