1923 Ford Model T Touring, 3-door
Owner: Bernie and Janice Taulborg Collection
Original cost: $295.00 ($4,303.00 in 2018 dollars)
Number made: 136,441 (Jan., 1923 – Dec., 1923)
Engine, etc.: 4 cyl. vertical L-head; 22.5 hp; 2-speed; 1,500 lbs; 100” wheelbase
Henry Ford claimed this car was large enough for a family and small enough to be maintained by an individual. The car that put America on wheels came in several models including this 3-door touring car.
The 1923 models appeared in the fall of 1922. The windshield on the best-selling touring and runabout models was given a smartly sloping angle. The open touring car and runabout models accounted for over two-thirds of the company’s passenger-car sales.
An electric starter was an option on the open cars. Dismountable rims were an additional $20.00. Ford customers were beginning to demand more than just basic transportation.
There was a standard “instrument panel” though the instrumentation consisted of only an ammeter and that came only on cars equipped with the optional electric starter.
The three floor pedals were used to change gears (left pedal), go into reverse (center pedal), and brake the car (right pedal). The left pedal was used in conjunction with the parking brake lever to change gears.
A new one-man top was fitted and, though it gave some improvement in appearance, it took almost as much effort to fold as did the old top.
Sheet metal firewalls began to replace wooden ones early in the model year.
At the end of 1922 Ford introduced a four-door sedan, dubbed the “Fordor”. It was not well publicized and dealers were instructed to push the existing center-door sedan which required the driver and front passenger to squeeze through between the two individual front seats to be seated. It may be assumed that the ever-frugal Henry Ford was intent upon using remaining stocks of the older body styles.
The center-door model design which dated from 1915 was finally phased out, being replaced by a coupe and two-door sedan.
The Fordor also used a rectangular rear window and crank-activated roll-up windows to further distinguish itself from the center-door model.
In June 1923 a larger hood and taller radiator with a stylish valance beneath it was introduced. The features gave the Ford a smoother, more impressive appearance.
Sources: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805 -1942. Beverly Rae Kimes, et al. 3rd ed. Krause Publications, 1996.
http://www.classiccardatabase.com/specs.php?series=2015&year=1923&model=8071
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/29/6815.html (Model T Forum; explains how to shift gears and drive a Model T)
See also: http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1923_Ford/1923_Ford_Folder/dirindex.html (Original 1923 brochure)
