What is your favorite part of a Model T Ford?

[ModelT46]

For my 1910 Touring, it is the original headlights. They are Model 15 J Browns. They are almost perfect. The Ford name on top show little wear. They are straight and have nice original reflectors. Might sound silly of me to admire them, but they are one example of the craftamanship that went into the building of a Model T Ford. The Ford Company selected, what seemed to be, the best available for their cars.

[DLodge]

Isn't the classic answer to that question "The nut behind the wheel"?

[TXGOAT2]

I like the unstyled styling of the earlier cars and the raw, direct "mechanicalness" of all of them. I find the later model styling pleasing, also. To me, the frame and the several mechanical "units" of the cars also have a pleasing appearance.

[Its_Always_T_Time]

Isn't the classic answer to that question "The nut behind the wheel"?

[Its_Always_T_Time]

I like the unstyled styling of the earlier cars and the raw, direct "mechanicalness" of all of them. I find the later model styling pleasing, also. To me, the frame and the several mechanical "units" of the cars also have a pleasing appearance.

The whole car is the best part! Best car ever made!

[Rich Bingham]

That's a tough question. Of course we love our Ts "sum total", but some bits just seem to have a special appeal. I guess my favorite is a brass Holley G carb.

[Norman Kling]

I like the things which are very different from modern cars. The ignition system, the adjustable carburetor, the hand throttle, the foot shifting, and the hand crank.
Norm

[walber]

The driving experience - being able to hear and feel everything about the car as well as the road and scenery. I feel involved and actively participating but relaxed on back roads.

[Rich Eagle]

It is an interesting question. Some parts are definitely more likable that others. Often I best like the part I have just finished working on.
Rich

[halftracknut]

Making it back home .....

[TWrenn]

Making it back home .....

Randy, that is too funny! Maybe a bit true too.
Reminds me of a time back when I was Captaining the local excursion boat, out on the dock prior to departing, standing next to
the boat/company owner who was also talking to the head person of this private charter. This person knew that as Captain, I was also licensed to marry people. The guy asked the owner if we ever held any prayer services on the boat. My boss/owner guy quickly quipped "yeh, we pray that we MAKE IT BACK!" God I almost lost it laughing so hard about that. Shoulda seen the look on that guys face!

[Barry Loucks]

My favorite part?
The nut and washer I just retrieved out of the transmission with a magnet.
I adore them.

[TXGOAT2]

About the last thing I'd want is a "self-driving car". Even if I were to become so decrepit that I could n longer drive any car, I'd rather have a pretty young lady chaffeur than a self driving car.

[KWTownsend]

I'm with Rich. A brass carburetor is is thing of beauty.
However, so is a brass speedometer.
Likewise a mahogany coil box is like a fine piece of furniture.
Of course Ford did not make any of those parts... They were all purchased from outside purveyors!

: ^ )

[otrcman]

Lots of things to like about a Model T. That's like asking my favorite flavor of ice cream.

But maybe the thing that makes me the happiest is the quiet thrumming sound that the car makes while cruising along on flat ground at 15 or 20 mph. It's kind of hard to describe, and I really don't know what makes the nice sound. It's sorta like the sound a dog makes with his tail thumping gently on the rug when you lock eyes with him. The dog is hoping you'll ask him if he wants to go for a walk.

I heard Scott's car make the thrumming sound today on his latest social distancing video. Made me smile.

Dick

[RichardG]

whenever i get to my shop for something i need , i open the door and there she is, waiting for me to admire, and i do--i pull up a chair and take a break and soak in her beauty, yesterday after a long winter snooze i turned the gas valve gave it a moment or too, pulled the choke wire lifted the crank 3 times pushed the retard up and pulled the throttle down 1/2 way turned the key on the coil box and she tried for a free start, but didn't quit make it, my arm can no longer do the crank, so i touched the starter button and 3or 4 turns and she was purring, i sat there for 4-5-minits enjoying the music--the model t is truly a remarkable creature--who knows the many hands they have passed through and here they are still giving enjoyment to those caring for them so when the time comes, they will move on to a new home where they will be admired another 100 years..

[Charlie B in N.J.]

Much like Richard I have to say that every trip into the garage brought a smile. Couldn’t help it. Just happened.

[Burger in Spokane]

My favorite "part" is the ambiance of early 20th century Americana that
a T, especially a truck, captures. Hard to quantify beyond clichés like the
"Grapes of Wrath" imagery. But anyone who is drawn to them probably knows
exactly what I mean.

