What is a wide track?

The southern states had a standard wagon tread of 60 inches instead of the standard 56 inches. So many early cars were wide-tracked to 60 inches to appeal and accommodate southern owners and the roads they traveled on. The axles and fenders were wider because of this.
 
On occasion I got to help/watch a friend restore a '12 T touring. Though it only had about 1400 original miles.

We figured out the car was purchased new by a medical doctor in Somerville, AL. In the mid 20th Century the car was driven in a parade, piloted by a drunk who ran it through a store front, which explained the off-year front axle and miscellaneous parts.

It took a little while to figure out why some things didn't look/fit right. This car was my first official encounter with a wide-track. It went on to be an absolutely BEAUTIFUL car, among the best restorations I've ever seen.
 
I hope they found the correct wide track axle after that drunk drove it thru the store front. A standard 56" wide axle would not fit without some steering parts replaced and it would not look right.
Wide tracks were made from 1909 thru 1916 and possibly a few in 1917 with round wide fenders.
 
While they are generally considered to be for Southern roads, I know of a 1912 wide track that was delivered new to Northern California.
 
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