Definition of Doctor's coupe
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
-
Topic author - Posts: 436
- Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2020 12:45 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Killelea
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Touring, 1927 Tudor, 1925 Touring
- Location: Northport NY
- Board Member Since: 2020
Definition of Doctor's coupe
What is the difference between a coupe and a Doctor's coupe? Is it the size of the turtle deck? Is it taller? I saw a photo of a turtle deck which was taller/different from what I'd seen on others. Thanks,
John
John
-
- Posts: 608
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:10 pm
- First Name: Brad
- Last Name: Kirtner
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Touring Car, 1927 Closed Cab TT, 1927 Coupe
- Location: Salem, Virginia
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
Ford never called a coupe a doctors coupe. As far as a T is concerned, there is no such thing as a doctors coupe. If and only if a doctor owns said coupe, that changes things. Otherwise it’s just a coupe. This thread is from 2009. http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/80 ... 1240976188
Brad
Brad
-
- Posts: 318
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:08 pm
- First Name: Chris
- Last Name: Barker
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Coupe
- Location: Somerset, Eng;and
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
Coupe is what Ford called their 2 seat closed Model T
Doctors' Coupe is what others sometimes call any car of this period and style.
Doctors' Coupe is what others sometimes call any car of this period and style.
-
- Posts: 7391
- Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:08 pm
- First Name: Pat
- Last Name: McNallen
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926-7 roadster
- Location: Graham, Texas
- Board Member Since: 2021
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
Doctor's coupe, business coupe, opera coupe....
-
Topic author - Posts: 436
- Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2020 12:45 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Killelea
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Touring, 1927 Tudor, 1925 Touring
- Location: Northport NY
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
Thanks. I love the former thread. Lots of wonderful reading. Now I know.
John
John
-
- Posts: 1357
- Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 5:47 pm
- First Name: Les
- Last Name: Schubert
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 27 roadster 13 touring
- Location: Calgary
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
Doctors coupe would have a stethoscope hanging from the mirror!
-
- Posts: 3384
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Morsher
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925TT, 1926 Martin-Parry bodied wagon, 1927 mercury bodied speedster
- Location: Norwalk Ohio
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
‘A coupe owned by a doctor’
-
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Mon Oct 07, 2019 2:00 pm
- First Name: George John
- Last Name: Drobnock
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922 Coupe
- Location: Central Pennsylvania
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
Gentleman, Gentleman when are you going to stop reading stuff on the internet and state that information is incorrect. Go to a library and search primary sources.
In 1900 the Magazine Horseless Age ( page 31: 21 November 1900 shows the De Dion-Bouton Moterette Company's Coupe. It was described in 1900 as a Doctor's Coupe. In 1901 the Journal the Medical Times carries an advertisement for the De Dion - Bouton Motorette Co. DOCTOR'S COUPE is designed to meet th . requirements of members of the medical profession.
By definition a coupe, even a doctor's coupe is this: A coupé is a four-wheeled vehicle for the driver and passenger generally seats for two persons.
De Dion Bouton Cab (Coupe Doctor) from 1900
In 1900 the Magazine Horseless Age ( page 31: 21 November 1900 shows the De Dion-Bouton Moterette Company's Coupe. It was described in 1900 as a Doctor's Coupe. In 1901 the Journal the Medical Times carries an advertisement for the De Dion - Bouton Motorette Co. DOCTOR'S COUPE is designed to meet th . requirements of members of the medical profession.
By definition a coupe, even a doctor's coupe is this: A coupé is a four-wheeled vehicle for the driver and passenger generally seats for two persons.
De Dion Bouton Cab (Coupe Doctor) from 1900
-
- Posts: 6895
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:51 am
- First Name: Richard
- Last Name: Eagle
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 TR 1914 TR 1915 Rd 1920 Spdstr 1922 Coupe 1925 Tudor
- Location: Idaho Falls, ID
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
I believe there were Coupes made by other makers that were called Doctor's Coupes. We had a older character who always wanted an "Opry Coupe". I always loved the way he said it.
