1917 Ford
Model T Touring
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1917 Ford Model T Touring – Icon of the Brass Era
The 1917 Ford Model T Touring is an iconic example of early 20th-century automotive history. It was part of the legendary Model T line, which is widely considered the car that “put America on wheels.”
1917 Model T Touring Features
- Engine: 2.9L (177 cu in) inline-4, 4-stroke
- Horsepower: ~20 hp @ 1600 rpm
- Transmission: 2-speed planetary gear (plus reverse), controlled by foot pedals
- Drive: Rear-wheel drive
- Top Speed: Around 40-45 mph (64-72 km/h)
- Fuel System: Gravity-fed carburetor
- Ignition: Magneto-powered coil system (no battery needed)
- Brakes: Transmission brake plus emergency brake on rear wheels
- Suspension: Transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs
- Weight: ~1,200–1,500 lbs
Touring Body Style
- Open-top body with no side windows (but with a folding top)
- Typically had 3 rows of seating, fitting 5 passengers
- Built on a common chassis used across all Model Ts
- Brass trim was largely phased out by 1917 (post-1915), so most had black steel/rubber fittings
- Starting in 1915, electric headlights became standard; earlier cars used acetylene
Notable Features:
- Simple and durable—designed for rough rural roads
- Easily serviceable and modifiable (leading to a huge aftermarket scene even back then)
- Hand crank starting (electric starters didn’t appear until 1919 in Model Ts)
- Windshield included, but side curtains had to be installed manually in bad weather
