I went through all the 1909 issues of Ford Times magazines and there is no mention that i could find, of any information on wide track models. In the first model T parts book, there are no wide track parts available. In the next parts book dated June 1 st,1909, wide track chassis parts are now listed. This scan is a page of the Model T sales catalog released January 1 st, 1909, toward the bottom, next to wheelbase, "60 inch for southern roads where ordered" is listed. So it seems that wide track models were not available when the model T was first introduced, and not well advertised in 1909.
Sir,The Southern model was dropped 7/13/1916.Bud.
Apparently there was also a 48" narrow tread version available in 1910 model year. I suspect the 48 inch version might be to make easier conversion to a rail car.
I am not any help regarding any earlier wide track, or for that matter, narrow track versions available earlier.
I have a more basic question, why did Ford find the need to offer a wide track model? What advantages did it offer?
In the south, wagons had a track of 60" therefore it supposedly made it easier to follow the ruts. KGB
Fascinating, thanks!
As I understand it, the southern track (60") was related to the cotton producing states. Due to the top heavyness of the wagons hauling cotton a wider track was necessary.
Here is an earlier post by Hap, with as normally, looks of great information!
By Hap Tucker on Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 08:05 pm:
Gerald,
Please see additional photos and comments at: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/135963.html
From the posting on the MTFCI site there are some photos and a good summary: http://www.modelt.org/discus/messages/2/2075.html?1221518898
Ford offered a 60 inch tread for the southern roads as early as 1908 (part numbers are listed in the 1908 Price List of Parts but not the 1907 Price List of parts). It was clearly available on the S Roadster – as the wider fenders etc. were listed in the 1908 price list of parts.
From the May Jun 1996 “Vintage Ford” page 26 (used by permission)
by Russ Furstnow
Flagstaff, Arizona
A distinctive and unique Model T, known as the
“wide track” or “Dixie tread,” was produced on a
limited basis by Ford from 1909-1916.
The car looked quite different from a “regular”
Model T because the wheels were placed 60 inches
apart rather than the standard 56 inches.
The wide track Ford was made to be driven in
the southern United States, including Florida,
Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama, as these states
produced horse-drawn wagons with a 60” wide
track. Ford surmised that it would be easier to sell
his cars in the south if his cars would track in the
60” ruts produced by the wagons.
In the northern states, the 56 inch “standard”
tread worked fine, yet when the standard track
Ford went south, drivers had difficulty maintaining
control of their Fords while driving in the wider
ruts left by wagons.
The wide track Ford had numerous parts which
made it unique. Also, this option made the Model
T appear more massive and stable when driven on
a good paved highway-or at least, it was more
stable than the 56 inch standard tread car.
Early versions of the wide track Fords (1909-
12) had wider fenders, aprons and running board
brackets that were unique, yet the fender line was
smooth and appeared to “fit” together. (See Photos
1 & 2.)
In 1913, Ford began to utilize the “standard”
apron and running board brackets, necessitating
the use of very wide appearing fenders. (See Photo
3.) These fenders extended beyond the standard
width running board, making the car look somewhat
ungainly. These wider fenders were used
until 1916, when Ford discontinued this option.
The 60” tread Ford was identified in the sales
brochures as a special order option. It is assumed
that the cost of the standard and wide track models
were the same. This assumption is based on the fact
that Ford’s Price List of Parts did not add a premium
for the unique 60” tread parts over the standard
56” parts.
It is unknown how many wide track Fords were
produced, as no records have been found identifying
the production figures for these unique vehicles.
However, it is believed that a very small
percentage of Model Ts produced were ordered with
the wide track option.
The demise of the wide track was likely caused
by three factors: improvement in road conditions,
decreasing demand, and Ford’s need for stand-
ardization. The quality of roads in America were
improving and the mud and deeply rutted roads
were becoming the exception rather than the rule.
With improving roads, the demand for the wide
track option is believed to have declined.
If you go to the Louisiana State University archives and view the picture at: http://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/cdm4/item_v iewer.php?CISOROOT=/GFM&CISOPTR=928&CISOBOX=1&REC= 7 it clearly shows how the back wheels of the wagon hauling cotton. Those would have been a standard 60 inch tread and you can see that making it 4 inches closer could cause the rear wheels to hit the bale of cotton when it was turned sideways on the wagon.
Many of the companies offered the wide track version of their cars. Metz solved it by having wheels that had an offset hub. Turned one way the hubs gave a 56 inch tread. Taken off and turned around the other way they gave a 60 inch tread.
Thanks Royce, I never heard of the 48 inch tread. Does anyone know of an early 1909 wide track?
Kim, I think there was one for sale in the red field at Hershey this year. I will look for the ad I saw and post where. Also, there were Wide tracks made by other makers before the T. I think that Ford may have offered one before the T.
As far as the last Wide track, I have had a 1917 and later NOS rear fender and have seen another. Never have seen a whole car, but if they were not made why would there be spare fenders? I know where there will be one in the near future. Dan
Dan, I have seen a 1917 wide track complete at a tour some 20 years ago. Also I know of some fenders in Alabama.
Kim, I not sure what you call early, but I know of one 1909 wide track in a barn still waiting for restoration.
I have heard of the early narrow track that was supposed to fit in snow buggy ruts??? Mostly in Alaska???
Jim Finney has several 1909 - 10 wide track cars but I don't think they are what you would call "early" 1909.
Here are some pictures of them:
Late 1909 Wide track touring:
'10 Wide track touring - a nice original, I would have never taken it apart if it were mine:
Frame from the '10 wide track:
Axles and a rear wheel from the '10 wide track:
The gage of snow units came in 38",44" and standard 56" and were also made for the wide track
60". In different parts of the Snow country there were different widths of sleigh runners and the
snow units were made to match. "These areas in general were" Eastern Canada had the 38", New England area was 44" and mid west was 56" with some made at 60" for the South. Although I'm not sure that Alaska ever had anything other than 56". Information from snowmobile, Snow Flyer & Snow Bird advertisements & factory documents.
Bob
Royce. The build slip you posted is for my 1910 touring number 24146 and it is standard tread. The slip shows that a narrow tread was available.
Darel,
What is the color noted on your car's build sheet?
Thanks,
Rob
On my higher resolution copy from the Ford Museum archives, the color reads "green". When I bought the T in 1946 it was painted yellow and had a Pure oil decal on each door. I painted it black over the yellow. Years later, sanded the surface down and painted again black. I did not find "green varnish under the coats of paint. As we know, the dark brewster green turned "black" over time. In Stillwater, MN in the late 1950s, a 1910 came up for sale with original finish. The varnished surface looked very dark, but under good light it had a green tone.