From a newly posted ebay description:

This 1926 Model T Ford "Doctor's Coupe" was unique in that it was created by Ford to specifically target doctors in that day to convince them to switch from horse drawn buggies to cars. That is also the reason it was painted green in lieu of the usual black (prestige).

This vehicle has been through a complete restoration. The engine and transmission have been refurbished, the interior fabrics have all been replaced with materials that "matched" the originals. It has new fenders, running boards all steel-no fiberglass as part of its restoration.The original "hand painted" body was kept intact because of the unique visible brush lines that was the means of painting at the time. The leather roof has also been left intact but was cleaned and oiled with mink oil. The intent was to restore it back to as close to its original appearance as possible. It has been kept in a garage.

Also, unusual for many cars of the time, this car has an added gear (floor mounted) for higher speeds and to address hilly terrains.

Restoration work was done by The Creative Workshop in Dania Beach, Florida who specializes in quality car restoration. It turned out really quite beautiful. The car runs smoothly especially if you like the idea of working a ban clutch in conjunction with a spark arrester. To say children are enthralled by it is an understatement.

If a doctor was the original owner, it is indeed a "Doctor's Coupe". Otherwise it is just a Coupe.
Norm

Hi Stan,
Whoever wrote that description should write a book!

Probably written by an attorney, since it's totally fabrication, not based upon any facts.

i have a model A doctors coupe....was owned by a doctor!

Thanks Stan, I learned much today(?) The restoration shop has the correct name being "Creative Workshops". They can sure create a long story about history and original examples.


Tim Moore

I off hand do not know which early Ford model was marketed to DR's but one was! There you see the value in advertizing,100 plus years later people still say it! Bud.

Bud -- I have an early Ford pamphlet which extols the virtues of Ford cars for use by doctors. It features the Runabout, Touring Car, and Sedan, but there is no mention of the Coupe.

I think the "Dr's Coupe" terminology came about in the 1950's or 60's. But after 50 or 60 years' worth of use, it certainly has stuck!

Thank's Mike! I think Rob need's to jump in? Bud.

It probably goes back to the doctors buggy.
We had 1 when I was a kid that my dad was going to restore.Doctors buggy seems to be a normal term in the buggy world so I guess when doctors went to cars they went to doctors coupes according to these legend creators.

Leather roof ????

Wow!! Thanks Stan! I have a 1926 Doctor's Coupe also and it is also painted Green! I didn't realize the paint was stock until now. This is great information. I'll have to print it up and post it alongside the car at any show I might decide to go to.

And the "Buy It Now" is ONLY thirty thousand dollars.

Warren H.,

What a great prize you have !!

Enjoy...

The leather roof has also been left intact but was cleaned and oiled with mink oil.
I was unaware the roof was made from leather what year was that?

Those type of descriptions are the so annoying.

I really like the coil box descriptions on ebay that say "Ultra Rare - Model T battery box" for a buy it now of $249. Or something close to it.

Remember the guy that wanted $25k for the model t marble base bank a few months ago?

Noel
"The original "hand painted" body was kept intact because of the unique visible brush lines that was the means of painting at the time".
It would appear that you have rubbed all of the brush marks out of your paint

Aww crap! I didn't read everyone's post before I ran out and tore the top off of my Coupe and started to stretch leather over it. I figured if an experienced restoration shop says it had a leather roof I'd better have one too. Now how am I going to get the skin back on the steer before the next cold snap. He was really mad when I borrowed it from him. Well it least it is well oiled so he'll shed snow and rain this winter.

All Model T fords after 1914 were spray painted. Ford made over a million cars a year in the 1920s. Do you realize how long it would take to hand paint all of therm.

I thought Stan Howe knew all about Model T Fords. I think he wrote this satire as a joke.

Actually, I think all metal parts were dipped in paint floated on water in a tank. And I believe the "paint" was Gilsonite.

In case curiosity gets the best of you, here's the link.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Model-T-Doctors-Coupe-/191355888536?forcerrptr=true &hash=item2c8db32398&item=191355888536

Guys,

When a learned individual offers his wisdom, the proper thing to do is graciously receive and acknowledge.

The history of this car goes all the way back to the Civil War, when the negroes were fighting the railroads
for control of the west. Casualties were high and the Model T doctor's coupe was developed to address this
momentous occasion in U.S. history, complete with leather roof and hand painted bodies ... the result of all
those western cowboys and the hand painting skills of the western "indians".