Specific parts ? Well, I love the amethyst headlight lenses and the aqua
glass insulators on the coilbox, I love the wires, neatly arranged under the
hood. I am also particularly attracted to the heavier 20" wheels of the later
TT trucks. It is more the sum of all the parts, but some parts are more interesting
than others.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

My favorite part is the steering wheel. There's something comforting and familiar about the feel of the rim in my hands. A perfect fit, like a comfortable old shoe.

[VinTin23]

Interesting question, I like the home made floor boards. Nothing special, just some plywood, but they have a nice Patina to them now

[tiredfarmer]

I like how simple they are to repair. About a year ago I started my 2015 F-150 when I backed out of the garage a cat ran out from under the pickup. The cat threw off the fan belt, I looked and there is not a way to put it back on the pulleys, no way to loosen the alternator, or a spring loaded idler. I looked on line to see how one puts the fan belt back on. You put the belt on the pulleys and then zip tie it to the crank pully the turn the engine backwards to slip the belt on. Well my pickup made a trip to the dealer to have them put it on. I looked at my 26 Touring and said how I love you. It makes me mad that a person can't even put a fan belt on. OH yea the cat just lost half of his tail.

[jiminbartow]

I like the natural air conditioning as the wind blows through the open windshield. To experience that, means you are driving your T and that it is running good and going fast enough to have that experience. After that, I love the Model T’s voice, created by the buzzing coils. Again, the voice cannot be heard if your T is not healthy and running. Lastly, I love the wooden spokes that give it the transitional (from horse drawn to horseless), “horseless carriage” appearance. Jim Patrick

[Loftfield]

My favorite part of my Model T's is the same part I like on all my brass cars, the hand crank. This is the part that is most unlike any modern car. It is the part that can fight back, so some care is required. It is the part where I first start talking to my cars, giving them encouragement. Mr. Ford felt that it was manly to crank the car by hand, and I agree: watch the crowd assemble as you bend down to the grasp the Armstrong starter noticing how many of the ladies are getting just a bit agitated. Of course, one crank in our club always tells me that the crowd is there hoping to see my car break my arm, sort of like NASCAR where you are torn between hope for and dread of a serious accident on the track.

[tommyleea]

My favorite part is the original rear view mirror..

[John Warren]

I love and agree with all of the replies. Richard G. probably hits home the best! Nothing like just admiring and hearing them run. Great thread!

[John Warren]

I got a little old pile of tin-
No body know what shape it's in-
She's got 4 doors and a running board-
It's a Ford oh It's a Ford-
Honk, Honk, Rattle, Rattle, Rattle, Crash, Bang, Bang, Honk, Honk.

[Kaiser]

Okay, okay I'll bite;

[ModelT46]

All of the replies are great. When I suggested this topic,, I said it was the brass headlights that I liked, but it is musch more. This morning I opened a garage door to show of my 1910 to someone and mentioned that I have owned the T for 74 years. I then realized my fatorite part if the whole car. My 1910 is my oldest friend.

[Bud Delong]

I like the fact a Model T will sometimes start when you turn the switch on and the buzzing coils!! Bud.

[Mark Gregush]

Mostly I think for me it is the Antique car styling more then anything and gets the waves and smiles when driving (and not just because it is a Ford, could be any brand of antique car including my 1948 F2). 2ed would be the mechanical bits that make up the car's uniqueness. That uniqueness sometimes is a love/hate relationship!

[dmdeaton]

Come on man!
Rust.

[Tom D]

As a youngster I used to love riding in the back seat looking out over the side, looking on the ground and seeing the shadow of the wood spoked wheels spinning. I still do, but I need to be careful to not look too long as I now do the driving.
Tom

[Rich Eagle]

Riding as a youngster, Tom, reminds me that the Model T has a calming affect on children. Many go to sleep before very many miles. We used to take our kids for a ride sometimes when they had trouble sleeping. Our grandson is often a little hyper but a T ride always calms him down. The hum of the engine and the gentle bouncing must be part of it.
Rich

[varmint]

I think i have seen all the parts since I have taken everything apart.
My favorite parts:
#1 the ignition coil
#2 the underside of the engine head
#3 the vibrator disc of the battery horn
#4 the "spool" on the magneto
#5 the frame of the improved car
#6 the wood spoke

And now I add my lease favorite parts:
#1 the #14 UNC machine screw found anywhere
#2 the threads on the exhaust manifold
#3 the external screw that holds the field coils inside the starter

[Dennis Prince]

I think my favorite part is the sense of freedom that I get when I am driving, (especially backroads) and I love watching bird soaring above me, I think I feel as free as they look and I can experience my surroundings.

