Lot Ended
Description
1920 Ford Model T
No Reserve
From the
The Automobile Magazine 'Oily Rag' Reserve Collection; exceedingly rare English
coachwork by Ball of Birmingham; fabulous original interior
The Ford Model T (colloquially known as the ‘Tin Lizzie’
or the ‘Flivver’) was launched by Henry Ford's Ford Motor Company in 1908 and is
generally regarded as the first affordable automobile, the car which "put
America on wheels".
By 1914, the assembly process for the Model T had been so
streamlined it took only 93 minutes to assemble a car. That year Ford produced
more cars than all other car makers combined.
Costing just $850 at launch (when competing cars often
cost $2,000-$3,000), the Model T was a huge commercial success, and by the time
Henry made his 10 millionth car, 9 out of 10 of all cars in the world were
Fords. In fact, it was so successful that Ford did not purchase any advertising
between 1917 and 1923 – the T just sold itself.
In total, more than 15 million Model Ts were manufactured
before production ended in 1927, more than any other model of car for almost a
century. Powered by a 20hp monobloc 4-cylinder engine, it was capable of 45mph
and returned 25-30mpg in tourer form, the basic engine and chassis layout being
used for a wide range of bodystyles including saloons and a variety of
commercial vans and trucks.
As the dash plaques confirm, this Model T was supplied new
via TM Dutton A.M.I.E.E. Engineer of Chester with coachwork by Ball & Co of
Birmingham. The buff logbook shows that it was originally owned by a William
Fryer of Cheshire who appears to have kept it until 1956 when ownership
transferred to a Peter Rockliff of Liverpool. He kept it until 1978 when it was
acquired by Inskip Motor Engineers of Preston.
A copy of an old V5C shows that it then had two further
Lancashire owners in the late 2000s, being subsequently acquired by Neil Tuckett
of Model T specialists Tuckett Brothers in 2014. They recommissioned the car and
advertised it for sale, stating the following: "A true barn find just out of
long-term storage. This car has recently been recommissioned by ourselves. Runs
and drives beautifully. Exceptional original upholstery. A rare opportunity to
own an exceptional English oily rag car". It was acquired from Tucketts to join
the Oily Rag Collection in 2015.
As you can see in the photos, the car remains in
wonderfully original condition throughout and has a truly gorgeous corduroy
interior which was reputedly specially made for the car to please the wife of
the first owner. A unique and jaw-dropping Model T, it comes with a handy
booklet giving instructions on how to drive it and is sure to open many doors on
the show circuit for the fortunate new owner.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or
email james.dennison@brightwells.com
* All charges are subject to VAT