Ford Never Made One: 1924 Ford Model T Speedster
While Ford made at least a couple dozen body styles for the Model T over its long production history, a speedster was not one of them. But with fifteen million sold, eventually, people began to use the T as hot rod fodder. Actually, people used Model Ts for all sorts of things, including pumping water, snowmobiling, sawing logs, plowing fields, selling flowers, and so on – all the while cursing its various foibles, which were many. But the T was the original hot rod, achieved by stripping the body to its bare minimum and bolting on performance parts from the flourishing ecosystem of parts purveyors. Here on craigslist is a 1924 Model T Speedster with an asking price of $19,900 located in North Longview, Texas. This car has been completely restored and it runs and drives great. It has only about 250 miles on the restoration. This tip came courtesy of Pat L – thanks Pat!
The Model T’s original motor was a 20 hp 177 cu. in. flathead four-cylinder. The engine could run on kerosene, gasoline, or ethanol. It was as simple as a stone and could be fixed by its owner. Its top speed was around 40 mph – a scary proposition in a time when most people had no driving experience and roads were barely more than wagon ruts. Two forward speeds and a reverse gear were incorporated into a planetary transmission. This motor has been rebuilt along with the transmission and rear axle. The car has a generator and an electric start (introduced in 1919) though if you want a punishing experience it still has the hand crank. I noticed that several “Model T” speedsters have had motor transplants, but the Model T club forum warns that some swaps will involve beefing up the chassis and reengineering the mounts.
The interior, like the rest of the car, is pristine. This car has a new “monocle” windshield. The pedals in a Model T are, from right to left, the brake, the shift from forward to reverse, and the clutch; the throttle is on the steering column. Driving a Model T is a different experience. The clutch pedal reaches neutral when pressed halfway down. All the way down is low gear. The “brake” really operates bands in the transmission – there are no wheel brakes.
Speedster kits are sold by all manner of vendors. This one is a steel Rootlieb body. But there’s Eckler’s, Lang’s, and back in the day, Sears Roebuck and Bub Body sold “speed bodies”. This nearly perfect car could provide a lot of fun albeit at a leisurely pace, but what do you think it’ll sell for?
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Comments
Good looking speedster, could be a fun summer in town driver. Electric start, looks to be very open and roomy what more could you ask for? Seriously very few people know how to drive a T so unlikely it would be stolen. Putt it around town and enjoy.
“But the T was the original hot rod, achieved by stripping the body to its bare minimum and bolting on performance parts from the flourishing ecosystem of parts purveyors.” Sometimes they came up with their own mods, as in the Midgets that raced the Springfield (IL) Raceway. Most were made using “T’s” s in the one my dad and his brother raced in the 30’s having bought one for .50 cents and stripped the remnants into a racer. Dad said it was tough to race with the guy that put an ELCO 4 cylinder (2 stroke) outboard motor in his rig because the smell from the Castrol “bean oil” was nauseating…
Thank you, Michelle-great article. Brought back some good old racing story memories..
“The pedals in a Model T are, from right to left, the brake, the shift from forward to reverse, and the clutch; the throttle is on the steering column. Driving a Model T is a different experience. The clutch pedal reaches neutral when pressed halfway down. All the way down is low gear. The “brake” really operates bands in the transmission”
I’m guessing not too many people were arrested for driving these while intoxicated.
I was arrested when I was 16 years old in building my 1924 model T from a dump truck pile given to me. If you can but it together, it’s yours. Well, built a wood body, had fenders and homemade running boards. Then I came across a distributor like in this photo of engine. That brought back many memories. OH, when I got it running, living in a city, I took it for a spin around the block to check out the new distributor. Wow, what a difference. Never police around when you need one. Except this time.
Doesn’t the word “interior” indicate “inside”? :)
this is an “outerior”. Looks nice but I’d modernize the drive train..
You don’t get *into* this car, you get *on* it.
The Gilmore Museum offers Model T driving classes. Great campus of museum’s…I spent a day and a half and didn’t scratch the scratch.
I love the looks of this vehicle, would be fun to drive around here.
Nice work !!
I have not done work to this level, but I have removed, cleaned, and painted suspension parts, and other items on my cars, so I know it takes an effort and a willingness to achieve a high level of quality.
This car looks great !
Kudos to the people who did the work !!
Quite A unique vehicle. Not too sure about price tag though.
Very nice one…you can easily put $20,000 into a car these days, powder coating my wire wheels was 150-200 each depending upon the amount of old paint and if they had to be dipped. Model T’s are not for everyone, sometimes I curse mine and wish it was a Model A , but Model A speedsters just don’t look correct , and I have had tons more people stop and stare at the Model T than when I owned a 1969 Camaro RS. Half the fun ( mostly fun) has been the adventure of working on it , looking for accessories and building a few .
What a great car. This would be a must for my collection. If I had a collection!
That pipe there,looking just below coil…..???? Is that right?
Imagine putting in an S10 or Ranger engine with a five speed. 75-85 mph top speeds would be easily obtainable. A scary ride!