I found this photo on of all places "my1928chevvie" website. Then I found another in "old cars weekly" with the same number plate.
David, what distinguishes a Ford as being made in Manchester? We have friends who live in Southport.
The cowl area is highly distinguishable for me. I am sure our British forum readers will elaborate when they come on line.
Here is another view of FF220:
And larger images of FF220:
And you cannot leave out FF53 & FF82
Jim
the last two aint no for with parallel leaf springs, but that sure is a different cowl on the fords. whats the story?
Not sure when they started, but some of the Manchester built cars had a very unique front axle. The one pictured appears normal.
FF plates were issued from Jan 1904 in Merionethshire, a sparsely populated county in North Wales, but not too far from Manchester, where FF220 was built. The mechanical parts at that time would be mainly sourced from the US, but some of the first items to be sourced locally were wheels and bodies. Hence the different body and fender design.
I don't understand the comment about the front axle, I'm not aware of any radically different front axle from the Manchester factory. FF53 & FF82 are of course not Fords and I can't help with identification.
I did a bit of reading last night, and the Manchester cars were lowered 3" starting in 1924. I believe this was mainly due to the redesign of the front axle. A friend in Detroit bought one for a speedster project. If someone can provide a picture, you will see how unique they are.
So, for this thread, it would not pertain to a brass rad model, but the later ones. It is important to remember, Manchester built cars were sent to many other countries . They reached 40% of all ford production at one point.
There is a 2011 thread that discusses the Manchester axle, with great pictures and info.
Tim is correct about the English 'dropped axle' from 1923, but the 40% figure is not correct.
Manchester (Trafford Park) production peaked at about 40,000 in 1920 and fell from then because from 1921, cars in the UK were annually taxed based on engine bore. The T was twice as big as its UK competition. So vans and TTs outsold cars here.
Trafford Park cars went to European countries - the British Empire was supplied from Canada.
Chris, I misread that part. It stated 40% of the cars were made there. I think they meant 40% of the actual parts of the assembled cars.