1926 Ford Model T Roadster (LHD)

Description

Included on just about every list of the most significant automobiles ever made, Henry Ford's legendary Model T brought motoring to millions of Americans and transformed society as a result. Affectionately known the world over as the “Tin Lizzie”, the Model T was introduced in October 1908, just five years after Ford established his new company in Dearborn. Combining rugged mechanicals in a lightweight chassis, willing performance from the 20 horsepower L-head 177ci four cylinder engine and exceptional value for money, the Model T proved a runaway success for the Ford Motor Co. Suspension consisted of a transverse semi-elliptic leaf spring at each corner and the wheels were of the wooden-spoked artillery variety with pneumatic tyres, while the transmission was a foot-operated planetary gearchange. The braking system employed a hand-operated internal expanding system on the rear wheels and a transmission brake operated by a pedal. Although early Model Ts were built by hand in the traditional manner, in 1913 Ford revolutionised automobile production with his moving assembly line, drastically reducing the time from 12.5 hours down to just over 1.5 hours per unit. Mass production really put the Model T on the map and gave rise in the famous motto “available in any colour so long as it's black”, although early cars were sold in a variety of colours. Although the basic formula remained substantially the same throughout the Model T's almost two decades long production life, numerous minor improvements were made, including an electric starter from 1918, routinely updated styling and the option of wire-spoked wheels on later models. With more than 15 million built between 1908 and 1927, the Model T is rightly regarded as the most influential automobile of its era and did more than any other car to put America on wheels.