Ford T SUV
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Ford T: Surprising off-road qualities

FORD MODEL T PHOTOGRAPHS: REFERENCED FORD / SOURCE

When you think of cars older than a century, many associate them with poor efficiency. However, that should be reviewed. Obviously there are issues such as power, dynamic behavior or safety in which time has made a huge difference. However, the truth is that the roads of those years were not those of now, so models like the Ford T were designed to overcome ditches and mudflats.

And be careful, because this brings out the colors of more than an imposing current SUV. In fact, let's go to two specific indicators. The first for any classic off-roader would be the "attack angle". A fact that opens the mouth for two others: the ventral and the exit. With them we know the ability of a vehicle to navigate rough terrain, measuring in geometric degrees the type of ramps that a vehicle can face without the underside hitting the ground. A subject in which the Ford T passes with good marks.

ford model t offroad

But there is more. Now let's go to the RTI (Ramp Travel Index). Combining various data, this indicator indicates that “flexibleOf a car. Or rather, the distance it is able to travel without the four wheels losing contact with the ground; advancing one side on horizontal ground and the other on an ascending ramp. A 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon gets 730. The 1908 Ford Model T reaches 1.030. In short, can we say that the first series-production car is also the first classic off-roader?

FORD T. CAPACITIES FOR ALL TERRAINS

The Ford T was advertised as a "Universal car". A really ambitious goal for the time since, with chain production, Henry Ford wanted to make motorized transport available to the masses, leaving behind the idea of ​​the automobile as something reserved for the wealthy classes. To get an idea of ​​how the market was, we will say that, at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, many cities had segregated car lanes. A decisive clue to verify the scarcity of them, especially compared to the most widespread means of urban transport: the bicycle.

ford model t offroad
Photo: Deadline News

That is why the roads still did not cover much of the territory. Therefore, when the Ford T was designed, it had to be done with the premise that it could enter almost any terrain. In this way, and possibly unintentionally, Henry Ford was designing the first classic SUV in history. A car where the enormous suspension travel by rigid axle and transverse leaf spring provides unsuspected qualities to cover almost any terrain, no matter how rough it may be.

Obviously, all this is achieved by suspending at other points. Mainly stability. And of course, just at a glance it is obvious that the Ford T does not have a particularly low center of gravity. Of those with which the car is nailed horizontally like a limpet to the ground in the curves. However, that gives you some unsuspected qualities as a field coach. In fact, reviewing videos about this classic off-road vehicle we find curious displays and pirouettes. A versatility that contributed to the success of the model, with more than 15 million units sold.

ford model t offroad

A CAR FOR RAID?

Surely, many of you are thinking that a centennial car has to be kept under seven keys. However, the reality is that the Ford T is ideal to take it to routes with an extreme point. One of those in which you have to go through a quagmire as well as jump into the waters of a river. Something that this model is prepared for, as shown by the Dirk and Trudy Regter adventure. A Dutch couple who went around the world in a Ford T in 2012.

Yet another proof of the classic off-road qualities of the first series-production vehicle in history. A car that, even with its only 20CV delivered by the 3-liter four-cylinder engine, It is capable of moving its little more than 540 kilos on terrain where many would not dare even with a bicycle equipped with suspensions. A lesson in the value of the classics, which can continue to bring out the colors of more than one current car.

Finally, Do you know which is the other classic SUV par excellence? 😉

What do you think?

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Written by Miguel Sánchez

Through the news from La Escudería, we will travel the winding roads of Maranello listening to the roar of the Italian V12; We will travel Route66 in search of the power of the great American engines; we will get lost in the narrow English lanes tracking the elegance of their sports cars; We will speed up the braking in the curves of the Monte Carlo Rally and we will even get dusty in a garage while rescuing lost jewels.

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