Ford - Henry Ford early car models
Henry Ford built quite a number of Ford models before he came up with the well known Model T, starting with his twin cylinder Ford Model A in 1903. Ford had first started the Detroit Automobile Company, which folded, and later was the chief engineer with the "Henry Ford Company" that had been incorporated in late 1901, also in Detriot, in which he was a minor shareholder. The idea behind this company was to build a car that could be sold to customers for under $1,000. But very shortly afterwards, by early 1902, Ford fell out with the major shareholder of the Henry Ford Company, which resulted in a parting of ways that included an agreement that allowed Henry Ford to use the Ford name, along with a $900 settlement. For interest, the outfit he left became Cadillac, with new chief engineer Henry Leland replacing the engine. So that would be the reason why the Cadillac Model A and Ford Model A both introduced at a similar time have numerous design features and philosophies in common.
Late in 1904 Ford made a more powerful 4 cylinder Model B, along with upgrading the existing Model A which which became the Model C, that now had a slightly longer wheelbase and also marketed for Commercial vehicle use, while the final versions of the earlier design Model A were fitted with with the 4 cylinder B engine and larger radiator that was the Ford Model AC. The Ford Model F that followed was an improved version of the Model C with a larger engine bore size.
The Ford Model N, marketed also as the 15/18hp, built from 1906, was Fords first attempt at building a genuinely affordable car for the masses, yet having high quality parts, totally reliable and practical. It came with side and tail light in it's original $500 price tag, but everything else was optional! Production of the Model N continued to 1908
The Ford Model R, also slightly confusingly also referred to also as the 15/18hp, was a more refined version of the Model N with the addition of running boards and improved wings (fenders) and having a slightly larger body, but still a 2 seater.
Fords Model S was a Runabout 2 seater which was a was a mix of the models N and R, sold at a price that was $50 less than the R. It has been suggested that the entire production of the Model R got sold out far sooner than expected, so something had to be put in production quickly to supply the demand, resulting in this Ford Model S.
Below we list some of these pioneer Ford models, and the tyre sizes they were originally fitted with:
- Ford Model A (built from 1903) - tyre size 28x3.
- Ford Model B - tyre size 30x3 1/2.
- Ford Model C - tyre size 28x3.
- Ford Model F - tyre size 30 x 3 1/2.
- Ford Model N tyre size, listed were two sizes - The Model N started life with 28x2 1/2 tyre size, whereas the Model N Runabaout was fitted with 28x3 all round. By 1907 the Model N was updated with the same 28x3 tyre size as the Runabout.
- Ford Model R was fitted with 30x3 tyre size.
- Ford Model S was fitted with 30x3 tyre size all around.
- Ford Model T introduced 1908 - we cover the tyre sizes used on the Model T separately on the Blockley website in detail under it's own heading, but suffice to say the Model T started life using the 30x3 tyres at the front, with 30x3 1/2 tyre size to the rear axle. For 1918 the smaller section 30x3 tyre was dropped for 30x3 1/2 tyre size all round, and later models were fitted with 440/450x21.
Blockley produce all the Clincher tyre sizes (and inner tubes) for these early Fords, as part of the huge range of high quality Clincher and other tyres we produce. All our tyres are to the correct period dimensions, with period correct tread patterns, while our diameters are often much larger (as they should be) compared to other brands available from the likes of Coker, Lucas etc who make their tyres too small, with a quality now that has led to many asking uBlockley to make these tyre sizes! We also produce high quality decent inner tubes to suit our tyres. See full details of all these early Ford sizes mentioned at the links below:
