Description
We are pleased to offer a rare and outstanding early Ford Tourer. The Ford Model T, a cornerstone of automotive history, was a pivotal evolution of Henry Ford’s vision to make reliable, affordable transportation accessible to the masses. Introduced in 1908, the Model T transformed the automobile from a luxury to a necessity, and by 1911, it was in volume production as Ford’s assembly line innovations began to take effect, setting the stage for mass production.
Launched on October 1st 1908, the Model T was already a runaway success due to its durability, simplicity, and affordability. In an era when most cars were hand built and cost thousands, the Model T's initial price of $850 (roughly $27, 000 in 2025 dollars) for the touring model was revolutionary. By 1911, Ford was refining production at its Highland Park plant in Michigan, which opened in 1910 and would soon pioneer the moving assembly line (fully implemented by 1913). This allowed Ford to produce 34, 858 Model Ts in 1911, a significant jump from prior years, whilst at the same time lowering costs. The Model T's success reflected broader societal shifts. America was transitioning from horse-drawn transport to mechanized travel, with rural and urban communities alike embracing the motor car. The Model T's ruggedness suited the era's unpaved roads, and its versatility made it a favorite for farmers, small businesses, and families. It became a cultural icon, earning nicknames like "Tin Lizzie" and symbolizing American ingenuity and mobility.
The 1911 Model T was a practical, basic family car with a number of critical parts made of durable vanadium steel. The engine was a 2. 9-litre (177 cubic inch), inline 4-cylinder side-valve engine producing 20 horsepower at 1, 600 rpm. It ran on petrol (or ethanol at a pinch) and was known for its reliability. The engine's simple design allowed owners to perform repairs with basic tools. It had a splash lubrication system. Transmission was a 2-speed planetary gear system, operated via two foot pedals (one for forward, one for reverse) and a hand lever for neutral, second gear and brake. Throttle and ignition advance were on the steering column. This quirky setup required some skill but was intuitive once mastered. It had a top speed of about 40mph - fast enough for the basic roads and tracks of the era. A ladder-type chassis frame was used with a solid front and rear axle, suspended by transverse leaf springs. This gave a bouncy but durable ride, capable of handling rutted dirt tracks. In 1911, Ford produced 34, 858 Model Ts, a fraction of the 15 million eventually made by 1927, when production ended. The price dropped to $590 for the touring model by 1911 thanks to economies of scale, making it affordable for middle-class families. By 1913, the moving assembly line slashed production time, further cutting costs and cementing Ford's dominance.
The Model T revolutionized transportation, enabling cross-country travel, suburban growth, and new industries like gas stations and roadside diners. It empowered rural communities, connecting farmers to markets, and became a canvas for ingenuity-owners modified it for everything from mail delivery to racing. Its simplicity allowed blacksmiths and untrained amateur mechanics to keep it running, fostering a DIY ethos. The Model T was more than a car; it was a cultural force. It starred in early films, inspired songs, and became a symbol of American progress. Its quirks-like the hand-crank start and pedal-driven transmission-made it a character in its own right, immortalized in folklore and humour. Think Laurel and Hardy in their ‘T'.
By 1911, it was already reshaping society, laying the groundwork for the car-centric 20th century. This particular example was built in Canada with right hand drive, for export to New Zealand. It has been in long-term ownership in Yorkshire, and we have a full ownership history right back to new - even a photograph of the original owner! It was initially restored in New Zealand in 1986, but after leaving New Zealand, it spent some time in Basel, Switzerland before being exhibited in the Oldtimer Gallery in Toffen. It was then imported by a UK VCC member and went to Model T specialists Tuckett Brothers for some work, including the fitting of an electric starter. The car features Rocky Mountain brakes, runs on both trembler coil or magneto ignition and is absolutely ‘on the button' This brass-adorned gem has been a regular entrant at Model T gatherings in the UK over the years, in one ownership from 2007 - 2025. As well as a bull horn it has a town bell and also a delightful radiator top accessory brass calorimeter. Today, restored 1911 Model Ts are prized by collectors, their chugging engines and brass trim evoking a bygone era when the automobile represented a bold new frontier. This really is the most stunning example, to admire, to polish and to use. It comes with a luggage carrier, a few spares, and some fitted cloth brasswork covers. We will supply a tin of Brasso with the car and can offer driver training to the uninitiated.
