Ford Model T Torpedo to receive the 2022 Antique Automobile Club of America Zenith award - the interior and the top made by Mike Francis of Classtique Upholstery

   

Ford Award - 1903 - 1927
1911 Ford Torpedo
Mark Eyer, Battle Creek, Michigan

The body of the Model T for 1911 was restyled, along with a new radiator, fenders, and wheels. Steel panels over a wood framework was featured, as opposed to earlier all-wood construction. Ford couldn't build cars fast enough in 1911. It was a year during which cars were being built at the old Paquette Avenue plant, as well as the new-and-yet-unfinished Highland Park facility. Two new body styles were offered, the torpedo (with doors) and the open runabout (no doors). They were probably the raciest Model T Fords ever produced. The seats were moved rearward and lowered by moving gasoline tank to the rear deck. The hood was made longer by about two inches, and the bottom section of the windshield sloped back, all of which gave the car a longer and lower appearance.

Adding to the style were a lower body, longer and curved front and rear fenders, the shorter running boards, and the lower and longer steering column. Mechanical changes were also made for 1911, most prominent being a mid-year change to the engine. Replacing the earlier exposed valves were new valve chmbers cast into the block with steel doors, to enable adjustments when needed. The runabouts were known to have the best performance and greatest speed of all Model T Fords ever produced. Philip found his Torpedo roadster 30 years ago in Dayton, Ohio, and did almost all of his own restoration work.