Talk:Ford Model T
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An event mentioned in this article is a May 27 selected anniversary.
This really should be Ford Model T, in my opinion, but I'm unclear how to move it with the redirect page already there, and would be interested in hearing a heads-up if I'm wrong about it in any case. Hephaestos 00:47 Feb 6, 2003 (UTC)
-
- Cut and paste.
Contents |
[edit] cnn carrying an story that contradicts the facts in this article
CNN published this article on Aug 12, 2004
http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/08/06/model.t/index.html
that claims the first model t finished production on aug 12. It also has a lot of facts about ford and the model t that are interesting an would be good to site for this article.
- Actually it says that production began on Aug 12; however, both of the links (The Henry Ford Museum established by Henry himself and the Model T Club of America which has monthly production data online) say that it was October. Perhaps a prototype was made in August? Rmhermen 04:31, Aug 9, 2004 (UTC)
[edit] Photograph of a Model T suspension
I just happened to have this photograph of the suspension of a Model T but I'm not sure how to integrate it into this article. I'll leave it here in hopes that someone can find something to do with it. Triddle 04:06, 28 Mar 2005 (UTC)
- Done! (nice picture) - Adrian Pingstone 09:17, 28 Mar 2005 (UTC)
That's a good photo, but please note that the small coil spring shown is actually an after-market shock absorber, and was not original factory equipment.
Yes, that photo is rather misleading. We should consider revising it with a stock configuration.
Also, note that the car in this photo has its hand-crank in the front, which contradicts the "right side, not in front, as commonly believed" line in the "Engine and means of starting" section.
[edit] Carburetion day
I've read the T from 1907 used a Holley Model G carb. Trekphiler 20:56, 17 December 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Cost?
Can anyone add the cost of this vehicle on its release and throughout time? Also the present cost that a vintage Model T can bring? This would substantially improve the article, as it is stated as being a cheap car for the masses in that time. --64.75.187.201 06:13, 6 April 2006 (UTC)
- Much of that is already in there: "It was sold in the beginning at a price of $850 when competing cars often cost $2000-$3000. By the 1920s the price had fallen to $300 (about $3,300 in 2005 inflation-adjusted dollars)" As to the current prices - there were millions of them, they are not especially valuable - and many hot rod versions are built with modern fiberglass bodies, instead of old parts. Rmhermen 17:02, 6 April 2006 (UTC)
- I don't doubt the Japan black paint was cheaper; I've also heard it was preferred because it dried faster, & therefore was more suited to hi-vol production. Trekphiler 11:15, 27 July 2006 (UTC)
- I've heard both stories. But note that barns, etc. always used to be painted with red lead paint, because it was cheapest (because it covered better with less). I don't know if that is relevant to car paint or not, though. Gzuckier 14:42, 28 July 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Personal comment
I've called the Boeing 737 a "Tin Lizzie" of jetliners (but never in public), because it shares some symbolism with the Model T: mass manufactured and wildly popular among airlines, with an air of cheapness (at least to the airlines; otherwise they presumably wouldn't be purchasing it en masse). I'd also extend the nickname to the Boeing 727 as well (the previous popularity king). At least the Boeing 727s and 737s aren't all in black! — Rickyrab | Talk 21:19, 5 June 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Cranky
I changed the "front crank" to "side crank". The '03 T (all early Ts?) were side-cranks. (I've seen pictures, & it surprised me, too.) This appears to have changed; I don't know when. Trekphiler 11:10, 27 July 2006 (UTC)
- Removed statement - there were no '03 Model T's. It didn't come out until '08. Rmhermen 17:46, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Concurrent Model T Engine Article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Model_T_engine
The article on the Model T engine is not linked to from the engine section here. The information is more or less the same, but there are several pictures and notes about changes made over time. I will go ahead and add the link and someone can meld it in later if needed. Decatur 19:53, 26 November 2006 (UTC)
- I'd like to keep it separate since we have so many articles about Ford engines. --216.49.153.98 19:47, 2 December 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Add to article
The windshield (how was it cleared from rain, for example) and convertible top (how was it lowered on sunny days?) should be mentioned in the article. Badagnani 01:37, 28 November 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Vandalization?
The section "Engine and means of starting" contains the sentence "Before starting a Model T deul fucking power with the hand crank, you had to retard the spark, or you stood a chance of damaging the starter or having the hand crank spin around wildly and break your arm." I think that "deul fucking power" is extraneous (and misspelled.) I attempted to edit the document but did not find the additional text in the text offered for editing. I don't know who to proceed in this case and am alerting the community in hopes that the more knowledgeable will fix this. Mark F. West38.112.183.231 19:45, 6 December 2006 (UTC)
eh em. That's so cool! I never new that Tin Lizzie was a model t ford
24.81.23.167 05:24, 28 December 2006 (UTC)Barbara
[edit] Fuel economy
The article claims 25 to 30 mpg, a figure that I've seen on a number of web sites. However, I'm concerned that people may be just parroting the same inflated number. http://www.modelt.ca/faq-fs.html claims "12-14 miles per US gallon" while http://cbs5.com/seenon/local_story_228191600.html and http://www.energy-group.com/automobiles.htm claim "13 miles per gallon in the city and 21 on the highway". Julesd 17:36, 19 February 2007 (UTC)
- I've edited the article to say "13-21 mpg" based on Ford's own claim at http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=858. Julesd 17:58, 19 February 2007 (UTC)