I seem to recall reading somewhere that the height of the T was lowered somewhat in later years but I can't remember exactly when. I even have Bruce McCalley's book in my lap and I can't seem to find it.
Hmmm, lower you say? If any of the T's are lower it would be the 26/27's they're running 21 inch wheels, whereas all the rest are 30 inch as far as I know.
26/27 front spindle axle is higher to lower the car some.
Thanks Martin, something tells me though that it's more than just the wheel diameter. Perhaps it's the profile of the tops. Hmmmm....
So Frank, it's only in the last two years that the change was made?
Yes.
Jerry, there is a lot more to the story. I believe the springs were also set lower on the 26-7 cars. The different front spindles Frank mentioned lowered the front a bit more and the rear cross member had a higher arch to lower the rear.
On British cars there was a different front axle used on their Drop frame cars.
Depending on the body builder, many of our Colonial bodied cars in Australia were lower over all than US counterparts.
All this means that our Ts are as high as you find them!!
Can't see how this helps.
Allan from down under.
Here is a photo of my Australian (Dalgety) Model T and Mitch Taylor's American one. Both cars are 1925 but mine is lower.
Jerry,
Ford put out an introductory announcement to his dealers in Aug 1925. It provides a nice summary of how the 1926 was improved on pages 380 386 of Bruce's book "Model T Ford" (hard cover version Im not sure if the pages numbers are the same on the soft cover version). On page 383 it has a summary of the how the chassis was lowered:
The chassis frame has been dropped one and one-half inches. This has been accomplished without materially affecting the road clearance by lowering the crown of the spring one inch. The spindle has been raised on the spindle body one-half inch.
On page 385 it states the overall height of the cars was changed as follows:
Tudor Sedan 4 inches lower from the top to the road (so 4 minus 1 1/2 give a 2 1/2 inch lower body.) Note the seats were also 2 1/2 inches lower from to of seat to floor. And the body was 3 1/2 inches longer.
Coupe 4 1/2 inches lower from top to road.
Fordor 1 1/2 inches lower from top to road.
Runabout and Touring 4 1/2 inches lower from top to road.
For additional details on the British Drop frame cars please see: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/179374/202362.html
Respectfully submitted,
Hap l9l5 cut off
Link to the Aug 1925 introductory letter to the Ford dealers: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/1926-27H.htm
Respectfully submitted,
Hap l9l5 cut off
Thank you Hap, this helps tremendously!