Rich
Rich
When did I do that?
-
- Posts: 3384
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Morsher
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925TT, 1926 Martin-Parry bodied wagon, 1927 mercury bodied speedster
- Location: Norwalk Ohio
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
The 1905 Ford C was advertised as the Doctors Car.
-
- Posts: 4082
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:06 pm
- First Name: Jerry
- Last Name: Van
- Location: S.E. Michigan
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
My 1924 Buick Sedan, model 24-41, was billed as a "Dual purpose sedan", suitable for Doctors & Salesmen. The doctor's part I totally get, as the back seat area is large enough to deliver a baby in, (or perhaps to make one
Maybe that's where the salesman comes in?).

-
- Posts: 4433
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:00 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Kuehn
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
- Location: Texas
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
There was a earlier post about Model T’s “old wives tales” and this is pretty much one of them. Kind of! I think there was a T add about the Coupes being used by Dr’s and others but it wasn’t meant to be used as a Model type.
Maybe a nick name but??? That’s about a far as it got.
It’s kind of like calling a T Fordoor a family sedan. It can be used as that but not a Model Type.
I’m sure others will have other ideas!
Maybe a nick name but??? That’s about a far as it got.
It’s kind of like calling a T Fordoor a family sedan. It can be used as that but not a Model Type.
I’m sure others will have other ideas!
-
- Posts: 185
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 1:53 pm
- First Name: Warren
- Last Name: Webb
- Location: Owasso OK
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
BOOTLEGERS COUPE a car used to run moonshine
-
- Posts: 1447
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:42 pm
- First Name: Frank
- Last Name: van Ekeren
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 touring, 1916 pick-up, 1924 coupe, 1926 touring, 1927 touring
- Location: Rosedale Vic Australia
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
In 1912, Ford put out a 13 page pamphlet titled
"WHAT THE MOTOR CAR MEANS TO THE DOCTOR"
In reading it it's not hard to see the reasoning on why the doctor preferred the coupe.
Warmth in the cab.
Ford claims a T could start in 10 seconds and up to 30mpg, a T would do 40 mph without taxing it's powers hour after hour.
And part of the break down of the running costs was alcohol. I'm assuming for the cooling system but could be for the passenger when
sitting on 40 mph on horse buggy roads
"WHAT THE MOTOR CAR MEANS TO THE DOCTOR"
In reading it it's not hard to see the reasoning on why the doctor preferred the coupe.
Warmth in the cab.
Ford claims a T could start in 10 seconds and up to 30mpg, a T would do 40 mph without taxing it's powers hour after hour.
And part of the break down of the running costs was alcohol. I'm assuming for the cooling system but could be for the passenger when
sitting on 40 mph on horse buggy roads

-
- Posts: 3384
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Morsher
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925TT, 1926 Martin-Parry bodied wagon, 1927 mercury bodied speedster
- Location: Norwalk Ohio
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
This is a challenge. Maybe another Ford First. Show an earlier manufacturer advertisement for a doctors car. Here is FoMoCo
-
- Posts: 3384
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Morsher
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925TT, 1926 Martin-Parry bodied wagon, 1927 mercury bodied speedster
- Location: Norwalk Ohio
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
This may be 1904, have to do a little more digging.
-
- Posts: 521
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:15 pm
- First Name: Wayne
- Last Name: Jorgensen
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Runabout, 1918 Runabout
- Location: Batavia, IL
- Board Member Since: 2013
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
Yes, the Doctor's coupe is a total myth.
Wayne Jorgensen, Batavia, IL
1915 Runabout
1918 Runabout
1915 Runabout
1918 Runabout
-
- Posts: 641
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 3:51 pm
- First Name: William
- Last Name: May
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Runabout
- Location: Tucson, Arizona
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
Sorry, all you guys, but I'm holding out for a "Draftsman's Coupe" and I'm not gonna stop until I find one.
-
- Posts: 1419
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:53 am
- First Name: Terry
- Last Name: Woods
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Model T coupe, 1926 4 door sedan
- Location: Cibolo (San Antonio), TX
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
Tim, you are so right that in 1905 Ford had a model called a "Doctor's Car", and I have an original magazine ad to prove it, but the car Ford called a "Doctor's Car" wasn't a coupe at all. It was a roadster. At no time that I have found, did Ford advertise an enclosed coupe as a "Doctor's Coupe" I have a feeling that some people just called Ford coupes that, because it was the body style most chosen and bought by Doctors, particularly country doctors.
-
- Posts: 1447
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:42 pm
- First Name: Frank
- Last Name: van Ekeren
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 touring, 1916 pick-up, 1924 coupe, 1926 touring, 1927 touring
- Location: Rosedale Vic Australia
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
There was 2 specific type of people that Ford targeted with period ads for the T Coupe.
Starting with.
1909 Coupe, as "THE IDEAL DOCTORS CAR"
And later on for Coupes.
"AN IDEAL CAR FOR WOMEN"
Last edited by Kerry on Thu Dec 23, 2021 1:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Posts: 957
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 1:32 am
- First Name: Ignacio
- Last Name: Valdes
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Touring
- Location: Houston, Tx
- Board Member Since: 2016
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
Any car that I am sitting in, LOL. My 1997 Honda Civic, single owner for 25 years next week 4 paint jobs 3-hits 2-floods, is also known as the 'Glamorous Doctor Car' and my staff calls it 'The Chick Magnet' as I climb out of it wearing my Walmart Croc knock-offs (best shoe $10 can buy), scrub pants, and t-shirt.
-
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Mon Oct 07, 2019 2:00 pm
- First Name: George John
- Last Name: Drobnock
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922 Coupe
- Location: Central Pennsylvania
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
So by 1910 there is evidence that the Ford Coupe is indeed a doctors coupe. It took ten years since the introduction of the De Dion Bouton Cab (Coupe Doctor) from 1900. Medical Journals carrying advertisements of Automobile shows in 1910 and advertisements with testimony that the Ford Coupe is satisfying for a doctor on his/her rounds.
Footnote: It seams that Dr Hedback was a motorhead. In 1910 the good doctor was inquiring in the Automobile Dealer if a higher compression would improve his Ford.
Although it leave a bad taste in my mouth, the Ford Coupe fro 1910 to 1927 is indeed a "Doctor's Coupe."
Footnote: It seams that Dr Hedback was a motorhead. In 1910 the good doctor was inquiring in the Automobile Dealer if a higher compression would improve his Ford.
Although it leave a bad taste in my mouth, the Ford Coupe fro 1910 to 1927 is indeed a "Doctor's Coupe."
-
- Posts: 3384
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Morsher
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925TT, 1926 Martin-Parry bodied wagon, 1927 mercury bodied speedster
- Location: Norwalk Ohio
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
Great stuff ! The De Dion Bouton is going to be tough to beat at 1900 ! Too bad they didn’t have an ignition system designed by “spider” Huff, they may have made millions
-
- Posts: 6262
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
- First Name: Frank
- Last Name: Brandi
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedsters (1919 w 1926 upgrades), 1926 (Ricardo Head)
- Location: Moline IL
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
IT'S ALL A MATTER OF SEMANTICS.
From reading everyone's response.
Ford had a Model labeled "The Doctor's Car", other models included Model B, Model C, Touring, Torpedo, Commercial Roadster, Coupe etc.
Pictures of "The Doctor's Car" clearly show that it was not a Coupe. While there are vintage ad's referring to the Coupe as a Model called "Doctor's Coupe" they don't appear to be authored by the Ford Motor Company but local Dealer ads. So the real question is what is the difference in what the Ford Motor Company call's a Coupe and what colloquially is referred to as a "Doctor's Coupe". Surely there must be a difference to set them apart.
