The Ford Barn

Ryan · 08-13-2010, 09:51 AM

Here's one that popped up on the H.A.M.B. It's a model-T with tracks. The photo didn't come with an explanation at all, but one can gather some assumptions. In the backgrou... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Ford Barn, click here.

hotcoupe · 08-13-2010, 10:42 AM

i think they are all standing around wondering how in the hell do you steer this thing?

Jack Innes · 08-13-2010, 11:11 AM

This looks like the grandfather of the Ford Universal carrier used in WWII.

They were based on a flathead 8 coupled to a truck transmission & rear end. They also had a steering wheel that warped the tracks a bit for high speed steering, then on further turning of the wheel the brake on that side was applied. There was a later US design that had tiller steering & the rear axle had steering clutches & brakes.

I have had quite a few of these & they are even more fun to drive than you could imagine. Deep mud or snow is not their strong point!! A hot rod driver, turning too fast crossways on a hill, will learn how to put the tracks back on as well as to take it a little easier. There is very little that will engrain itself in your mind greater than the sound of a track coming off anything!!!

WWII Ford Universal Carrier

fordy_nine · 08-13-2010, 12:01 PM

Does that front license plate say "ORD DEPT" (Ordinance Dept,) ? Maybe they were pitching its use as a replacement for horses, as in towing a wagon of ammo or a small cannon...Bob L

Model T Monte · 08-13-2010, 12:04 PM

Jack, I know a little about putting tracks back on. It never happens where you have a good place to re-install, but a little like putting on a bicycle chain?!?! Monte

T-Time · 08-13-2010, 12:09 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by fordy_nine

Does that front license plate say "ORD DEPT" (Ordinance Dept,) ?

Yes, it does. In fact, it says:

U.S. ARMY
ORD DEPT

And, there is writing pressed into the plate above that, but I can't make it out.

Rich in Tucson · 08-13-2010, 12:51 PM

There is a great documentary that has been on TV several times recently that had a lot of information on the use of Model Ts in France during WWI.

My favorite bit showed dough boys draining hot water directly out of the radiator to make warm beverages, any of you all still do that?

therupperts · 08-13-2010, 12:57 PM

In 1921 the Ford Model T was tested with the Chase Track System. Top speed of the vehicle was 25 to 30mph depending on conditions. The Chase Track was made of canvas and cleats.

I searched for Model T with tracks - this looks like the same car as the photo submitted is adjacent to this one.

therupperts · 08-13-2010, 01:20 PM

found under g__gle images (Model T with tracks) then click on web link.
Enjoy!

Capn John · 08-13-2010, 04:09 PM

The bridge in the background is the Francis Scott Key bridge linking Georgetown, DC and Roslyn, Arlington, VA. Built between 1917 and 1923.

Dean Borchert · 08-13-2010, 04:58 PM

Unless I am blind, the gent 4 from left, hat/coat and all is Black Jack Pershing. The 3rd guy in the black coat looks like a young Henry Ford.

It probably steers like that snowmobile with the two worm-drive tracks did, declutch/braking one side or the other.

Roadster62 · 08-13-2010, 08:59 PM

Thanks Ryan, every Hot Rodder wants a T track roadster.

Roach In Tacoma · 08-17-2010, 11:22 PM

I would say an early command car....Roach.

Tman · 08-21-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Borchert

Unless I am blind, the gent 4 from left, hat/coat and all is Black Jack Pershing. The 3rd guy in the black coat looks like a young Henry Ford.

It probably steers like that snowmobile with the two worm-drive tracks did, declutch/braking one side or the other.

Thats Pershing allright.

Special Coupe Frank · 08-23-2010, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Borchert

Unless I am blind, the gent 4 from left, hat/coat and all is Black Jack Pershing. The 3rd guy in the black coat looks like a young Henry Ford...

Agree about Pershing; also Ford, but Henry was not so young... if this photo was taken in the late Teens / early Twenties, "Old" Henry was closing in on 60.

Capn John · 08-24-2010, 02:48 AM

And Pershing was born in 1860, making him 60ish.

treb11 · 09-02-2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich in Tucson

My favorite bit showed dough boys draining hot water directly out of the radiator to make warm beverages, any of you all still do that?

nah, C4 burns hot

[email protected] · 09-02-2010, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treb11

nah, C4 burns hot

Wow, cooking C-rats over C-4. That really brings back some memories. You think there was ever any truth to the story that someone tried to stomp the fire out and lost his leg? I used to just let mine burn out under my homemade stove cut from a pound cake C-rat can. I loved my C-4. It always gave me something to play with and made me comfortable during the rainy season. Det Chord was fun too. Great article Ryan.

22dodge · 09-04-2010, 06:49 PM

Here is another photo of the Ford T based version, and a very
similar Dodge (I believe) version.

08-13-2010, 09:51 AM	#1
Ryan Administrator Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 670	Model T Is For TANK Here's one that popped up on the H.A.M.B. It's a model-T with tracks. The photo didn't come with an explanation at all, but one can gather some assumptions. In the backgrou... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Ford Barn, click here.

08-13-2010, 10:42 AM	#2
hotcoupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: imperial,mo Posts: 694	Re: Model T Is For TANK i think they are all standing around wondering how in the hell do you steer this thing?

08-13-2010, 12:01 PM	#4
fordy_nine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Springboro. Ohio Posts: 212	Re: Model T Is For TANK Does that front license plate say "ORD DEPT" (Ordinance Dept,) ? Maybe they were pitching its use as a replacement for horses, as in towing a wagon of ammo or a small cannon...Bob L

08-13-2010, 12:04 PM	#5
Model T Monte Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Vici,Okla. Posts: 256	Re: Model T Is For TANK Jack, I know a little about putting tracks back on. It never happens where you have a good place to re-install, but a little like putting on a bicycle chain?!?! Monte

08-13-2010, 12:51 PM	#7
Rich in Tucson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 374	Re: Model T Is For TANK There is a great documentary that has been on TV several times recently that had a lot of information on the use of Model Ts in France during WWI. My favorite bit showed dough boys draining hot water directly out of the radiator to make warm beverages, any of you all still do that?

08-13-2010, 04:09 PM	#10
Capn John Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: BIRTHPLACE OF SPEED, FLORIDA Posts: 531	Re: Model T Is For TANK The bridge in the background is the Francis Scott Key bridge linking Georgetown, DC and Roslyn, Arlington, VA. Built between 1917 and 1923.

08-13-2010, 04:58 PM	#11
Dean Borchert Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central Arizona Posts: 7	Re: Model T Is For TANK Unless I am blind, the gent 4 from left, hat/coat and all is Black Jack Pershing. The 3rd guy in the black coat looks like a young Henry Ford. It probably steers like that snowmobile with the two worm-drive tracks did, declutch/braking one side or the other. Last edited by Dean Borchert; 08-13-2010 at 05:01 PM. Reason: spelling

08-13-2010, 08:59 PM	#12
Roadster62 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ridgefield, Ct Posts: 3,441	Re: Model T Is For TANK Thanks Ryan, every Hot Rodder wants a T track roadster.

08-17-2010, 11:22 PM	#13
Roach In Tacoma Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Orting WA Posts: 17	Re: Model T Is For TANK I would say an early command car....Roach. __________________ The Road To Sucsess Is Coverd By The Backs Of Many........ I Chose The Hard Way!!!

08-24-2010, 02:48 AM	#16
Capn John Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: BIRTHPLACE OF SPEED, FLORIDA Posts: 531	Re: Model T Is For TANK And Pershing was born in 1860, making him 60ish.