1911 Ford Model T Torpedo
Now Offered Without Reserve

Registration No: SV 5125
Chassis No: 61151
MOT: Exempt

• Rare and desirable Torpedo body-style
• Restored in the early 1990s by the Tuckett Bros of North Marston (renowned Model T specialists)
• Current ownership since 1995 with only one other UK keeper
• Accompanied by full weather gear trimmed in Black

The world has long since run out of new things to say about the Model T (affectionately known as the ‘Tin Lizzie'). Ford was already progressing impressively before launching the T in the autumn of 1908, but it was the model which set the company, and the world, on the move. The statistics are staggering: it was the first car to be mass-produced and the first to be manufactured in several countries simultaneously. Production ran for nineteen years, during which time some 16.5 million examples were built. The timing of the T was perfect. It came to market just as motorcars were gaining interest and acceptance and sold for less than a wagon and team of horses. It mobilised people the world over and for the first sixteen years of production accounted for no less than 40 percent of all car sales in America - small wonder that it was voted ‘The World's Most Influential Car Of The 20th Century'. The epicyclic transmission had two forward speeds and reverse and was controlled by a combination of three foot pedals and a lever - a real test for drivers who cut their teeth on modern cars!

Ford restyled the Model T for 1911, giving it a new radiator, fenders and wheels. Its body now used steel panels over a wood framework, as opposed to earlier all wood construction. Whereas cars were previously offered in red, grey, or green, for 1911 dark blue was selected as a standard colour (any colour as long as it's black still lay in the future). Some body-styles, like the Coupé, were phased out, but two new ones were offered, the Torpedo Runabout and the Open Runabout. These two differed from the others by having curved fenders, a longer hood, lower seating, and around a 16-gallon fuel tank on the rear deck. The Torpedo Runabout had doors, while the Open Runabout did not. The late Les Henry, a renowned Model T historian, wrote that these runabouts had undoubtedly the best performance and greatest speed of all Model T Fords ever produced.

Manufactured in 1911, little is known about this desirable and racy Torpedo model's early life, although it is understood to have resided in Canada prior to its importation into the United Kingdom in the early 1990s. Fitted with the 2890cc side-valve four-cylinder engine producing some 20hp, ‘SV 5125’ is finished in Grey with Black leather interior upholstery and is accompanied by the full weather equipment (hood, side screens and hood bag) also in Black. Subject to a restoration by the well-renowned Model T specialists, the Tuckett Brothers, ‘SV 5125’ was purchased by the vendor in 1995, shortly after the completion of the said restoration. Subject to some further recommissioning by the Tuckett Brothers in 2012 which comprised a replacement carburettor, overhauled coil box; recommissioned back axle; new exhaust values and steering fettling. Offered with a history file that contains several older invoices; previous MOTs and tax discs dating back to the mid-1990s and a current V5C document.

PLEASE NOTE: This lot is now offered without reserve.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452