Although he was initially unwilling to admit it, by 1925 Henry Ford had begun to acknowledge what his son Edsel, and those around him had been saying. They knew that the Model T was outmoded, and a replacement was desperately needed. Nowhere was this better demonstrated than with the Model TT truck, which was derived from the Model T car. While the Model TT was a reliable vehicle, it lacked the speed and carrying capacity of its rivals, and it was beginning to be left behind in the race for sales. While it may have begun to fall out of favor as a new vehicle, today the Model TT has gained a strong following, and this particular truck, located in Albion, Illinois, is listed for sale here on eBay.
While initially supplied in chassis form, with the owner having to source their own body, by 1924 Ford was offering a factory fitted body for the Model TT. Ford was still able to supply the vehicle as a chassis only, and that is how this 1925 model was purchased. The body that you see was built and fitted to the truck by Spurling Manufacturing in Grinnell, Iowa. The body itself is in remarkably good condition for its age, and it looks like it could be restored without having to undertake any major fabrication or replacement work. As a point of interest, the cab design for this truck is not completely unique to Spurling Manufacturing, as a company by the name of Martin-Parry offered a very similar design, which only differed in a few minor details.
The interior of the TT looks to be in pretty decent condition. It is here that you can see two distinctly different paint colors. The owner is under the impression that the truck was originally painted green, but the paint in the engine bay is dark blue, although this may have been the color that the Ford-supplied components were finished in. I also get the impression that some of the timber-work in the cab may have been the focus of amateur maintenance or modifications, as there is quite a variation in the fit and finish of some components. Still, it shouldn’t be too hard to identify any modifications with a personal inspection and to then rectify any problems.
Getting to the heart of why the Model TT was falling out of favor with buyers was as easy as opening the hood on the truck. The ever reliable 4-cylinder engine that had powered countless millions of Model Ts was also the engine which powered the Model TT. However, the horsepower race that had begun in the early 1920s was killing the Model TT, as was its lack of speed. In standard form, Ford recommended a maximum top speed of 18mph, while one equipped with an aftermarket 2-speed rear end like the one fitted to this truck was capable of close to 25mph. The owner says that this Model TT starts either via the battery or the crank, whichever you prefer. He also says that it runs, drives, and stops really well. He is also quite willing to give the new owner some driving lessons so that they can gain an understanding of the vehicle.
This Modell TT is a cool vehicle from an era when the term “optional extras” didn’t have anything to do with what type of stereo or paint you wanted for your vehicle, but who was going to manufacture a bespoke body best suited to your needs. The owner has set an opening bid for the truck at $10,000, but at the time of writing there had been no bids submitted. I hope that someone buys it and restores it, because if they do, then they truly will have a completely unique vehicle.
Boy does this bring back memory’s being fifteen years old and the neighbor asking me to bring in forty acres of hay. The pay was ten cents a bale. He said he had a truck and he would show me how to drive it. I got to Buddy’s to help and he showe us this truck. It was a engine and cowl with a wood plank for a seat and no gear shift. I said what is this he said a model T Ford. After he showed me how to drive it we started hauling hay. It had no muffler and would over heat by the end of each trip. It took us four days to clear the field and I still hate Motel Ts.
WOW! 10 cent a bale! Man you were in the tall cotton. We where lucky to get a nickle. ( early – mid 60’s)
I only got a nickle in 1975! Now I cant get anyone to pick them up for $1.00!!!
Love this truck. If you are going to own a Model T, this is the one to have. I may try to buy it myself.
I guess this might haul 20 bushel max ? Every thing changes eventually,thank goodness,todays semis,1000-+,no problem.
JohnBoy Walton would have to work a whole weekend doing chores to get this ride according to Earl Hamner.
Bob
Even after almost a century, the truck is fully intact and very restorable.
I LIKE IT!
One thing most forget or just don’t realize, is that while it is true that the TT was not the equal of a contemporary Mack, Autocar, or White, and was quite a slow (a relative descriptor) vehicle, many of those were buying TT’s as a replacement for teams of horses and wagons for heavy work. The TT was faster than a team of Clydesdales and as such was an upgrade.
My dad and uncles got ahold of an old Model T during the depression. They were on a roll getting it put back together until one of my uncles, who’s job it was to clean the mud dauber nests out of the gas tank, decided to check his work by using a lighted match for some illumination……..
