Front wheel drive Model T

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Chris Instness
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 runabout, T speedster
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Front wheel drive Model T

Post by Chris Instness » Wed Feb 23, 2022 1:05 pm

I was looking at some photos of a supercharged, overhead valve, front wheel drive Model T speedster and wondered if anyone has tried to recreate this car or any front wheel drive Model T? I’m aware of the 4 wheel drive conversions. This speedster appears to be hand built with a backward engine to allow for a centered differential.
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Kevin Pharis
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Re: Front wheel drive Model T

Post by Kevin Pharis » Wed Feb 23, 2022 1:21 pm

Not yet! But have had pics of this McCarver Special stashed away for some time. The front end work is amazing! No wonder they didn’t have time to paint it 😉
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Henry K. Lee
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Re: Front wheel drive Model T

Post by Henry K. Lee » Wed Feb 23, 2022 1:57 pm

The first independent front suspension????? LOL
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Been Here Before
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Re: Front wheel drive Model T

Post by Been Here Before » Wed Feb 23, 2022 4:39 pm

FYI


Title The Design of a Front Wheel Drive for a Motor Car
Author Arthur Agnus Nichols
Publisher Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 1928

Title Features of the Front Wheel Drive for Motor Vehicles
Author William Carl Smith
Published 1929

Title Tracta Front-wheel Drive
Author Arthur Stuart Auto Services, Ltd
Publisher Arthur Stuart Auto Services, Limited, 1929
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Rich P. Bingham
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Re: Front wheel drive Model T

Post by Rich P. Bingham » Wed Feb 23, 2022 4:47 pm

Mighty interesting ! The racer appears to have utilized a Model T differential case and rear frame cross-member (at least).

Also interesting is the reference to an MIT paper on a front wheel drive design. E. L. Cord marketed his first FWD cars that same year (1929).

Fascinating stuff ! Thanks for posting, fellows.
Get a horse !
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Craig Leach
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Re: Front wheel drive Model T

Post by Craig Leach » Wed Feb 23, 2022 5:06 pm

Chris,
You got my attention @ supercharged??? There was a guy in northern Az. building a Miller copy using a over head Model A turned around like that. Been awhile I'm sure it's finished by now.
Craig.
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TRDxB2
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Re: Front wheel drive Model T

Post by TRDxB2 » Wed Feb 23, 2022 5:10 pm

Here are some pictures of a Livingood 4x4 drive
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TRDxB2
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Re: Front wheel drive Model T

Post by TRDxB2 » Wed Feb 23, 2022 5:26 pm

Open the link to this OLD MOTOR article to see more about the Hamlin Front Drive Special https://theoldmotor.com/?p=151334
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The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
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