The Old Car Festival is an incredible event and one not to be missed! I very much enjoy all the different types of old cars that people bring to this special kind of show. I saw Tom Miller installing side curtains along with the comparison of a 1917 Ford Model T and Chevy Touring. Something I found confusing was when the announcer asked Jon Crane what the horsepower of the Model T is, his answer was 24 hp. I always remembered reading (exactly where I can't recall) that the horsepower of the T was 20 hp. To add to the confusion there was a young woman who shouted out at that point that the correct horsepower is 20. So, I present to you folks that are more knowledgeable that I am, what is the correct horsepower for an unmodified Model T?
Willis
I certainly hope next year more Forum members that have never been to the Old Car Festival will make the trip as it will be celebrating it's 65th year.
Ford advertised the earliest T's at 20 - 22 horsepower. Some advertising shows one or the other, adding to the confusion. In 1913 model year the low head was redesigned to lower compression, and the camshaft specifications were revised to lower peak cylinder pressure.
After 1912 model year the Model T was always advertised at 20 horsepower in the USA, but many state registrations show 22 horsepower.
Not long ago the Model T Times reported the results of dyno tests done at one of the MTFCI tours. There was a huge variation in results, with one of the modified cars registering over 40hp. Even among the stock Fords, the numbers ran from below 10hp to over 20hp. It's not only your mileage that may vary.
All I know is that it is more than a 4 horse hitch and my T move along at 20 to 35 Mph depending upon the wind direction
On Sunday, the same reviewer did a comparison between my '19 Runabout and a Dodge Touring. I announced mine as 20 hp.