MTFCA Forum

Great photograph of the Detroit Gas Company Building in 1908 ... Shorpy this morning.
Is the runabout in front of the bicycle a Ford?
First cup of coffee so eyes may still be off center too.

Link to the photograph:

https://www.shorpy.com/node/24740?size= ... al#caption

1908 Model S Runabout.

Possibly a very early Model T on the left.

Respectfully submitted,

Trent Boggess

Thank you Trent,

The car on the left does appear to have a wood type Troy windshield. Too small to tell, of course.
Someone with better computer skills than I possess may generate a better image.

There is a photograph in the Ford Times (Summer or Fall 1912 issue) of a 1913 Model T touring car displayed in one of the ground level windows of that building. Henry Ford had just made an agreement for them to supply natural gas to the Ford Motor Company power plant. One of the interesting features of the 1913 Ford on display was that the car had a forward folding all brass Automatic windshield and what looked like all brass lamps. At least, that is my recollection.

I don't have that Ford Times issue or I would post a picture of that window display.

Thank you again for 1908 Model S Runabout,

Ken P

Dobbin eyeing three ladies in the electric.
Back seat driver got its start right there.

To me looking at this picture of this elegant building, seems that Detroit was a well developed and sophisticated city before it became the center of automobile manufacturing.

A little more information about the Ford Model S's . Ford was over stocked with Model R finders and running boards. Ford never wasted anything , so he had them put on the Model N chassis and called them the Model S Runabout . Not to be confused with the Model S Roadster .A whole different body style .

The S, when it appeared in late fiscal year (September) 1907, was advertised as an "in beteeen" of Models N at $600 and R at $750. The R was quickly phased out with the S Roadster appearing in the spring of 1908. The major differences between S and R runabouts are the rounded trunk and 30 inch tires on R vs. 28 inch tires and N style pointed trunk on the S.

The S roadster was a big success selling over 3700 in only about a half year. All this occurring at Piquette as Ford was also ramping up for the Model T, and construction was underway on Highland Park. I'm amazed at how Henry Ford and his team were able to successfully navigate all the changes in addition to bringing out their new Model T.