In the loft of one of the many buildings at the Gilmore is Model T Ford serial number 131. This is a two lever, water pump equipped Model T, one of the earliest known to exist today. The tires are covered by vinyl covers intended to reduce the graying effect of sunlight on the tires. Note the linoleum covered wooden running boards with brass edge trim, a feature discontinued after the first 2499 Model T’s. The rear body brackets on the first 2499 Model T’s had four bolts as seen here and the fragile “no rivet” 1909 rear axle assembly as used on the first 10,000 cars. Notice there is not a pinion bearing housing, the driveshaft was supported at each end by a babbitt bushing. The car was purchased with no options, and remains that way today. As such it does not have headlamps, a windshield, or a top. Controls in the first 700 Model T’s consisted of two pedals, two levers, the mixture control, steering wheel, spark and gas levers.
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