It should run about 35 on level, smooth ground, if it's in good shape. That's what I hear anyway. I could get to the highway (which was gravel and fairly smooth) in about twenty minutes from our house, and I don't know how fast it went but it was pretty quick it seemed. All the other roads were just rutted out from wagons so bad that you couldn't run more than about 10 or 15 at best. Also the wood spokes would dry out and get loose. You soak them in water to restore the fit for a while.
If your model T only goes 25mph you must be out of tune or something. My Grandfathers 1924 Model T touring back in the day would do 35mph with the entire family and luggage on board on a trip to the family summer house near Lake Geneva Wisc. That was back in 1930. My father told me the car was all over the road at that speed. In good condition and tune a model T can hit 40-45 mph.
to answer rickys question, T's aren't as comfortable as a modern car, the seats are simple and get the job done.
the ride is not as smooth, shocks were an after market add on early on , becoming factory options later on.
how fast it goes depends on your driving ability and how well it was restored and maintained. most T's are restored to look good, very few are restored to perform well.
T's were virtually unchanged throughout their production run as far as mechanicals go, the only major change was around 14 with a lower compression head due to lower quality of gas during WW1. so speed was quite consistent thoughout production. there are some T's that I wouldn't push past 30, but that would have to be because of the quality of the restoration and not the design of the T.
Speed does depend wildly on year, and road conditions. Even so, even the worst modern cars generally have better road holding, a smoother ride, and higher top speed. Comfort isn't so consistent, as many extremely high performance modern cars can be abusive to the driver and passengers, physically, psychologically and aurally.
Though the "if you go over 35 you'll suffocate" thing probably had a psychological impact for the T, at first, unlikely a speed as that was on most of the period roads.
my mother used to drive my dad's 26 touring on the highway at 55. most people in the T club we belong to consider 45 to be max.. growing up my dad drove the 26 and my mom had a 29 A town sedan as daily drivers, year round, and that was in NH. my dad did all the work on them so they were actually quite economical.
A modern car, or even one only a few years newer than a T, is going to be much smoother and comfortable,. Modern cars can generally outpace a model T in first gear (the t only has two) seeing as 30 was a speed you hit in a T as a matter of luck, or favorable wind conditions.
Very nice running T! My 1916 runs about the same only no starter!
Modeltnick 7 months ago
fords last forever!!
xmodrock 8 months ago
It should run about 35 on level, smooth ground, if it's in good shape. That's what I hear anyway. I could get to the highway (which was gravel and fairly smooth) in about twenty minutes from our house, and I don't know how fast it went but it was pretty quick it seemed. All the other roads were just rutted out from wagons so bad that you couldn't run more than about 10 or 15 at best. Also the wood spokes would dry out and get loose. You soak them in water to restore the fit for a while.
Smashinz2002 1 year ago
If your model T only goes 25mph you must be out of tune or something. My Grandfathers 1924 Model T touring back in the day would do 35mph with the entire family and luggage on board on a trip to the family summer house near Lake Geneva Wisc. That was back in 1930. My father told me the car was all over the road at that speed. In good condition and tune a model T can hit 40-45 mph.
jkt8012 1 year ago
@motorcyclehooligan69 This is either a tudor or a fordor. There were no center door sedans made in 1925.
Thanks
edisonphonographs 1 year ago
to answer rickys question, T's aren't as comfortable as a modern car, the seats are simple and get the job done.
the ride is not as smooth, shocks were an after market add on early on , becoming factory options later on.
how fast it goes depends on your driving ability and how well it was restored and maintained. most T's are restored to look good, very few are restored to perform well.
flatfender1947 2 years ago
T's were virtually unchanged throughout their production run as far as mechanicals go, the only major change was around 14 with a lower compression head due to lower quality of gas during WW1. so speed was quite consistent thoughout production. there are some T's that I wouldn't push past 30, but that would have to be because of the quality of the restoration and not the design of the T.
flatfender1947 2 years ago
Speed does depend wildly on year, and road conditions. Even so, even the worst modern cars generally have better road holding, a smoother ride, and higher top speed. Comfort isn't so consistent, as many extremely high performance modern cars can be abusive to the driver and passengers, physically, psychologically and aurally.
Though the "if you go over 35 you'll suffocate" thing probably had a psychological impact for the T, at first, unlikely a speed as that was on most of the period roads.
Piro42 2 years ago
my mother used to drive my dad's 26 touring on the highway at 55. most people in the T club we belong to consider 45 to be max.. growing up my dad drove the 26 and my mom had a 29 A town sedan as daily drivers, year round, and that was in NH. my dad did all the work on them so they were actually quite economical.
flatfender1947 2 years ago
A modern car, or even one only a few years newer than a T, is going to be much smoother and comfortable,. Modern cars can generally outpace a model T in first gear (the t only has two) seeing as 30 was a speed you hit in a T as a matter of luck, or favorable wind conditions.
Piro42 2 years ago