The Model T, Henry Ford’s affordable automobile invention, seems extra affordable by today’s standards. At the Miller Brothers Automobile Supply House at 1105-7 14th St. NW, the base price for a new car was $750 in 1911. In today’s dollars, that would be a little over $18k.
The Ford Model T Torpedo Runabout was a variant of the Ford Model T, which was an automobile produced by the Ford Motor Company from 1908 to 1927. The Model T Torpedo Runabout was introduced in 1911 and was in production until 1912. This model was designed to be a sportier and more stylish version of the standard Model T.
The Torpedo Runabout had a distinctive body style, featuring a longer, more streamlined design compared to the regular Model T. It also had a lower seating position and a rounded rear deck, which gave it a more aggressive appearance. The Torpedo Runabout was initially offered with a two-passenger capacity, but later versions also included a folding rear seat for additional passengers.
The Ford Model T Torpedo Runabout was equipped with the same 2.9-liter inline-four engine as the standard Model T, which produced around 20 horsepower. This engine was paired with a two-speed planetary transmission, and the car had a top speed of approximately 40-45 miles per hour.
Though the Torpedo Runabout was not as popular as other Model T variants due to its higher price and limited production, it is now considered a valuable collector’s item among classic car enthusiasts.
Although now the prices are 20 times that of the original Ford, I remember when brand new Volkswagen Beetles were sold for $1250 in the early 1950s. At that time, they were considered the Model T of the '50s, in other words an affordable car for everyone and the price reflected it.