1909 Model T Ford Touring
On Friday July 28, 2000 Don Lang purchased a 1909 Model T touring car. The car was purchased from the estate of George Antinarella. George had bought the car in 1948 and driven it extensively in the early 1950's. The car has a five Glidden tour plaques on the dash for the years 1951 through 1955.
The engine number on the block is 7299, making this an early July 1909
car. The engine has all the characteristics of a '09 including the open
valve engine, low head with Ford script but no Made in U.S.A, one piece
pan and the square hole transmission cover.
The car's body is made entirely of wood. It is currently painted a dark red and in very good condition.
One of the interesting things about this body is the number under the
front seat: F67. At this point we are uncertain which body maker made this
body.
One of the strong points of this car is its upholstery - the original
upholstery survives in excellent condition.
The top bows, irons and even the top material itself appears to be original
as well.
The dash appears to be an old reproduction. Currently the coil box is
a Heinze, but the speedometer is correct, as is the entire steering column
assembly.
The headlights on the car are Brown 15, and the sidelights are standard
E&J Pat. 1908. The gas generator came with the car (along with a Prestolite
tank) and it too is a Brown. The radiator is a later one, probably 1913-14.
Along with the car came a tool box. Inside the tool box were some small
parts George had carried around with the car on tour. Among the items was
the Soot-Proof spark plug. This is one of the types of spark plug that
were issued as standard equipment when the 1909 Model T left the Piquette
Factory. This is only the fifth one of these plugs I have ever seen - the
other four are in Henry Ford's 1907 experimental tractor that is currently
on the floor of the Museum in Dearborn.