I hope he survived :)
I like it, and the early Vette in the one background shot.
Looks like a “GREAT” personal work truck in it’s day. I can vision a hog in the back while riding though town.
Restorable? Are you kidding? This TT starts, runs, and drives – and it’s survived 93 years intact. Why on earth would you “restore” it? Good lord, people, know when to leave something the hell alone. This is a piece of automotive history, and should stay the way it is.
The main question I have is – what happened to those beans that were found, still in the bed? Did they cook up okay?
Can anybody here drive this? I know I’d have a bit of time. That lever on the floor is the 2 speed axle, otherwise, it’s Model T all the way. The 2 speed axle is not an overdrive, but an underdrive, gearing it down further. 25mph in “drive”, was about it. Never drove one, but I heard they are pretty simple in operation. . Fixed up would be fun, but like this is ok too. This is what antique trucks are suppose to look like. Great find.
Easy to drive, a 1924 Model T was the first car I ever drove!
Speed was NOT the issue for a farm truck in 1925, as there were few if any rural roads where one could haul a load faster than 20 mph. Ford sold 1.9 million Model Ts in 1925, hardly a sales slump but roads were improving quickly in the late 1920s. Affordable trucks is why Ford was outselling everyone until 1927. The V8 in 1929 changed everything.
Ford’s famous flathead V-8 debuted in 1932, not 1929. It was never used in the Model A (1928-1931)
My first car was a “T”. Not a TT, but, a roadster pickup. No, the TT’s were not the match for a Mack, Autocar or similar of the era. cost tons less, I suspect.
The lever could be the two speed Ruxtel, an after market thing. Most were under drives. I scoured the small version for my T. As here, main feature was a super low and a second gear. four speeds now, not two as original.
Decades later, a fellow sold me a former T field trap. He had a few nice T’s. One doctors coupe. Another a TT dump body truck. Hand cranked winch to raise the bed!! Tough, but beat a shovel…
I still have a few “T” parts around as momento’s. head, intake, pan, block and transmission Coil boxes.
And two somewhat battered cowl lights. as seen on this TT. Kero fueled!!! Mine incomplete. Just momento’s
I have a 22 Model TT that could be a twin to this TT
I have owned 4 Ts, all fall under the heading: ‘POS’
With 20 hp, a splash oil system, 2 wheel brakes, gravity powered fuel pump and no steering gear, they were a challenge (fun) to drive.
I, only two that ran. My first, a T roadster pickup. Semi-derelict. lost it’s tires in WWII. It did retain the valuable “T’ gas ration sticker on the w/s. Top also departed. an entry way on the driver’s side where the indentation for a door was. I got it to run, to the mixed admiration and dismay of my parents. Tons of fun in that car as it morphed into a still T powered Rod with the 27 body and a A carb.
No pumps. fuel purely fed by gravity. Mostly OK, except on a very steep hill. solution, back up the hill. More power in reverse and fuel fed fine.
Use all three pedals to brake. Spread the wear. Swap in all at one time.
The latter “T’s had a wider brake band.
There is a “steering” gear. A clever little planetary at the top of the column. Cap knurled for removal to lube…
Comments on the circa 58 version of my T Speedster,another time, mebbe…
Far from a POS. So many unique features. Assembly line. Living wage. Value. Ease of maintenance and repair. a suspension system fit for the poor roads. And priced for the average family… Proof? So many left the plant. Not o mention versions in other countries… Mo match until much later. The VW beetle…
Merry Christmas
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Way before my time, but seems like a fun truck to drive by all the positive comments. I also like the comment that the truck will do 25 mph, but the roads could only handle a auto going 20. Sounds like a proper fit. Today autos are pushing 200 mph, but roads can handle safely only 80 – 90 mph in the open highways.
This is my fathers truck, I am the one that posted the ad. That is him standing in the background of the 5th picture next to the corvette. We sold the truck to a gentleman in Iowa who never followed through on the purchase, and have since then decided to keep it.
Colton,
I know this is far after the fact and it looks as though your family had decided to keep the ‘25 TT. I would be very interested in purchasing the truck if you’ve rethought selling it? I am not a scammer. I live in Cincinnati and would gladly talk to you about it . I appreciate it … Bart Motz