1913 Ford Model T Runabout
This is a Ford T Runabout, built October 31, 1913,
at the Highland Park, Michigan plant. The car has serial
number 364814.
1913 was the first year for Henry's
mass production
line, and the year he changed America.
This little car is a completely correct example of Ford's
1914 model year 2 seater runabout.
The engine block has a casting date of
10-15-13, and it was built on Halloween, 1913.
Back in the fall of 1913, this
car could have been yours for under $500 US.
It is one of 183,572 Model T Fords produced in 1913,
one of 35,017 runabouts made in the same year, one of
7,334 cars produced in October of 1913 and one of 710 cars produced on
that day.
1913 was the first year
for the 'black and brass' cars, so called because the windshield,
acetylene generator, side lights and horn
were painted black with small brass accents. Previous model years
used all brass for these components. Everything works on this car,
including the acetylene headlights.
The RestorationThe two seater runabout, often mistakenly called a roadster, is also called a turtledeck, so named because of the downward sloping rear trunk compartment just behind the front two seats. |
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Our little turtledeck didn't always look as fine as it does now. When we found this car in 1998, it had 1936 New York State license plates, and major surgery was in order. Every attempt to preserve the car as Henry Ford had built her was taken. Our efforts have paid off, since this car was judged following restoration at Lakeside '99 for authenticity and received top honors in its class. |
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The only additions to this completely stock Model-T we have made are the toolbox, the dogbone radiator cap with motometer, and the brass treads on the running boards. These after market accessories were available for the car in 1913, just not from Ford. The pictures above below show how this car looked when we found it -- pretty rough. The front and rear fenders were missing, both the front axle and the rear end had been changed some time ago with parts from later cars. During restoration, original components were found and restored. |
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The picture to the right is taken just before restoration began, with the body off and the remainder of the car shown here, stored in the drive shed. It all looks pretty hopeless at this point. |
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The picture below shows the rear axle under restoration. The bearings, pinion and drive gears are inspected for wear and replaced as necessary and new brass thrust washers installed.
The whole assmembly is then put back together, filled and
painted. |
The body is rebuilt on a spare frame inside the shop, where any punky wood is replaced with new oak and ash. This guarantees that the body will fit squarely when mounted on the finished frame.
This photo shows the new body components being built up, before the pit marks are filled and the body painted. | |
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Here is the result. Hours of polishing, rubbing and repainting will be done to ensure a good finish.
Below the completed rolling frame is shown, with the firewall installed. The white tires are correct for this era and really look great against the black car. The next stages include completing the body as well as installing the rebuilt engine and transmission.. | ||
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The pictures below show the frame under restoration, before the drive shaft, rear axle and fire wall have been installed.  | |
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The picture below shows the main body attached to the
rolling
frame. Below, all the body panels have been fitted to the chassis, and the car is ready for final disassembly. Each body part will be removed and painted, the turtledeck trunk lid will be restored, and the windshield, lamps, interior and top will be installed. It's starting to look like a car again. |
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| These pictures show the restored engine, mounted in the car and ready to go | ||
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To the left is a close-up of the coil box and coils. Below are some shots of the car with the painted fenders after final installation and the brass treads fitted to the running boards. These pictures were taken right after we drove the car for the first time since restoration began. | |
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As this is a late model 1913 car, built during the second month of Ford's 1914 model year, it has many 1914 features, such as the lateral bead across the front fenders, and the 14 style frame without the rear body brackets.
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