Engine No. 14181359

The ubiquitous nature of the Ford Model T made it a favorite basis for young men of the 1930s and 1940s seeking high performance on a tight budget. Thrifty speed freaks came to realize that by stripping a Model T down to its bare necessities and lightly upgrading the drivetrain with equipment from the hardware store's parts counter, quite a quick, fun little automobile could be created. Today "T speedsters" remain desirable with enthusiasts for the same reason, so it was natural that one would eventually find its way into Jim Taylor's stable, alongside numerous other great performance Fords of all eras.

Jim Taylor acquired his Model T speedster from his longtime friend, Bruce Anderson, a fellow co-founder of the Saratoga Automobile Museum. Thoroughly built and equipped, it is finished in fire engine red with whitewall tires and rear-mounted spare, and dressed with E&J headlights, radiator, rear-view mirror, bulb horn, monocle windshield, fuel filler cap, taillamp, and running board step plates, all in brass, as well as additional bright brass trim on the cowl, body, and seats. There is no odometer, only a clock and an ammeter. An electric starter is provided for ease of operation, while the engine itself is fitted with a Townsend aluminum intake manifold, a generator converted to an alternator, and points distributor with a coil. The chassis is equipped, for safety and ease of use, with upgraded Rocky Mountain brakes and a Ruckstell rear axle, and the rear storage box is stocked with tools and extra parts.

This speedster offers an amazing amount of fun for the money, as well as, in typical Taylor fashion, all the best accessories and equipment for the model. It is an excellent example of the T at its swiftest.