Model T Related

I wondered about that too....what could have made it more dangerous than its contemporary competitors such as Dodge Brothers or Chevrolet?
 
Model T's are very interesting, but I had not heard that they are unsafe. If you think back to that day when they were used maybe they were safer than the horse carriages that filled the dirt streets. Funny, the article you referenced talks about Mr. Ford not putting breaks on the front wheel to save a few bucks. I own a 1933 standard fordor and recently realized that the windows in my car are NOT safety, Laminated, glass. That was extra!
 
Cars like Dodge and Chevy had sliding gear ******'s, whereas the Model T had a planetary transmission. The Ford had a transmission brake, the others had brakes on the wheels. The brake on the rear wheels was only an emergency brake. The system worked well for the times, but the problem was if anything between the engine and wheel failed, there would be no brakes, i.e. pinion, u-joint, axle key. This is why rocky mountain brakes are a must. One must remember the technology of the day. At that time no car had front brakes! It was thought that front brakes would cause the passengers to be catapulted from the seats. When driving any antique car, one must consider the capabilities of the machine and drive accordingly.
 
Front brakes were thought to be dangerous by virtue of them skidding and being unable to steer.
Over 15 million model T fords were built and sold, and they were a great car for the time. Today.... not so much.
 
2manycars said:
Over 15 million model T fords were built and sold, and they were a great car for the time. Today.... not so much.
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I agree that they were as good as any car on the road when they first came out. After the assembly line, they started to decline in fit and finish due to the speed at which they had to be built. I own 2 Model T's and have driven on many national tours. The problem today is not the Model T's, but others on the road that do not have any idea of the older cars limitations.
 
29spcoupe said:
I agree that they were as good as any car on the road when they first came out. After the assembly line, they started to decline in fit and finish due to the speed at which they had to be built. I own 2 Model T's and have driven on many national tours. The problem today is not the Model T's, but others on the road that do not have any idea of the older cars limitations.
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That is why I sold my model T. Even on back roads I would get scared when cars came zooming up behind. On the other hand, my friend Herb drove his over 110,000 miles before he died at 91. The car is still on the road with a new owner.
 

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2manycars said:
Front brakes were thought to be dangerous by virtue of them skidding and being unable to steer.
Over 15 million model T fords were built and sold, and they were a great car for the time. Today.... not so much.
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That is a good point about the front brakes, they could lock up and these top heavy cars could flip over!

The Things Ya Gotta Know!
 
Why would you believe anything written on a click bait website?
"Worlds fastest cars, click here 34 time to learn the top 10"
Websites made purely to sell advertising space to other clickbait websites.
 
I drive in city traffic all the time! :) I have too, I live in the big city of Portland Oregon so if I want to drive my T that's what I put up with.
 
I have a Model A and a Model T. The Model A is similar to modern conventionally shifting cars and is just as easy to drive but it is not as safe at the higher speeds. The Model T is very much different. It is primitive and went 20 years without much change mechanically. The wooden spoke wheels are known to collapse when taking a corner at speed if they are not well maintained. The transmission requires a "pedal dance" to drive it and if you are inexperienced and your mind is not on the job when you come to the end of the driveway, terror will strike!

I think the most dangerous time is when you are on a two lane highway with a lot of traffic. You have to drive with your windshield AND your rear view mirror and have GOOD tail lights. Move over to let traffic pass frequently.

A few years ago at the national tour in the Black Hills, South Dakota I saw an older fellow in an open-top Model T enter the two-lane highway at the top of a long hill without looking for traffic. Traffic backed way up behind him real quick, trucks included, as he went downhill at about 25mph for a couple of miles. Not once did he pull off to the side and let the others pass.

If you drive a Model T or Model A you should drive like they used to back in the old days but really, really watch what is happening around you. Your life could depend on it.
 

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I have both a 1913T and a 1930 Model A (plus a 1934 V8) . The T is certainly a dangerous car in modern driving conditions. They do tend to break rear axles and if you don't have accessory outboard brakes then you have lost all transmission braking. Forget the parking brake it won't stop you. Look for something soft to hit to slow down.! Even when the brakes are working they are not that good and the moment drivers turning out form a side street see you they try and turn in front of you so not to be held up . Has caused me some scary moments !-Still love driving my T just very defensive when I am -Karl
 
I can't think of anyone else who carried a 1908 design for 20 years. They served a purpose. If not for the T, where would the average family have been?
 
Bruce said:
I can't think of anyone else who carried a 1908 design for 20 years. They served a purpose. If not for the T, where would the average family have been?
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And dang, they are fun! And when you drive a Model A past people on the street they all turn and look, but when you drive a Model T past they all turn and look with their mouth open!
 
Cool Hand Lurker said:
I think the most dangerous time is when you are on a two lane highway with a lot of traffic. You have to drive with your windshield AND your rear view mirror and have GOOD tail lights. Move over to let traffic pass frequently.


If you drive a Model T or Model A you should drive like they used to back in the old days but really, really watch what is happening around you. Your life could depend on it.
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This poor guy found out about this the hard way

http://www.portagedailygraphic.com/2015/07/27/man-sent-to-hospital-after-threshermens-reunion
 
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