In 1908, Ford introduced the Model T, which would become one of America’s first mass-produced cars. It did not take long for independent manufacturers to modify the Model T into a kind of sports car that rivaled the more expensive Stutz Bearcat and the Mercer Raceabout.
Kits to convert the Model T to a Speedster could be purchased for as little as $100. In the conversion, the stock body would be replaced with the more stylistic Speedster body with its characteristic monocle windshield. The wooden wheels would be replaced with lightweight wire wheels. In general, the conversion would add 10-15 miles per hour to the vehicle’s top speed.
Shown below are some of the Model T Speedsters which are on display in some automobile museums.
1911 Ford Model T Speedster
This vehicle was on display in the Northwest Vintage Car and Motorcycle Museum in Brooks, Oregon.
1912 Ford Model T Speedster
This vehicle was on display in the Northwest Vintage Car and Motorcycle Museum in Brooks, Oregon.
1914 Ford Model T Speedster
This vehicle was on display in the Montana Auto Museum in Deer Lodge, Montana.
1919 Ford Model T Speedster
This vehicle was on display in the Western Antique Aero and Auto Museum in Hood River, Oregon.
1922 Ford Model T Speedster
This vehicle was on display in the Western Antique Aero and Auto Museum in Hood River, Oregon.
1926 Model T Speedster
This vehicle was on display in the Miracle of America Museum in Polson, Montana.
1927 Ford Model T Speedster
This vehicle was on display in the Western Antique Aero and Auto Museum in Hood River, Oregon.
Museums 201
This series presents exhibits from several museums. More from this series:
Museums 201: Specialty Model T Fords (photo diary)
Museums 201: Cars and trucks of a century ago, 1921 (photo diary)
Museums 201: 1958 Automobiles (Photo Diary)
Museums 201: Station Wagons (Photo Diary)
Museums 201: 1941 Automobiles (Photo Diary)
Museums 201: Early Steam and Electric Cars (Photo Diary)
Museums 201: Some Unusual Automobiles (Photo Diary)
Museums 201: German Automobiles (Photo Diary)