MTFCA Forum

Hello, I was hoping to ask a couple questions about the Model T’s performance. I’m researching it and need some information if you don’t mind.

First question was how long do you believe it takes for the Model T took to reach it’s top speed..

And the other question is, how fast did it go in reverse, and how long do you think it took to reach the top reverse speed. Thanks in advance. I’ve searched just about everywhere looking for this answer and I’ve yet to find it. Hopefully someone knows

Famous race results found on line gives some indication of speed timed over distance. Not sure if this 1915 T has stock 3.63:1 rear axle gearing, but likely an impressive time. Top speed and time measured might indicate this Ford had 3:1 gearing, the engine was enhanced with aftermarket distributor ignition and Rayfield carburetor. Typical Ford top speed is 40-45.

As for reverse speed, the Ford reverse drum gears down to 14.5:1 ratio, so about 3-5 mph top speed can be done if luckily. Speed in reverse with the T is unsafe due to the caster of the front wheels. The front wheels will violently rack from side to side going backward at speed.

I appreciate the help. Thanks! But there’s a small problem with that image and that is it says the T could go 55. I’ve seen that result when googling it but I know most Model T’s didn’t actually go 55.

I'll start of by saying, I apologize from sounding like a curmudgeon, but.....

This question has been asked since the first Model T hit the road. And with that there are many examples of road test out there. At one time one had to use printed magazine indexes to find an article, now all one has to do is use their "smart phone" to look for this search: Model T ford road test...

And what can you find 356,000,000 results (0.85 seconds) hits! 356,000,000 results hits in (0.85 seconds).

So :
https://www.motortrend.com/features/com ... -model-90/

http://www.wheels-alive.co.uk/ford-mode ... pressions/

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a ... s-feature/

https://www.topspeed.com/cars/ford/1908 ... 32509.html

https://www.chicagotribune.com/autos/sc ... story.html

ETC...

As I started off Sorry.

I didn’t think you were sounding rude. I’m just trying to find specific information I can’t find seem to find online. I can’t really find anything that shows me it’s actual 0-45 time, top reverse speed, time it takes to get to the top reverse speed, y’know? My lack of information led me here, hoping to get some help and information on said stuff since I believe there’s loads of Model T owners here and I guessed they would have the answer.

Tanner

Main reason for lack of info on 'timed' speed of the Ford T is its lack of relevance to owners. Back in the early days, Fords were driven by owners in contests of 'hill climbs' to test power, these were timed but speed wasn't.

Timing the flat out top speed of a Model T on level won't be easily found in records anywhere.

If you want only one data point, I could time my stock '23 T up to top speed, recording that speed with GPS. Reverse time to safe backup can be done as well.......let me know.

The questions you are asking need to have some more detail. I would presume that you are asking about a completely stock car right out of the factory. Also the speeds would be on level ground. One more thing to take into consideration is the weight of the body and what year the car. Bodies differed in weight over the years and the sedans and towncars were much heavier than the roadsters.
So no two cars were the same when they came out of the factory. Today the variables are even greater.
Norm

DanTreace wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 17, 2021 10:50 am

Tanner

Main reason for lack of info on 'timed' speed of the Ford T is its lack of relevance to owners. Back in the early days, Fords were driven by owners in contests of 'hill climbs' to test power, these were timed but speed wasn't.

Timing the flat out top speed of a Model T on level won't be easily found in records anywhere.

If you want only one data point, I could time my stock '23 T up to top speed, recording that speed with GPS. Reverse time to safe backup can be done as well.......let me know.



Top speed of Ford T .jpeg

You are free to do do that then please do so, but if you’re not wanting to you don’t have to.

Tanner

Results of timed test, my T is stock for a 98 year old car, engine is rebuilt with alum pistons, but all other chassis parts are stock.

Test today was hot, but got top road speed up to 43-44mph. Time from zero to top speed was 37 seconds.

For the reverse time, it took 5 seconds to back up at a top speed of 6 mph, any more speed and steering control was getting difficult.

All testing done on flat level pavement. On a hot FL noon day, humidity at 78 percent.

Did several timed runs, all about the same, 43-44mph topped out and took about 37-40 seconds.

The reason nobody's telling the top reverse speed is that it's too dangerous to find out.

Dan, if you're still under Fred's influence, the car might do a little better when the barometer rises.

DanTreace wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 17, 2021 12:38 pm

Tanner

Results of timed test, my T is stock for a 98 year old car, engine is rebuilt with alum pistons, but all other chassis parts are stock.

Test today was hot, but got top road speed up to 43-44mph. Time from zero to top speed was 37 seconds.

For the reverse time, it took 5 seconds to back up at a top speed of 6 mph, any more speed and steering control was getting difficult.

All testing done on flat level pavement. On a hot FL noon day, humidity at 78 percent.

Did several timed runs, all about the same, 43-44mph topped out and took about 37-40 seconds.


test flat road.jpgtop speed.jpgtime 0 to top speed.jpgtest conditions.jpg

Thank you so much my good sir!

RE top reverse speed, time it takes to get to the top reverse speed,
What Steve said is correct. The steering geometry does not allow for anything more than a slow crawl. Going too fast, lose control very quickly, with the car whipping from side to side.

I suspect that the carnival cars which had the ring gear on the wrong side such that they would go backward in low and high also had the caster reversed.

One question Tanner is what are you going to use the info for? Also, I agree that driving a model T backwards at more than a crawl is scary...it can get away from you in a heartbeat!

The reason I was needing this info was because I’m attempting to recreate a Model T in a video game Called LittleBigPlanet 3, though I don’t know if you’re aware of that game. I’m just trying to make it as accurate as I can make it so I’m needing this info to assistant me with that.