I've heard that the Model T could be classed as an SUV and this old movie certainly confirms that. The car initially looks frail but looks can be deceiving. They were remarkable machines.
Light weight, loads of ground clearance, tough machinery and gears.. I wouldn't take my modern streetmobile over that stuff, only a jeep. I think the weak link might be the wooden wheels but even they held up. The T really can do a lot and that's why it was so popular.
Dave Bloxham. Yes, light weight, ground clearance, and toughness were 51% of the equation. The narrow tiers with chains, differential lock ring set, and the astounding axle articulation of the T were the other 49%.
How the heck could I be so fussy and prudently driving my Model T. It's so sturdy. I'm gonna change the way I'm using it. Only kidding . I have like You Mitch great love and passion for classic cars. Thanks for interesting video.
Just simply amazing, what this "frail" automobile could and still can do. Would like to see one of these modern 2500kg SUVs doing in that landscape, haha! The Lizzie rules all the way and it is allright, if she stucks - it is no Jeep at all. Great video, Mitch!
Looking closely, have they locked up the differential somehow? The wheels appear to spin together, yet there is a bump as if there is a diff in there, which according to my research, the Model T had. Possibly common at the time for agricultural or rural drivers, I don't know. Not an uncommon method to get extra traction in really poor surfaces, to this day, including of course, Limited Slip and so on.
For it's time the T was a good vehicle but it didn't have to pass federal emissions, safety regulations, roll over tests, fuel efficiency, ect. The 4 banger only put out 20hp on a good day, my single cylinder motorcycle puts out more than that. The frame and rear axle are the weak links. Put a hopped up flat head in a T and it won't handle it. Metallurgy has come a long way in the last 100 years. The main reasons it wheeled so good was the noodle frame, soft leaf springs, simple differential design and skinny tires. Plus it only weighs 1k lbs. Nobody noticed the cut scenes when it got stuck and needed five guys to push it out?
Metallurgy has indeed come a long way in the last 100 years, however you wont find much stronger car frames than that of a Model T - the chassis rails, axles, and gears constructed from Vanadium Steel. Henry Ford himself insisted every Ford dealership had a Model T front axle on display which had been twisted not less than eight times to demonstrate the superiority of Vanadium Steel.
If the Model T had to go through all the emissions and regulations, etc... it would not have bee affordable. Govt. intervention drives up the cost of vehicles. The Govt. needs to get out of the auto business, just like health care. Let the free market do what it was intended to do. If a car is built poorly and unsafe, people won't buy it and the manufacturer will be forced to change or go out of business, the Govt. doesn't need to be involved to tell the auto manufacturers how to build a car. If a car is faulty and kills someone, that's up to the courts to decide if they were liable.
Damn that thing off roads like a beast
I've heard that the Model T could be classed as an SUV and this old movie certainly confirms that. The car initially looks frail but looks can be deceiving. They were remarkable machines.
Never realized how much the fenders and boards add to that car till I saw this. Thanks for posting.
Light weight, loads of ground clearance, tough machinery and gears.. I wouldn't take my modern streetmobile over that stuff, only a jeep. I think the weak link might be the wooden wheels but even they held up. The T really can do a lot and that's why it was so popular.
Dave Bloxham. Yes, light weight, ground clearance, and toughness were 51% of the equation. The narrow tiers with chains, differential lock ring set, and the astounding axle articulation of the T were the other 49%.
So popular? It was so popular because they where the only car available.
Incredible, the first mass produced car offered in any colour the customer wanted, as long as he wanted it in black.
Mitch , I'm always amazed on how those car went thru anything. And this guy played the piano while driving.. Amazing.. LOL Thanks Ron for New York USA
Somewhere around 5:20 he lost his hood! (Maybe ‘bonnet’ in the UK).
How the heck could I be so fussy and prudently driving my Model T. It's so sturdy. I'm gonna change the way I'm using it. Only kidding . I have like You Mitch great love and passion for classic cars. Thanks for interesting video.
I wish ford made an anniversary examples in 2008 :'(
I think they made eight or so for the family. I haven't heard any more about them.
Better video than robbery footage.
Just simply amazing, what this "frail" automobile could and still can do. Would like to see one of these modern 2500kg SUVs doing in that landscape, haha! The Lizzie rules all the way and it is allright, if she stucks - it is no Jeep at all. Great video, Mitch!
Really enjoyed this Mitch! Thanks! Maybe I’m coddling my little coupe too much!
Model t,s are better than any jeep or hummer in my opinion
we are now celebrating this event by having a bronze model T in Fort William's Cameron Square, the unvelling ceremony will be this weekend
What do you think of it? They could have chosen a better location to place it in my opinion.
Looking closely, have they locked up the differential somehow? The wheels appear to spin together, yet there is a bump as if there is a diff in there, which according to my research, the Model T had. Possibly common at the time for agricultural or rural drivers, I don't know. Not an uncommon method to get extra traction in really poor surfaces, to this day, including of course, Limited Slip and so on.
You can buy a Ford in any color as long as it was black
Wouldn't that slow driving through the snow burn the first speed band too fast?
It needs better wheels then you are set. It would be nice to drive without toothpicks as spokes
Wood spoke wheels and no spare!
For it's time the T was a good vehicle but it didn't have to pass federal emissions, safety regulations, roll over tests, fuel efficiency, ect. The 4 banger only put out 20hp on a good day, my single cylinder motorcycle puts out more than that. The frame and rear axle are the weak links. Put a hopped up flat head in a T and it won't handle it. Metallurgy has come a long way in the last 100 years. The main reasons it wheeled so good was the noodle frame, soft leaf springs, simple differential design and skinny tires. Plus it only weighs 1k lbs. Nobody noticed the cut scenes when it got stuck and needed five guys to push it out?
Metallurgy has indeed come a long way in the last 100 years, however you wont find much stronger car frames than that of a Model T - the chassis rails, axles, and gears constructed from Vanadium Steel. Henry Ford himself insisted every Ford dealership had a Model T front axle on display which had been twisted not less than eight times to demonstrate the superiority of Vanadium Steel.
If the Model T had to go through all the emissions and regulations, etc... it would not have bee affordable. Govt. intervention drives up the cost of vehicles. The Govt. needs to get out of the auto business, just like health care. Let the free market do what it was intended to do. If a car is built poorly and unsafe, people won't buy it and the manufacturer will be forced to change or go out of business, the Govt. doesn't need to be involved to tell the auto manufacturers how to build a car. If a car is faulty and kills someone, that's up to the courts to decide if they were liable.
I noticed it getting stuck.
I guess in the past, it was a big triunph to cross on off road terrain when in this days any car can do that.