20 bhp, 176.7 cu. in. four-cylinder inline L-head engine, two-speed planetary transmission, solid front axle and live rear axle with transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs, transmission brake and two-wheel mechanical drum brakes. Wheelbase: 100"

- Desirable Torpedo with early open-valve engine

- Original car with cosmetic updates

- Only two owners in six decades

- Excellent performance in Model T era

For 1911, Ford restyled the Model T, with a new radiator, fenders, and wheels. Bodies now used steel panels over a wood framework, as opposed to earlier all-wood construction. Cars were previously offered in red, gray or green, whereas for 1911, dark blue was selected as a standard color. Some body styles, like the coupe, were phased out, but two new ones were offered: the Torpedo Runabout and the Open Runabout. These two differed from the others in having curved fenders, a longer hood, lower seating, and a round 16-gallon fuel tank on the rear deck. The Torpedo Runabout had doors, while the Open Runabout did not. The late Les Henry, a renowned Model T historian, wrote that these Runabouts “had undoubtedly the best performance and greatest speed of all Model T Fords ever produced.”

There were mechanical changes as well. A new rear axle with cast iron center housing was introduced, and the front axle received new spindles. Most prominent was a mid-year change to the engine. Replacing the earlier exposed valves were new valve chambers cast into the block, with steel doors to enable adjustments when needed.

This Model T Runabout is the more desirable Torpedo, with doors. It has had only two owners in the last 60 years. Purchased ten years ago by the current owner, it has been repainted in bright red with gold pinstriping, and the top and upholstery seem to have been replaced. Otherwise, the car is highly original and unmolested. It appears never to have been completely disassembled, a rare baseline for originality.

Dating from April 1911, this car’s engine is one of the last “open valve” models. With its Torpedo body style, open valve engine, and highly original condition, this car ranks with the most coveted of Model T Fords extant.