Abe Lincoln set a land speed record in 1862 using a TT truck set up as an ambulance.

Don'choo guys know nuttin ?

Now guys
Uncle Stan would never do anything like that.
AH.

"Brother" Bob

Darel here is the link
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Model-T-Doctors-Coupe-/191355888536?forcerrptr=true &hash=item2c8db32398&item=191355888536

Surely Abe drove his namesake, not just a plain Ford? Not that there's anything wrong with a plain Ford.... the Doctor's coupe discussion reminds me of comments in our area, Virginia, lots of Civil War battles, and you'll always here people refer to pre-Civil War homes as "used as a hospital during the war"...well, of course, in a battle, ANY house had wounded in it....and probably a Doctor's coupe in front, but one of the rare single pedal models...since it was so early..

"ban clutch" may stand for the bands in the transmission, but I can't decipher where the "spark arrester" came from?

Spark arrestors are normally installed on off road vehicles to prevent fires in dry forest areas maybe they got them confused with spark advance.

I suspect the "added gear" is either a Ruckstell or an auxiliary tranny based on the shifter. In either case, it should have at least 4 speeds forward and 2 in reverse. Not enough pics of the undercariage or rear end to see.

With all the hoopla about a Doctor's Coupe, I wonder how many Doctors were single or married with no children, or did their families all stay home ?

Why is it the encyclopedia doesn't tell us whether the brush strokes run vertical or horizontal? How are we to do a correct restoration? I've been asked a few times if my one door Runabout is a Doctor's Coupe.

Bud,
Thanks for the invitation

It looks as though Ford was at the forefront building Doctors cars, at least according to their advertising and articles.

By February 1904 Ford says they will show a coup'e at a winter auto show:



For a March 1904 show, they refer to the coupe as a "doctor's coupe:"



And, by the summer of 1904, Model A with top, windshield and roll down side curtains (can this be called a coupe?) is referred to as "The Physicians Ford:"




Anyone curious about the air cooled car?

From all I have read through the years, I have to assume that there are a lot of Doctor's Coupes around. I think it is safe to say, though, that I own the only Translator's Touring in the entire country....

I own an Engineers 1919 Suburban and Engineers 1931 Town Sedan.

Can anyone beat them?

Fred, I also own a Doctor's touring to go along with my Doctor's Coupe. I also have a Doctor's chasis and several of the same Doctor's blocks and spare parts. The touring is frequently driven to the hospital and office. It's sitting in back of the office tonight! I have used it for house calls frequently. It's also sadly been in a few funeral processions of dear friends/patients.

Fred, there are probably more engineers who own Ts than translators who do....

Does that mean I can say my Speedster is driven by a drug dealer?

Thank's Rob!!Was that from Pates book?? Bud.

Bud,
No, just old news articles. Google books provide a good area to find old car information too.

I thought I had a 26 Doctors Coupe but found out it was just a 26 Chicken Coupe.



OK, Sorry that I have posted this many years ago but it is still funny.

Doctors Coupe's appear to be plentiful but how many Opera Coupe's are there out there?

An Opera Coupe found by Ken Green in 1987 and shown in the Vintage Ford Nov Dec issue had the editor stumped, Were they used by Opera singers or made especially to drive to the Opera? or is there another reason for the name?

Doctors Coupe
Combi Coupe
Four door Coupe
Sports Coupe
Quoad Coupe
Opera Coupe
Club Coupe
And the list might still grow!!!

Here's a list of historical terms used to describe automobile body types:
http://www.chalkhillmedia.org/Museum/historic_automotive_terms.htm

There you can find "opera coupe" but not the good Doctor's coupe.

The Opera coupe name was used for more expensive cars than Fords - you wanted the elegant coupe lines, but occasionally needed place for more than the two-three that fits in the seat in an ordinary coupe, perhaps when going the three blocks downtown to and back from the opera? The Opera Coupe was the solution with extra folding seats behind the front seat

There must have been more doctors in the market than opera goers, because I haven't found any early "opera coupes." Doctor's coupes, as mentioned above, show up as horse drawn vehicles before the name is applied to motor cars.



Stan, this turned out to be an informative thread (as I suspect you knew it would ), thanks for posting,

Rob

Dick - you are right - I saw your translator's coupe comment after I posted the engineer's post -

and I have to straighten something out - my wife informed me that the 1931 Model A is a Domestic Violence Specialists, NH Guardian Ad Litem, book editor's Town Sedan.

That Cadillac Coupe is cute as a bug!