MTFCA Forum

Notice on photo number 8 where the dog is identified, but there is a mystery passenger...
It is clearly a 1912, but fitted with a 1913 windshield. I have seen a few others like that, but it seems the 1912 top would not fit.
Also, the electrified headlights are higher than stock. I wonder if the turn with the wheels?

Thanks for the pics, Tom!

: ^ )

Third photo from bottom:

1913 touring with Minnesota 1912-13-14 plate 29466 was registered to B.J. Aenes of Shakopee.

First picture. That is the type of mountain that can fall on you! Watch out ! Picture 12. Good thing for the reinforcement between the fenders. Otherwise they might crumple and send the men onto the ice and snow!
Norm

Photo number five. Is that an early model N Ford? The seat appears to be more narrow than most Ns, an early model N detail. The man's coat tail appears to be hanging over the seat in such a way that the "buggy rail" for the optional top cannot be seen. Is that an early style radiator neck?
The man almost looks like he could be Henry? Any opinions there?

Photo number eight is a great look at what appears to be a late 1912 T touring car. Although not common, I too have seen a few era photos of late 1912s with 1913 style windshields on them. If I recall correctly, even Bruce McCalley stated that a few late 1912s had had 1913 windshields on them. I don't recall if that was in the "black book" or not.
The headlamps are another issue. They do appear to be several inches higher than standard, why could be anybody's guess?
Electrified headlamps on 1912s were quite common. "Practical" electric headlamps had become suddenly available in 1912, and many owners of nearly new Fords splurged on electrification kits while the car was less than a year old. I probably (haven't actually counted them) have more than a hundred era photos of 1912 model Ts showing electrified headlamps. I get the feeling that it was more common for owners of 1912s than it was for buyers of 1913s and 1914s, maybe something to do with being on the cutting edge of a new thing?

Photo number ten. Appears to be a 1911 (note the fenders) open roadster. I can't be sure it isn't a torpedo roadster, however I cannot see any door on the side of it, and I think I see is hand on his knee low enough that a door would block it? Maybe? I don't know.
The other thing that bothers me about the photo? And maybe it is just the angle of view, but I cannot see any sign of the gasoline tank behind the seat. The open roadster had the same gasoline tank as the torpedo roadster. Standard/commercial roadsters had the normal T gasoline tank under the seat.
I have seen several era photos of both torpedo and open roadsters with the original gasoline tank removed to use the back end of the body as a delivery vehicle. I always wonder if the regular gasoline tank would fit under the torpedo/open roadster seat? I mean they gotta put the gasoline somewhere?

This photo seems to ask more questions than give answers?

Tom,
As always, thank you for posting!

Wayne, good catch. I agree, a 1906 N. Only about 1200 06 were produced, so not common. What’s more, I believe this is a very very early N. The brake rod appears to run below the torque tube/diff. Ford quickly realized the brake rod cam lever (coming out from the drum) could just as easily be turned upright, and the brake rods run just above the radius rods. I’ve not seen this in many photos (brake lever pointed/turned down). And, it wasn’t just a quick “turn T here lever up” fix. The cam had to be repinned and the pin hole angle changed.

Also one of the early larger neck higher shoulder radiator.

The sidelamps also look like the early G&D lamp used with red and green “eyeshades.”

Here’s a photo with Henry Ford riding of the prototype or maybe N #1, with these early features highlighted:

You have been collecting these pics for a long time, it surprise me how many different ones you come up with, back in the day only rich had the cameras!

Joe Bell wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 29, 2024 8:01 am

You have been collecting these pics for a long time, it surprise me how many different ones you come up with, back in the day only rich had the cameras!

Not really. My dad's family were most certainly not rich. Poor might be closer to the truth, especially during the Depression, with a sick wife and 7 mouths to feed. However, grandpa had a cheap Brownie box camera and used it a lot.

Brownie camera?

Luxury!! My family was so poor they had to hold the pose while my grandma sketched the scene on the back of a soup can label from the neighbors trash.

Barry Loucks wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 29, 2024 4:19 pm

Brownie camera?

Luxury!! My family was so poor they had to hold the pose while my grandma sketched the scene on the back of a soup can label from the neighbors trash.

Well, I can't out do that one! Touche Barry!