I'm not convinced that the original brakes, no matter how well set up would be able to lock the 16" tyres on a dry road.
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I locked up the mechanical brakes on my model t in heave traffic once. Pulled back the hand brake, stomped on the pedal, and heard the tires screech. Kept me from rear-ending the car in front of me. Mechanical brakes if set up properly are fine. John