Lot Ended
Description
AMENDMENT: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ADDED
Imported from Marseille in
1979 and just two owners since, the current for 14 years; well-maintained and in
good running order; in great shape for a 101-year-old!
The Model T was
launched by the Ford Motor Company in 1908 and is generally regarded as the
first affordable automobile, the car which "put America on wheels". By 1914, the
assembly process for the Model T had been so streamlined it took only 93 minutes
to assemble a car. That year Ford produced more cars than all other car makers
combined.
Costing just $850 at launch when
competing cars often cost $2,000 - $3,000, the Model T was a huge commercial
success, and by the time Henry Ford made his 10 millionth car, 9 out of 10 of
all cars in the entire world were Fords. In total, more than 15 million Model Ts
were manufactured before production ended in 1927, more than any other model of
car for almost a century. Powered by a 2.9-litre monobloc 4-cylinder engine, it
was capable of 45mph and returned 25-30mpg.
Dating from 1924, this Model T was imported from Marseille, France in
1979 by a Mr K Knapton of Bradford at which point it was just a rolling chassis
in a fairly dilapidated state, as shown in a photo on file (see image 44).
Five years later and Mr Knapton had restored the
T, documents on file stating that the engine, brakes and electrics were all
refurbished, the interior was retrimmed, five new 475 x 21 tyres were fitted
which cost £221 and it also received a wooden Huckster body made by Dransfield
Cabinets of Gomersal which cost £1,250 (see image 45).
Correspondence on file shows that he succeeded in getting it
registered as SL 9805 in July 1984, a copy of the V5 showing that he was to keep
it for the next 27 years.
Our vendor, only the
second UK owner, acquired the T in March 2011 via Central Motor Auctions of
Leeds. He has done a fair bit of work to the vehicle since, notes on file
stating that the following jobs have been carried out: front steering, kingpins
and bushes all restored; converted to 12v distributor and alternator; oiling
system fitted to front piston; new geared starter motor; re-cored
radiator.
The vendor states that it runs and
drives well and is very quick for a Model T, as he demonstrated by hoofing it
around our yard in impressively casual style (see video). Although the V5C
erroneously records the capacity as 2,000cc, this is a mistake and it has the
correct 3-litre engine (no. 11.315.100). A highly detailed 296-page Model T
service manual is also included.
On offer here at
a modest guide price, this 101-year-old Model T appears to be in fine fettle
throughout and no doubt has another century or more of useful life ahead of
it.
PS - 2/08/25: The vendor
has just supplied the following extra details:
The wheels have
been remade with new ash spokes and new wheel bearings
New tyres all round,
bought 10 years ago and kept out of the sun and vehicle kept on blocks when not
in use
New rear brake shoes
New Babbitt bearings for engine big end
New
geared starter motor
12v conversion
New alternator
New wiring
New
fuel lines and sediment bowl
New leather upholstery and steam-bent ash wooden
seat
Oiling system to feed extra oil to the front piston (for driving up
steep hills) as engine is lubricated via dippers (splash
lubrication)
Consigned by James
Dennison – 07970 309907 – [email protected]