How about Half a T?

Discuss all things Model T related.
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
Roverdriver
Posts: 63
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 1:24 am
First Name: Dane
Last Name: Hawley
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Nil
Location: Near Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

How about Half a T?

Post by Roverdriver » Mon Mar 23, 2020 10:27 pm

In 1973, my Wife and I were touring through parts of our state and stopped to look through a country museum in the town of Kerang (Victoria, Australia). There we saw this fascinating little car. I have posted one photo of it before, and have just come across the other two coloured slides that we took that day. We have passed through the town several times since then, but alas, each time the museum has been closed. I wanted an opportunity to study the car in more detail- things like how the transmission was achieved, where and how was the ignitions system etc.

The story told to me at the time, was that the car had been a part-time project of a local farmer, who back in the 1920's decided to create something different for motoring. He was armed with dedication, patience and a hacksaw, for that appears to be how the engine was halved.

Below is the image that you might have seen before. The other two have not been previously posted.

Image

Image

Image

Dane.


Wayne Sheldon
Posts: 3672
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:13 pm
First Name: Wayne
Last Name: Sheldon
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Runabout 1913 Speedster
Location: Grass Valley California, USA
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: How about Half a T?

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Tue Mar 24, 2020 1:15 am

Hey there Dane H! Neat car! A half a mind, a hacksaw, equals half a model T ! Wonderful tale, and neat little car. I hope you can find out more about it.
Thank you for sharing the pictures!


Mr man
Posts: 63
Joined: Fri Jan 17, 2020 6:51 pm
First Name: Carson
Last Name: Combs
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 touring, 1923 roadster pickup project
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: How about Half a T?

Post by Mr man » Tue Mar 24, 2020 10:30 am

That's pretty cool dane. What a cute little car!! I wonder what it sounds like when its running.

User avatar

RichardG
Posts: 353
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:29 pm
First Name: Richard
Last Name: Grzegorowicz
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1921 T pickup
Location: Hartland VT

Re: How about Half a T?

Post by RichardG » Tue Mar 24, 2020 10:50 am

THAT'S SO NEAT, THE T CRANK IS DESIGN'D SO THE TWO CENTER PISTONS ARE DOWN WHEN THE TWO OUTER ARE UP, SO IT MAY SOUND LIKE THE JOHN DEERE,SORTA, WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW HE GOT ENOUGH FLY WHEEL TO SMOOTH IT OUT, LIKE ON A HARD HILL CLIMB , ANY WAY IT IS A NEAT JOB, THANKS DANE,

User avatar

Rich Eagle
Posts: 6815
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
MTFCA Number: 1219
Contact:

Re: How about Half a T?

Post by Rich Eagle » Tue Mar 24, 2020 12:25 pm

In the '60s a friend in Sparks, NV bought a small race car that Harrah's had been trying to buy. It had 3 of those 2 cyl engines with it, a Model T, a Model A and a Chevrolet. They had billet crankshafts. The T had half an overhead valve head with "JO" in raised letters. I don't know where the "RA" went. I could have had the spare engines for restoring the car but time and space prevented that. If time permits I will try to get some photos.
Rich
When did I do that?

User avatar

DanTreace
Posts: 3323
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:56 am
First Name: Dan
Last Name: Treace
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '23 cutoff, '25 touring, '27 touring
Location: North Central FL
MTFCA Number: 4838
MTFCI Number: 115
Board Member Since: 2000
Contact:

Re: How about Half a T?

Post by DanTreace » Tue Mar 24, 2020 9:26 pm

Neat little 2 cyl. Ford T :D That is something!

Kinda brought back memory of this 'Half Pint' Model T that was offered at Hershey in 2015.

Was strolling and looking, and had to do a double take, that wheel base sure was smaller :o Just had to take photos!

IMG_4642.JPG
IMG_4641.JPG
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford


Allan
Posts: 5256
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
First Name: Allan
Last Name: Bennett
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
Location: Gawler, Australia

Re: How about Half a T?

Post by Allan » Thu Mar 26, 2020 5:56 am

Dane, last time I saw that car it had a pair of E&J brass sidelights on it. Looks like someone talked them out of those.

Allan from down under.

User avatar

Henry K. Lee
Posts: 5339
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:09 am
First Name: Henry
Last Name: Lee
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Many
Location: South Pittsburg, TN
MTFCA Number: 479
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: How about Half a T?

Post by Henry K. Lee » Thu Mar 26, 2020 6:18 am

Here's one Dad and I built years back for a customer, Enjoy!

DSC00109.jpeg
DSC00107.jpeg
DSC00106.jpeg

All the Best,

Hank

User avatar

Rich Eagle
Posts: 6815
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
MTFCA Number: 1219
Contact:

Re: How about Half a T?

Post by Rich Eagle » Thu Mar 26, 2020 8:46 am

When did I do that?

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic