MTFCA Forum

Those with early Fords have an advantage of having information available for their cars. Those after 1911 are at a disavantage as the records for post 1911 Model T Fords have been lost in the 1970's.

Anyone aware of surviving copies of factory or dealer records for the post 1911 Ford Model T.


According to the Henry Ford Web site: "In the summer of 1970, a museum fire destroyed many Ford Motor Company production records." These records are available: Ford Model T - years 1909-1911 - serial numbers 1,119 to 70,920

https://www.thehenryford.org/collection ... on-records

George John,

While there is a lot less information, the serial numbers and where they were shipped (normally dealer/agency or branch plant) is available for 1909 to around Dec 1914 or maybe Jan 1915 in the accounts receivable records. They are listed by the Ford Agency (i.e. dealership) or Branch. They are located at the Benson Ford Archives in Accession 623, Boxes 1-8 (possibly others if there are more boxes in Accession 623). They only have 9 of the Accounts Receivable Ledgers. And there may have been 10 or 20 more of them originally (Ref unnumbered second page of "Early Ford Database" sept 10, 1997 by Trent E. Boggess available hard copy at the Benson Ford Archives.) You have about a 20% chance that an engine serial number will be listed. But they are alphabetical by dealer so you have to look at all 9 volumes and through the various dealers listed in the volumes to find if the serial number is or is not listed.

See the following postings for additional information (including a partial scan from those ledgers) -- primarily from Royce's trips to the archives:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/411944/418722.html

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/11 ... 1280578413

And Bruce McCalley used those same ledgers to prepare a small subset of information on the 1912 cars -- see: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/11-12Ser.htm In this case Bruce only listed the date and the engine number. Notice how they are NOT in numerical order.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off

I have to admit that I am not the brightest light on the planet, I miss most memos, But where can one fine additional information on the Model Ts built after 1911/1912...say the 1917 to 1927? The Henry Ford states the data for this period was destroyed by fire in the 1970s.

Does that mean that if one is lucky enough to locate early (period after WWI) dealer records there may be corresponding information on the electric and non electric, body manufacturing number and related stuff? But not for all cars manufactured?

I have ledger from Hardy Motor Co in Ball Tenn for mid 20’s.
It only list the Car by body style and engine number. It. Will also show what other items the person brought and cost. Like spare tire, locking wheel or Ruckstell.