![]() Standard color on these cars was “Dark Blue” which was so dark that it appears to be black in photographs. The early cars used the “square” gas tank, later cars got the same round tank as the Torpedo.Ībove, a brand new Open Runabout with the “Torpedo Horn” and the smaller carbide tank used in later production. The Open Runabout shared the same gas tank design as the Torpedo Runabout. Prices varied depending on the cost of shipping from Dearborn. Must have been quite a contest for the Open Runabout to have been only the Fourth place prize. Somehow three people have squeezed into the 1911 Torpedo Runabout above. There was a “Commercial Runabout,” the “Torpedo Runabout” shown in our photos above, and the “Open Runabout”. There were three Runabout body styles offered in 1911 model year. Sales were not impressive compared to the Touring body style. With two seat capacity the Torpedo Runabout was not for everybody. ![]() Headlamps on this car are again E & J model 666.Ī third person took the photo – we don’t think they were riding in the Torpedo. The other interesting thing is that women could not vote yet they are often seen as the driver in period torpedo photographs. Were they like that from the factory? Maybe they were an owner installed attempt at modernization. This car is equipped with black and brass cowl lamps. The torpedo runabout body style that began in October 1910 was built well into 1912 model year. Headlamps are E & J Model 666, Cowl lamps are also E & J.Ībove, this photo is notable for several reasons. The car has the later round fuel tank, and a Prestolite carbide tank mounted on the running board. This car is equipped with the later “Torpedo” horn, made smaller to allow the hood to be opened without scraping the horn. Notice the rear view mirror, another popular accessory.Ībove we see a later example of the 1911 Model T Torpedo Runabout. We can tell it is an early 1911 Torpedo Runabout from the full sized horn and the front axle with one piece spindles. The car above likely has the square fuel tank. The carbide generator also was made smaller to allow a more graceful entry and exit for the driver.Įlectric headlamps were becoming popular by 1911, yet Ford still did not offer them even as an option. The bulb horn was downsized for Torpedos later in the model year to allow more room to open the hood. This body style is noteworthy as Ford’s first Model T to be offered with a fully enclosed driver’s compartment.Ī photo from the 1911 color catalogue shows an early Torpedo Runabout equipped with the standard sized bulb horn and carbide generator. In 1911 model year the Torpedo Runabouts were always painted dark blue with black leather interior and grey pin stripe. In 1911 and all subsequent model years the cars all were sold “fully equipped”.Ībove we see the interior of a Right Hand Drive 1911 Torpedo Runabout restored in the current owner’s choice of colors, in this case red exterior and tan leather interior. 1910 model year was the last time that Ford offered to sell Model T’s without top, windshield, side curtains and gas lamps. Notice in the price list above there are no prices or mention of “unequipped cars”. At $725 the Torpedo Runabout was fully equipped with carbide headlights, kerosene parking lamps and tail lamp, windshield and folding top. The fuel tank had to be mounted there in order to lower the seat position, giving the Torpedo its racy appearance. Upon its introduction the Model T Torpedo Runabout of 1911 had a rectangular or “square” shaped fuel tank mounted behind the seat. ![]() The hood was lengthened, and the steering column, longer to compensate for the lengthened hood, was placed at a lower angle to give a more “racy” appearance. Both of these features were unheard of in previous Model T production. The new Torpedo Runabout had a steel paneled body and curved fenders front and rear. The first of the new “1911” Fords to be released to the public were the new Torpedo Runabout body style introduced on October 5, 1910. Any changes that were made in those early years were to fix design flaws or to streamline assembly and production. Ford had an extraordinary success on its hands. The cars of 1909- 1910 were relatively unchanged during their run, and with good reason. Ford planned and implemented extensive changes for the 1911 model year.
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