I am curious if there are any Pre model T (pre 1909) forums out there? I know there are fewer of these years of Fords around than the Model T. How often do they come up for sale? Are most restored at this point?
http://www.earlyfordregistry.com/
Jason,
There is one site devoted almost entirely to pre-T Fords.
http://www.earlyfordregistry.com/
Early Ford registry is affiliated with both the Model T Ford Club of America and the Horseless Carriage Club of America. Both of those national clubs do have links somewhere in their websites (they can sometimes be hard to find). I believe it is found on the "Chapters" list in the MTFCA and the "Affiliated Registers" list under "Who We Are" on HCCA's home page.
HCCA also has a forum. It is not very active, and most of it is about non-Fords. However much of it is interesting, and sometimes they do have early Ford stuff there.
A lot of regulars on this site also have earlier Fords, and there is quite a bit of activity here for them. Some posters preface topic lines with "OT" (Off Topic) to indicate that the thread is not specifically model T. Many of us here think those threads are on topic regardless because they do relate directly to the history of the beginnings of the model T. "OT" is, however, a good idea. Some people prefer to hold a hard line on what is a model T.
The Early Ford Registry is fairly active for a national size registry of a limited number of cars. Several members are quite passionate about their cars and participate in other major Horseless Carriage activities, sometimes as their own sub-group. They put on an impressive showing at the annual New London/New Brighton meet and the Old Car Festival most years. I always look forward to reading the tour reports and photos.
This is usually a lean time of year for forum activity. Otherwise, Rob H, Hap Tucker, or Tim K would probably have responded by now.
Pardon my curiosity. Do you have a pre-T? It is one of my life's desires that I shall probably never realize. But I still enjoy reading about them.
Drive carefully, and do enjoy the holidays! W2
Jason,
Like MTFCI, the Early Ford Registry site recently changed hosts (?) and the previous forum threads are gone. However, the Library feature is working, and includes past newsletters along with other articles and period information about 1909 and earlier Fords. Just click on the link John posted above and go to "Library." To go directly to past newsletters, click the link below:
http://www.earlyfordregistry.com/members1-news.html
The most prevalent pre-Ts that come up for sale seem to be N, R and S models. All three have the same chassis, with many features similar to the Model T. Between 1906 and 1908 about 16,000 NRS were sold, making them the most numerous Fords prior to the Model T.
Rob
Wayne,
I was typing while you were posting your response. I'm slow, but still here.....
Merry Christmas,
Rob
I posted a report of the New London-New Brighton tour on the HCCA website. As Wayne says, it's not specifically a pre-T Ford tour - I drove a one-lung Cadillac, and the fellow I shared a trailer and tow vehicle with drove a Stanley Steamer - but I included some pictures and comments about the alphabet Fords. I'm too computer-illiterate to know how to post a link on this website, but:
1. Go to hcca.org
2. Click on "Discussion Forums", a little red rectangle at the upper right of the home page.
3. Click on the middle category, which is something like "Tours and Swap Meets".
4. Find the tour you want to read about.
Actually, I've written up several HCCA tours I've been on. The NL-NB isn't an HCCA tour, but almost everyone on it is an HCCA member, so there's quite a bit of interest. Enjoy!
Gil Fitzhugh the Elder, aka OldCarFudd
Hello Gil!
Hopefully I can provide a link to the Tour Reports, from here, a viewer should be able to find many interesting tour reports and photos. Quite a few of them by GFtE himself.
http://boards.hcca.org/viewforum.php?f=3
This next link should make it easy to go straight to the New London/New Brighton tour this past year.
http://boards.hcca.org/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=786
Thank you GFtE for your tour reports! I always enjoy them.
Drive carefully, and enjoy the holidays! W2
Thanks Gil and Wayne. The HCCA also has a coupe of early Ford videos by our own Bob Trevan. Under the "education" tab, one shows Bob's Model N:
http://www.hcca.org/EDU/presents.php?1906_Model_N_Ford
And his Model K:
http://www.hcca.org/EDU/presents.php?1906_Model_K_Ford
Ask around, pre T Fords come up for sale fairly often. There's a nice looking Model N project on the HCCA.org site right now. If you're just looking for a pre '09 car of any make, they're alw available. What you find depends on your budget. A solid, roadworthy car will set you back at least $20k, but you can easily spend ten times that, if you want a big, fancy car, like a Pierce or Stanley.
Fords, Maxwells, REOs and Buicks are all good, reliable and somewhat affordable cars from the pre T era.
I tried to sign in to the Early Ford Reg the other day without any luck.
Do we have to register again now that they have a new host?
Manuel in Oz
Manuel,
Yes, you will need to register. Then you may use several of the tabs, such as library.
Let us know if you have any problems,
Rob
I just tried it and it worked.
Thanks Rob