9th Oct, 2024 13:00

Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire

 
Lot 115
 

1923 Ford Model T Fire Truck
Known history from new

Sold for £14,850

(including buyers premium)


Lot details

Registration No: TC 6851
Chassis No: 7947876
MOT: Exempt

  • Desirable Manchester-built example
  • Converted when new into a Fire Truck and then supplied to the Earl of Derby, resident of Knowsley Hall
  • In service at Knowsley Hall from 1924 until 1948
  • Presents very well and both running and driving well during our recent photography session

Launched in 1908, the T's chassis and mechanical components were made from exceptionally durable, high-grade vanadium steel. The Ford also featured a compact 2890cc, side-valve, four-cylinder engine that pioneered the use of a detachable cylinder head. Mounted in unit with the clutch and two-speed epicyclic gearbox assembly, it developed some 23hp at a leisurely 1,600rpm and 80lbft of torque. Top speed was limited to around 45mph depending upon bodywork, whilst brakes operated on both the transmission and rear wheels. With the introduction of a moving assembly line in 1913, Henry Ford famously turned his Model T into the world's first mass-made car. A year later, Model Ts represented 56% of all automobiles manufactured in the USA. However, it was not just the sheer volume of Model Ts rolling off the production line that motorised America, it was the inherent quality of the design.

Built at Ford’s Trafford Park, Manchester facility, chassis 7947876 was then despatched to the Stanley Fire Engine Company of Halifax. Destined for use on the Earl of Derby’s Knowsley Hall estate in Leicestershire, the Model T was road registered as ‘TC 6851’ on 24th March 1924. Departing the Earl’s service twenty-four years later, the Fire Engine was acquired by a Ford dealer and repurposed as a showroom exhibit. Sold to Power Torque Engineering Ltd of Coventry during 1985, they partially restored the Model T (acquiring various pieces of period fire fighting equipment in the process) before displaying it in their foyer. Further improved since entering the current ownership twelve years ago, the Ford has had attention paid to its clutch, cylinder head (new gasket, bolts), ignition coils, radiator hoses, fan pulley bushes and transmission bands. Running and driving well during our recent photography session, the seller has enjoyed showing ‘TC 6851’ at Steam Rallies in Devon, Somerset and Gloucestershire. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document and history file.

For more information, please contact:
Mike Davis
mike.davis@handh.co.uk
07718 584217

 

Auction: Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire, 9th Oct, 2024

An auction of classic, collector and performance motorcars to be held at the iconic and visually stunning Imperial War Museum, Duxford. Venue Details 

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