MTFCA Forum

From the Automobile, 1908. same year the Model T was released on the public as a 1909 model, two articles of interest. The Model T was out and about around January 1908, but Ford was not fully marketing the 1908 Model T - article states it was decided to test it in actual service before putting it on the market.

Article from July 1908 also has comments from "name withheld" AKA Anti-Brass.

Anti-Brass discusses his perfect ideal car. For him the perfect car is rated at 30 hp, three point suspension, 3 speed/reverse transmission, a magneto of atwater-kent design. detachable rims, thermo-syphon cooling. And rather than brass fittings, the trim should be gunmetal or an oxidized finish. For Anti-Brass, time would be better spent to keep the engine transmission in proper shape. For Anti-Brass, the new car owner is his own chauffeur, and time spent polishing brass can be better spent in the maintenance of a vehicle.

That was in July 1908, by September 1908, came the announcement came from the Ford Motor Company, of a new Ford, that produced 20 hp, removable cylinder head for improved maintenance, and a water pump for cooling, transmission with two speeds forward and a reverse. One of the most radical features of the new car was the ignition system., a magneto that was incorporated as part of the flywheel. A three point suspension system with a 100 inch wheel base. And the article for September 1908 stated that there was no announcement about the colours or finish (trim?)

There are always, and always have been, people that 'know better' than everybody else. And, sometimes they are right.
However, at THAT time, Brass trim was pretty much expected. People didn't waste a lot of time polishing it, and it would take years before it tarnished very badly. Brass wasn't terribly expensive. And it was easy to work with in the manufacturing process, so therefore actually fairly cheap. 'Anti-brass' was right, but he was being a bit early, ahead of the curve so to speak. Only a very few years later, other automobile manufacturers began cutting way back on the bright brass, and Ford followed a couple years behind.

I think that fellow died several years ago??? Bud.