MTFCA Forum

Here are some more question I have asked before in the past but never received a good answer. I always been confused about the difference between the "Model T Instruction Book" VS the "Ford Manual." This is a 1913 Model T Instruction Book: This is a 1913 Ford Manual: Question 1: Were these books available at the same time?
Question 2: How were these books obtained by the Model T owner? Did one (or both) come with the toolkit? Or did the "Manual" have to be purchased from the dealer (or ordered from Ford)?

The Ford manual for 1913 is different than the one you posted.

According to Tony Cimorelli’s literature archive, 1913 is the top picture and 1914 and later is the bottom. I think there were color variations thru the years

Original Smith wrote: ↑

Tue May 20, 2025 2:34 pm

The Ford manual for 1913 is different than the one you posted.

Now I'm confused even more. Someone else said the Ford Manual I have pictured is for 1914. So, was there a "Ford Manual" for 1913, and an "Instruction Book?"

What is commonly referred to here as the Black Bible it actually a time study to beat Ford mechanics over the head with if they took longer on a job than the times listed in the book for each job. Ever notice how some of the explanations seem vague? That’s because the guy using the book knew the car already. Some folks complain about these explanations but this isn’t a Motors Manual or a Dykes Manual which was printed at the time of the T. The Black Book isn’t that at all. It’s more hints for doing the job faster not nuts and bolts explanation of actually doing the work.

I guess some of the forum members who own Model T’s or have owned them for many years take the Ford service manual and older Ford service books or service books in general for getting repair advice for a Model T. Over the years the books “evolved” . The last Ford service book or manual is the summation of information of how to make the repairs for the car.
Of course the early brass years have a few differences in the parts and repairs and the early repair or instruction books would reflect that. Learning the differences comes over time and working on the cars. My opinion.

The instruction book has a lot less information than the Ford Manual. The instruction book pretty much just tells you how things work, the Ford Manual goes into a lot more detail with question and answers to basic running the car questions.

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Now I'm confused even more. Someone else said the Ford Manual I have pictured is for 1914. So, was there a "Ford Manual" for 1913, and an "Instruction Book?"
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Ford Instruction Book and Ford Manual are same animal, different title name. Supplied each year. Both supplied to and for use by owners and operators of the Ford.

The large Ford Service is for repair and garage use. It came out in Sept. 1925.

The copy of the "Instruction Book" I have, while a reprint from 1954, has Sixth Edition, September 1913 on the inside page. Tony's site shows one from May of 1913 so would have been a 1913 book. https://cimorelli.com/mtdl/1913/1913instmay.pdf

The most widely possessed but never read books are the Holy Bible and car owner's manuals.

Well, I'm feeling like I knew less than I did before this post. I guess the main things I would like to have answered are:

1) Was the "Instruction Book" the one that was always included with the toolkit?

2) Where/how did the Model T owners obtain the "Ford Manual"? Did they have to purchase that one from a dealer?

The 1913 manual is rare, and hard to find.

moozark wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 10:27 am

Well, I'm feeling like I knew less than I did before this post. I guess the main things I would like to have answered are:

1) Was the "Instruction Book" the one that was always included with the toolkit?

2) Where/how did the Model T owners obtain the "Ford Manual"? Did they have to purchase that one from a dealer?

1). Yes. "Ford Instruction Book" or "Ford Manual" are one and the same. The title changed during publication dates, but is the information in a booklet form for the owner.... and a Price List of Parts was also included with the tool kit.






2. Ford Manual is the same as Ford Instruction Book and was supplied with the tool kit. Now Ford Service is a complete book on servicing the Ford. From a Ford dealer or service station, the dealer got the Ford Service book from the Factory, usually the Factory Branch located in all major cities. This book cost in today's money about $40. Note adv. in Service Bulletin.


Most all Authorized Ford Dealers had been getting Service Bulletins from the Factory, starting in 1919, so dealer or service centers had the up to date details on the Ford.

Original Smith wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 11:14 am

The 1913 manual is rare, and hard to find.

Larry


Here is a 1913 Instruction Book for you.







Maybe it isn't that rare after all........

This is the 1913 Ford Manuel. As you can see it’s bound like a book, 116 pages long and is indeed quite rare.

Dan:
What are you thinking? The instruction book you posted even says it's a reprint!
Kim's post of the 1913 Ford Manual is correct. I'm lucky to have one.

September of 1913 reptesents the begining of the 1914 "model" year. Hence an instuction book / manual with a September, 1913 print date, would have been supplied with 1914 "model" automobiles.

WayneJ wrote: ↑

Sat May 24, 2025 10:55 am

September of 1913 reptesents the begining of the 1914 "model" year. Hence an instuction book / manual with a September, 1913 print date, would have been supplied with 1914 "model" automobiles.

That same style of Instruction Book was published months before Sept. 1913 in May so unless the 1914 models started on or before May of 1913 that may not be completely correct.

"The copy of the "Instruction Book" I have, while a reprint from 1954, has Sixth Edition, September 1913 on the inside page. Tony's site shows one from May of 1913 so would have been a 1913 book. https://cimorelli.com/mtdl/1913/1913instmay.pdf "

I wonder if this was a sales brochure like the ones sold for the letter cars, an introduction to the Ford Model T. Something to give prospective buyers?

One thing I still want an answer to is what book came with the toolkit. The 1914 list of tools list a "Ford Manual." Was that really the "Ford Manual" or did they really mean "Instruction Book." (They are NOT the same book). Which one came with the toolkit? Or were both of them included in the toolkit?

Well, my 1914 has a "Ford Manual", dated 1914. It is the same book that is listed on the cimorelli page for the 1914 cars. Content-wise, it is mostly the same as the 1913 "Instruction Books" listed on the page (and also the earlier "Instruction Books", like the 1911 one), just the form of presentation is different. The instruction book is written as a cohesive text while the 1914 manual is presented in a "Questions and Answers" format, like the manuals of the later years. So I think it is like Dan said, the manual replaced the instruction book from 1914 on. Now it would be interesting to see the contents of the 1913 hardcover "Manual", and if it is also written in the Q&A style of the later manuals.