--
This article explains the origin of the term https://carriagemuseumlibrary.org/doctor_buggy.htm
"The word Physician or doctor became a word that was attached to many different kinds of vehicles, meaning that it was a vehicle that was comfortable in all kinds of weather and easy to get in and out of. " Remember in those days Doctor's made house calls....
--
So the term "Doctor's Coupe", in the early 1900's, likely was an indication of a vehicle's capability rather than one designed explicitly for Doctors.
From reading everyone's response.
Ford had a Model labeled "The Doctor's Car", other models included Model B, Model C, Touring, Torpedo, Commercial Roadster, Coupe etc.
Pictures of "The Doctor's Car" clearly show that it was not a Coupe. While there are vintage ad's referring to the Coupe as a Model called "Doctor's Coupe" they don't appear to be authored by the Ford Motor Company but local Dealer ads. So the real question is what is the difference in what the Ford Motor Company call's a Coupe and what colloquially is referred to as a "Doctor's Coupe". Surely there must be a difference to set them apart.
--
This article explains the origin of the term https://carriagemuseumlibrary.org/doctor_buggy.htm
"The word Physician or doctor became a word that was attached to many different kinds of vehicles, meaning that it was a vehicle that was comfortable in all kinds of weather and easy to get in and out of. " Remember in those days Doctor's made house calls....
--
So the term "Doctor's Coupe", in the early 1900's, likely was an indication of a vehicle's capability rather than one designed explicitly for Doctors.
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.
Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
-
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Mon Oct 07, 2019 2:00 pm
- First Name: George John
- Last Name: Drobnock
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922 Coupe
- Location: Central Pennsylvania
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
"Too bad they didn’t have an ignition system designed by “spider” Huff, they may have made millions"
And there would be million of words, nay! Trillion, used to describe the proper way to set the coils for optimum operation.
And there would be million of words, nay! Trillion, used to describe the proper way to set the coils for optimum operation.
-
- Posts: 3384
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Morsher
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925TT, 1926 Martin-Parry bodied wagon, 1927 mercury bodied speedster
- Location: Norwalk Ohio
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
I’d have to disagree with that, Frank. In my mind and thoughts ( and I don’t have anything to back it up) doctors were generally more well to do, and with the required income to afford an automobile then. Remember, automobiles were certainly not for the masses at that point in time.
I would guess it was just a segment of high society that they were advertising to, and smartly. JMHO
Country doctors are a different animal. Most didn’t have the scratch, and the roads to support an auto at the turn of the century.
I would guess it was just a segment of high society that they were advertising to, and smartly. JMHO
Country doctors are a different animal. Most didn’t have the scratch, and the roads to support an auto at the turn of the century.
-
- Posts: 6262
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
- First Name: Frank
- Last Name: Brandi
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedsters (1919 w 1926 upgrades), 1926 (Ricardo Head)
- Location: Moline IL
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
No disagreement with a Doctor's economic status. This is Today's Doctor's coupeDropacent wrote: ↑Thu Dec 23, 2021 11:37 amI’d have to disagree with that, Frank. In my mind and thoughts ( and I don’t have anything to back it up) doctors were generally more well to do, and with the required income to afford an automobile then. Remember, automobiles were certainly not for the masses at that point in time.
I would guess it was just a segment of high society that they were advertising to, and smartly. JMHO
Country doctors are a different animal. Most didn’t have the scratch, and the roads to support an auto at the turn of the century.
In case your interested the Bugatti Chiron | Price: $3,000,000 (est)
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.
Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
-
- Posts: 1447
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:42 pm
- First Name: Frank
- Last Name: van Ekeren
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 touring, 1916 pick-up, 1924 coupe, 1926 touring, 1927 touring
- Location: Rosedale Vic Australia
Re: Definition of Doctor's coupe
Frank, to put your mind at rest, "The ideal Doctor's car." (Coupe) I posted was from the complete range of T's to be offered by Ford for the new models.