Henry and Edsel

[Gene F]

Post #3, and #4: I tell people that are not antique car people (even muscle car guys) that the T was a great car that changed the way we live. However, they are not really usable today for even errands. They are just too primative. The A you can actually drive and use with very few improvements without using the car up every time you take it out of the garage.

T:
47MPH top speed
two wheel brakes at best
not all had speedometers
suspension and steering proved to be very shakey - you have to hold on to the thing all the time.
electric starter and electric headlights didn't come along till late in the run
the ignition coils could be troublesome

Don't get me wrong, the T was a great car. It changed the world. It was the first little car that really worked, and it was affordable.

[8EL]

Originally Posted by Gene F

Post #3, and #4: I tell people that are not antique car people (even muscle car guys) that the T was a great car that changed the way we live. However, they are not really usable today for even errands. They are just too primative. The A you can actually drive and use with very few improvements without using the car up every time you take it out of the garage.

T:
47MPH top speed
two wheel brakes at best
not all had speedometers
suspension and steering proved to be very shakey - you have to hold on to the thing all the time.
electric starter and electric headlights didn't come along till late in the run
the ignition coils could be troublesome

Don't get me wrong, the T was a great car. It changed the world. It was the first little car that really worked, and it was affordable.

Yes I know the difference between the two, had a T with a Ruckstell two speed rear end that gave it 4 speeds. Felt like it was going 90 when you wound her up. The T was a very tough simple and affordable car, that is what made it successful, but Henry hung on to it way too long. The spark it had was actually quite hot I always thought. Had mine start more than once by just turning the key on to battery.

But the A was a much better car all around. Today with hydraulic brakes and winkers (a six volt alternator is nice to have also over the original generator) it is fairly safe to run on secondary roads. The T you have to be anticipating any problem or situation constantly to stay out of trouble it seems.