Old photo- looks like a torpedo or anopen runabout

[Herb Iffrig]

torpedo maybe.JPG (42.08 KiB) Viewed 2107 times

Too bad it is obscured.

[Rich Eagle]

Well, here is what the station looks like without the Model T.

I would guess it is a 1911 Torpedo.

Like you say, too bad it is obscured.
Did the Runabout windshield fold back like the Torpedo?
Nice photo.
Rich

[Herb Iffrig]

Yes, it zig zaged like the red one.
Since you took it out can you move it over, or take out the post?

[Herb Iffrig]

There was a torpedo roadster and an open runabout. The blue one is a roadster with a mother-in-law seat.

[TRDxB2]

I'd say that it is defiantly not a 1911 Runabout (rear Fender and Windshield supports)
Looks very much like the Torpedo (Fender & windshield support). In looking at the shape horn from its position I would say its more likely a 1910

idit.png (497.55 KiB) Viewed 2046 times

[Wayne Sheldon]

The early advertising images of the "torpedo" roadster and the "open" roadster for 1911. These were a one year only offering, of which most had the round gasoline tank. And only the earliest of the line had square fuel tanks. Most photos of the square tank cars are either early advertising images or early factory photos. However, I have seen a couple of era photos of square tank cars out in the wild.

These were the two one year only models with longer hoods, requiring special steering columns and hoods. The special fenders and running boards required a slightly different frame, while the set-back seat required special pedals and other things.

The other common roadster was the "mother-in-law" or "commercial" roadster, depending on whether it had the rear seat or not (a matter of semantics?)? This "roadster" used standard fenders, running boards, hood, steering column, gasoline tank, etc, as did the touring car, and was therefore slightly cheaper to build or buy.

A typical 1911 torpedo roadster with round gasoline tank.

[Wayne Sheldon]

A little additional.

I looked at some of the photos on my computer. I knew I didn't have much for the "commercial" roadsters, but did find this one.

It was identified as a 1911, note the after-market pickup box installed. Also note the higher seat (with gasoline tank underneath!), missing lamps etc. Looks like a hard working model T.

Another nice commercial roadster with nice pickup box and maybe even after-market rear fenders. Note typical era flat top front fenders on both photos! Note the typical era flat top rear fenders on the photo above!

The year of the car in the second photo is in doubt. Several details suggest different years. It had been identified as a 1912, however the no bill front fenders suggest either 1911 or 1913. Headlamps are brass, but sidelamps are black and brass, suggesting 1913. However this particular body style was not used in most of 1913 model year! I believe it was Royce who found that the 1912 commercial roadster did continue into the very late 1912 calendar year, considered to be early 1913 model year. Even at that, production numbers of the carryover cars was very small.
I suspect that the sidelamps got changed on the car in the second photo, and that it is actually a 1911 model.

Also, pay attention to the straight windshield on both commercial roadsters! As opposed to the 1911 "open" and "torpedo" roadsters that had a zigzag windshield.

Again, 1912 model year had a toned down version of the torpedo roadster using mostly standard peripheral parts, with a special gasoline tank behind the seat similar to the 1911 open and torpedo roadsters. But there was no special "open" roadster for 1912. Just the mother-in-law" or "commercial" roadster.

[Kerry]

Wayne, that second photo shows that it does not have the knobs on the throttle and timing controls, wouldn't that rule out it being a 1911 or even early 12?

[Drkbp]

Wayne,
I have a little better copy of the car in your last post, second picture.
It appears to have Ford's 1914 Michigan Manufacturers Plate on it, 5005M.
Ken

[Kaiser]

That must have been the first 'getaway car' ever, judging by that second photo

[Wayne Sheldon]

Kerry, Good catch on the S/T levers!
And Drkbp, Since it has a Ford manufacturing issued plate? The car is most likely a factory service or errand car. Maybe the car has been maintained and altered for factory use? It may be an earlier body on a newer chassis? I notice that the front body mount bolts on the body looks like it may be a two bolt bracket? However it cannot be clearly seen.
I seem to recall some discussion of this car on the forum a few years ago. I wish my computer hadn't eaten my bookmarks.
It appears to have parts from a few different years? Or maybe just the entire body was a special built for factory use?