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[John Heaman]

My favourite part of my T are the extended pedals thanks to the restorer's skill. He took a set of plain pedals and worked his magic.
(I have the original script pedals set aside). We glued rubber pedal pads to the extended pedals. This saves me having a 5" cushion at my back and allows me operate the T like average height people.

I'm an entertainer and even microphones give me grief! LOL

[dlmyers]

I got a little old pile of tin-
No body know what shape it's in-
She got 4 doors and a running board-
It's a Ford oh It's a Ford-
Honk, Honk, Rattle, Rattle, Rattle, Crash, Bang, Bang, Honk, Honk.

John, do you know any more of that song?
My grade school age niece sang that to me about 45 years ago. She doesn't remember it now.

[John Heaman]

Ha ha....sorry l’m not familiar with that song! I sing classic country and do a Little Jimmy Dickens impression.

[Barry Loucks]

Dale there’s a woman on YouTube who sings it. Search for a little pile of tin.

[dlmyers]

Thank you Barry!
That’s it.

[Allan]

My favourite part of all my T's is the clear coated wooden rim on my 1912 van. How did they get that thing perfectly round, perfectly in the one plane, perfectly finger jointed and bent from just one piece of timber? There's even a tiny knot in one place. Goodness knows how many have held it in their hands before me.

Allan from down under.

[FundyTides]

I think it's great fun when someone with a little mechanical knowledge looks at my T at a local show. I tell him it is a very modern car with "coil-over ignition", "cruise control" and a "shift on command" planetary transmission (like todays automatic without a valve body). Once those 3 items are explained, they are usually amazed at the technology used in these cars.

[Old school]

Been working on my first T for 6 months and just realized … no damn metrics. Sorry if this was already mentioned.

[CudaMan]

The two items that seem to get the most attention and comments at car shows are the wood spoke wheels and the oil can.

Oddly, most folks who comment on the oil can think it is useless, user-added "bling". I then have to tell them that every T came with an oil can, then I show them the oilers to prove that the oil can does get used.

[RustyFords]

I like the tall, spindly, no-frills look that they have.

Sitting high on its buggy springs, it manages to have an air of dignity and purpose, despite the fact that the design was almost certainly form following function.

[John Codman]

I'm on my first T, but have owned several other antique cars - several A's, a '28 Olds coupe, a '33 Buick sedan, and a '35 Chevy coupe. All drove more or less like a semi-modern car. All were 3-speed floorshift manuals, all had 4-wheel mechanical brakes, and the Buick and the Olds were capable of a sustained 60 mph; the Buick might have the potential for more, but 60 was as fast as I ever drove it. The A was OK to 50, and the Chevy could handle 55. The model T drives like what it is, a very basic inexpensive replacement for a horse and wagon. It has lousy brakes (if you want to call them brakes), it's happiest at about 35 mph, it shifts gears weirdly, the "gas pedal" is on the steering column, and it has a magneto. I take the key with me when I park it (the T) not because I'm afraid someone will steal the car, but because they might steal the key. I love it!

[WayneJ]

The view from the driver's seat.

[TWrenn]

I'm with you Wayne! The "view" from outside the car ain't too bad sometimes either!

[TWrenn]

Good grief! Hit the wrong button! Try sending pics now...

These cars ARE chick magnets!

[John Heaman]

These cars ARE chick magnets!

Apparently they are!!

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[TWrenn]

John..I LOVE the pic with the REAL chick's on top! LMAO. The bottom two ain't so bad either!

[TXGOAT2]

Jimmy Durante, wearing his original nose, out for a spin in a flivver with a bevy of busty babes... I think Hollywood was a lot saner place back then.

[John Heaman]

Jimmy Durante, wearing his original nose.

Apparently that nose drew as much attention as his Model T. Go figure!

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[RustyFords]

These cars ARE chick magnets!

I've had all kinds of old cars over the years, including badass big HP muscle cars, and nothing even comes close to the degree of chick magnetism as my Model T.

Girls of all ages flock to my car. I've never seen anything like it and wouldn't have believed it if you'd told me....before I owned the car....but it's true.

[Norman Kling]

That woman in left front of picture by the right front fender looks like Nancy Reagan. I wonder if it was?
Norm

[George House]

My favorite part of Model T s I build from parts is the TITLE the state issues

[Alan Long]

All the parts between the Radiator and the Tail Light!
Alan in Western Australia