Model T Is For TANK
- Thread starter Ryan
- Start date
Jack Innes
Well-known member
This looks like the grandfather of the Ford Universal carrier used in WWII.
They were based on a flathead 8 coupled to a truck transmission & rear end. They also had a steering wheel that warped the tracks a bit for high speed steering, then on further turning of the wheel the brake on that side was applied. There was a later US design that had tiller steering & the rear axle had steering clutches & brakes.
I have had quite a few of these & they are even more fun to drive than you could imagine. Deep mud or snow is not their strong point!! A hot rod driver, turning too fast crossways on a hill, will learn how to put the tracks back on as well as to take it a little easier. There is very little that will engrain itself in your mind greater than the sound of a track coming off anything!!!
WWII Ford Universal Carrier
They were based on a flathead 8 coupled to a truck transmission & rear end. They also had a steering wheel that warped the tracks a bit for high speed steering, then on further turning of the wheel the brake on that side was applied. There was a later US design that had tiller steering & the rear axle had steering clutches & brakes.
I have had quite a few of these & they are even more fun to drive than you could imagine. Deep mud or snow is not their strong point!! A hot rod driver, turning too fast crossways on a hill, will learn how to put the tracks back on as well as to take it a little easier. There is very little that will engrain itself in your mind greater than the sound of a track coming off anything!!!
WWII Ford Universal Carrier
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fordy_nine
Senior Member
Does that front license plate say "ORD DEPT" (Ordinance Dept,) ? Maybe they were pitching its use as a replacement for horses, as in towing a wagon of ammo or a small cannon...Bob L
Model T Monte
Senior Member
Jack, I know a little about putting tracks back on. It never happens where you have a good place to re-install, but a little like putting on a bicycle chain?!?! Monte
T-Time
Junior Member
Yes, it does. In fact, it says:
U.S. ARMY
ORD DEPT
And, there is writing pressed into the plate above that, but I can't make it out.
Rich in Tucson
Senior Member
There is a great documentary that has been on TV several times recently that had a lot of information on the use of Model Ts in France during WWI.
My favorite bit showed dough boys draining hot water directly out of the radiator to make warm beverages, any of you all still do that?
My favorite bit showed dough boys draining hot water directly out of the radiator to make warm beverages, any of you all still do that?
therupperts
Member
In 1921 the Ford Model T was tested with the Chase Track System. Top speed of the vehicle was 25 to 30mph depending on conditions. The Chase Track was made of canvas and cleats.
I searched for Model T with tracks - this looks like the same car as the photo submitted is adjacent to this one.
I searched for Model T with tracks - this looks like the same car as the photo submitted is adjacent to this one.
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therupperts
Member
Dean Borchert
Junior Member
Unless I am blind, the gent 4 from left, hat/coat and all is Black Jack Pershing. The 3rd guy in the black coat looks like a young Henry Ford.
It probably steers like that snowmobile with the two worm-drive tracks did, declutch/braking one side or the other.
It probably steers like that snowmobile with the two worm-drive tracks did, declutch/braking one side or the other.
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Roadster62
Well-known member
Thanks Ryan, every Hot Rodder wants a T track roadster.
Roach In Tacoma
Junior Member
I would say an early command car....Roach.
Thats Pershing allright.
Special Coupe Frank
Well-known member
Agree about Pershing; also Ford, but Henry was not so young... if this photo was taken in the late Teens / early Twenties, "Old" Henry was closing in on 60.
nah, C4 burns hot
garrisonm89@yahoo.com
BANNED
Wow, cooking C-rats over C-4. That really brings back some memories. You think there was ever any truth to the story that someone tried to stomp the fire out and lost his leg? I used to just let mine burn out under my homemade stove cut from a pound cake C-rat can. I loved my C-4. It always gave me something to play with and made me comfortable during the rainy season. Det Chord was fun too. Great article Ryan.
