The new muffler also required a new exhaust pipe. A gasket was used between the pulley assembly and the fan blade which now served as an oil retainer for the fan shaft bearing. The roller bearings could be used with the earlier spindles and commonly were used as replacements for the ball bearings , but the slightly longer spindle axles made a better fit. Ball bearings continued on the front wheels on those open cars supplied with non-demountable wheels and no starter until 1926 production. Along with this change, the fan itself was greatly improved.
Installing his son, Edsel, as president of the Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford let it be known that he was retiring to pursue some of his other interests, one of which was the manufacture of another car, much better and more modern than the Model T, and which would sell at a lower price. For stopping power, the Model T braking system includes at the front and at the rear. A 177 cubic-inch four-cylinder motor was placed in the front and powered the rear wheels. During 1920 the oval gasoline tank appeared. Initial production of the starter cars had the generator cut-out mounted on the firewall, but by mid-1919 the cut-out was relocated to the standard location on the generator. These 1917 and 1918 Coupes continued the removable side posts, while the 1919 to 1923 Coupes had solid posts, but the general style was the same.
At all times, the vehicle could be had in a wide variety of bodystyles. Ford, however, was interested only in production of the Model T—and history indicates that Henry got his way. An example would be the 1917 cars, which first appeared in August of 1916. The hood clash strip was now a metal stamping instead of wooden as in all the earlier Fords. An oblong hole in the rear casting exhausted the gases directly. The radius rods were all new and now bolted to the front axle below the spring perches.
The old straight-cut timing gears were discontinued; both gears had to be changed if an older engine needed a new gear. The Ford Motor Company changed. In its place was a steel end cap, with the imitation leather now extending to this cap. Now in complete control, Henry Ford merged Henry Ford and Son with the Ford Motor Company; kept Edsel as president; and resumed “command. The engine started by a hand crank located at the front of the vehicle. The new year continued with the 1918 style cars but the engine and running gear underwent major modifications.
A total of just 7,343 “Coupes” were built between August 1916 and August 1917. The pre-1919 Model T's are known as veteran cars while the later models are called vintage cars. Even though the name Model T was used for almost twenty years, it was much improved both visually and mechanically over the years. Changes were made as they were developed. While the wider front made room for a larger pulley, the large pulley did not appear until May of 1920. Chevrolet vehicles had three forward gears while the Model T still used only two.
The body styles of the 1917 cars continued in the pattern of 1915-16, except for the cowl section. ” This body was quickly dropped in favor of a transitional style Coupelet which had a padded top. The connecting rubber hose was the same as that used with the brass radiators. There is conflicting information as to whether square or tapered, or both, were used between 1916 and 1919. This suggests that it had been planned much earlier. The larger pulleys gave a better “grip” on the fan belt.
The hood is of graceful streamline design. The starter cars were also supplied with an electric tail light, using a six volt bulb. During 1920, Ford introduced new light-weight pistons, and a lighter connecting rod, a great improvement in the engine’s performance and durability. The new cars are finished in black with nickel trimmings, and are equipped with non-skid tires on the rear wheels. Late in 1920 he assembled everything he had in parts to make Fords, and shipped them, along with spare parts, to his dealers—C. The Coupelet was superseded by a new Coupe but still called a “Coupelet” in the Ford catalogs which continued the removable posts between the door and rear quarter windows, as in the short-lived 1917 hardtops, but with a metal-covered top section. We have no data on how many of each of these body styles were made.
This philosophy was not shared by the other stockholders, the Dodges in particular. The rear axle assembly underwent some relatively minor modifications during 1919. This rod operated by means of a bell crank on the firewall in the manner used in all starter-type Fords until 1926 models. It is important to remember that the Model T did not truly come in annual models. The brass radiator was replaced with a higher one with a black shell. The right-hand yoke was modified to be adjustable and its position was locked in place by the same nut that secured the drag-link ball.
The standard round fuel tank was located in the rear turtle deck compartment on these models. Of slightly lower compression ratio, it held considerably more water which aided in cooling the engine. Then there was gasoline, which was dirty and hard to start. There were few changes for 1917 including the movement of the steering wheel from the right hand side of the car to the left. Popular options included windshield wipers, anti-theft locks, and light dimmers.