1914 Ford Model T

Description

What's more charming than a Model T with a wood body? This 1914 Model T offers brass-era personality and if you want a slam-dunk parade vehicle that's a lot of fun to drive and always draws a crowd, it'll be hard to top this neat little depot hack.

Somehow this trucklet looks far more substantial than most Model Ts, perhaps due to the quality of the body's construction. The familiar Model T brass radiator shell and fenders look great, but the body is what makes this one special. Bright green paint isn't all that unusual, because Ford would, indeed, paint your depot hack colors other than black in 1914. The wood body is far from one of those goofy home-built jobs that are little better than the packing crates they're made from, and it has a functional, rugged look that suits the T just fine. Note the curved front section that sweeps in to meet the cowl and the nicely-fitted doors that make it easy to clamber aboard and virtually disappear when they're closed. OK, so weather protection is pretty light, but the fabric top is nicely finished and quite authentic-looking and it's not like you're going to try to drive this thing cross-country, right?

However, if you were to try a long road trip, you might find this depot hack a better choice than many other Model Ts. There's room for six or seven inside, with an upright front bench, two middle chairs that offer access to the rear seat, which has a handy storage compartment underneath. As with all Model Ts, instrumentation is very rudimentary, offering only an ammeter and an ignition switch, plus the coil box on the dash. The controls will be easy enough to master once you've seen it done, and from behind the wheel, the depot hack feels substantial, not spindly like many of its siblings. Black leatherette upholstery is rugged and appropriate, and the wood is nicely finished inside and out and doesn't look like it's been exposed to the elements.

Ford's tough little 4-cylinder engine will get you just about anywhere you want to go, provided you have the time. Fortunately, it has a few upgrades that will make it a far more appealing car to those of you who like to drive, including a 12-volt electrical system and an electric starter that spins the engine over with real vigor. As someone who has spent an afternoon cursing and shouting at a Model T with a hand crank starter, I'm telling you that this is a VERY big deal. We believe the engine is a 1925 model, so it has a few upgrades that came later, including a water pump instead of the thermo-syphon system, and it still has that jaunty exhaust note that makes these cars so charming. Rocky Mountain brakes are a welcome addition, particularly if you drive fully loaded, and it seems pretty content to pluck along at 30-35 MPH, which is plenty, believe me. Handsome 21-inch wood spoke wheels look right and carry 450/475-21 BFGoodrich Silvertown tires that are period-correct.

A fun little woody that really turns heads and is loaded with accessories like a Bermuda Bell and train whistle (that assembly you see hanging above the driver's B-pillar), this is a 1-car parade that's ready to enjoy. Call today!