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1915 Ford Model T Touring

The 1915 Ford Model T represents a monumental shift in automotive history, marking the true stabilization of the moving assembly line process developed by Henry Ford. By 1915, production had ramped up significantly, with over 300,000 units rolling off the line that year alone. This era cemented the Model T's legacy as the car that put the world on wheels. While not inherently rare in its day, surviving 1915 models with their original brass-era features intact are highly prized by collectors today, representing the vital bridge between early, expensive horseless carriages and the mass-produced modern automobiles that transformed global transportation.

The 1915 model year introduced several key design changes, most notably the transition from flat wooden dash panels to a curved metal cowl that swept smoothly into the hood, giving the car a more integrated, streamlined appearance. This was the final year for the prominent use of brass trim, featuring a gleaming brass radiator shell, brass-trimmed side lamps, and brass hubcaps, before Ford transitioned to painted steel to cut costs. The 1915 Touring also introduced electric headlamps powered by the magneto, replacing the older acetylene gas lamps, though kerosene oil side and tail lamps were retained for reliability.

The Touring body style was constructed using a sturdy wooden framework over which sheet steel panels were pinned and shaped, a standard manufacturing method of the early 20th century. Built primarily at the Highland Park plant in Michigan, the Touring car offered seating for five passengers across two bench seats upholstered in durable, diamond-tufted black leatherette. The body featured a folding canvas soft top with celluloid rear windows. Notably, the driver's side front door was a 'dummy' panel stamped into the bodywork to maintain structural rigidity, requiring the driver to enter from the passenger side.

Mechanically, the 1915 Model T was powered by a robust 177 cubic inch (2.9-liter) side-valve inline four-cylinder engine, producing 20 horsepower and approximately 83 lb-ft of torque. This reliable powerplant was mated to a unique two-speed planetary gear transmission operated by foot pedals rather than a conventional hand shifter. Braking was handled entirely by a contracting band inside the transmission, with a hand-operated parking brake acting on the rear wheels. The suspension utilized transverse semi-elliptical leaf springs front and rear, providing remarkable flexibility on rutted dirt roads. Priced at a highly accessible $440, it drastically undercut competitors, making car ownership a reality for the average American family.

1928 Ford Model A Roadster

Replacing the legendary Model T after an 18-year production run was a monumental task for the Ford Motor Company. Introduced in December 1927, the 1928 Model A was a massive success, with over 4.3 million units produced across all body styles by the end of its run in 1931. While not exceedingly rare in total numbers, surviving original Roadsters from the initial 1928 production year are highly prized by collectors today. They represent a pivotal moment in automotive history—the dawn of accessible style and modern drivability for the American public during the Roaring Twenties.

The Model A represented a quantum leap in styling over the utilitarian Model T, heavily influenced by Edsel Ford, who drew inspiration from the luxurious Lincoln vehicles of the era. The 1928 Roadster featured a handsome nickel-plated radiator shell, flowing crowned fenders, and a classic folding canvas top. Abandoning the 'any color so long as it is black' philosophy of its predecessor, the Model A was offered in striking two-tone color schemes like Niagara Blue with contrasting black fenders. The early 1928 models are specifically distinguished by their fluted headlamp lenses, a distinctive red steering wheel, and a simpler bumper design compared to later years.

The Roadster's body was constructed of steel panels over a wooden structural frame, a common coachbuilding practice of the era, manufactured primarily at Ford's massive River Rouge complex in Michigan. The Roadster body style was an open two-door configuration that comfortably sat two passengers in the main cabin. It featured the highly popular 'rumble seat' integrated into the rear decklid, capable of accommodating two additional passengers in the open air. The canvas soft top could be easily folded down, and weather protection was provided by snap-on isinglass side curtains rather than roll-up glass windows.

Powering the Model A was a robust 201 cubic inch (3.3-liter) L-head inline four-cylinder engine producing 40 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque, effectively doubling the output of the outgoing Model T. This powerplant was mated to a conventional 3-speed sliding-gear manual transmission, a significant and much-welcomed upgrade from the complex planetary transmission of the past. The car featured four-wheel mechanical drum brakes and transverse leaf spring suspension front and rear. With a base original MSRP of around $385 for the Roadster, it offered incredible value, bringing reliable 65-mph performance to the working-class American family.