22.5 bhp, 176.7 cu. in. L-head inline four engine, two-speed planetary manual transmission, solid front axle and live rear axle with transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs, contracting-band driveshaft brake plus hand-operated internal-expanding rear-wheel brakes. Wheelbase: 2,540 mm

• Most desirable open touring body

• First year of new Model T styling

• Well looked-after older restoration

Although the Ford Model T is often cited as the first example of an automobile manufactured on a production line, it was Ransom Olds’ curved dash model which was actually the first to reach that milestone. Henry Ford’s significant contribution was to introduce an economy of scale the likes of which the manufacturing world had never seen. Introduced in 1908 with a number of different body offerings, a Model T Touring Car was offered at a price of $850; by 1927 when the model was retired, the cost of the same chassis and body combination had been reduced to $380. Ford was a master at cutting costs not only by being shrewd, but he even used recycling of materials to his advantage. Components were packed in very specifically-sized containers; boxes used to ship nails and bolts were reused as battery boxes in the finished automobiles, and crates used to ship larger components were reassembled into seat frames.

This 1923 Ford Model T Torpedo Phaeton was purchased from an Italian prince in Argentina in 1985 by the name of Fabrizio Ruffo of Calabria. After receiving a full restoration, it resided as part of a large private collection near Modena, which included a number of Ferraris. During this ownership the restoration was well maintained, but the body was repainted around 2000. In 2004, the new owner replaced the roof and interior and restored the fuel tank and radiator while completely sorting the car out for use. As it stands today, this Torpedo Phaeton is very nicely presented and, with its freshening in the last decade, is nicely mellowed and ready to serve as a static display piece or be used as a touring car.