I am currently doing some research on a recent acquistion for a museum that has picked up a 1914 Model T Right-hand drive. I am looking for any sorts of information relating to the production in Canada of these "specials". Any help would be appreciated.

I live in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. Saint John is a seaport and during WWI many right hand drive T's were exported overseas via this port. As you probably noticed, cars produced in Canada had 4 doors rather than the 3 on US cars so that either right or left drive could be accomodated. Cars were exported either as complete units or as "knockdowns" that could be assembled at the destination, notably Australia and New Zealand. These cars are not really "specials" but were standard for Canadian production. In 1917 a boatload of these cars were being exported from Saint John and the ship carrying them sank in the Saint John Harbour. The cars were retrieved from the salt water, rebuilt at the Saint John Ford facility and sold locally since the war was over. These cars became known locally as "pickled Fords" due to their immersion in salt water. I have been told that the bodies did not last very well thanks to their brine treatment. I only know of one of these 1917 cars in existance locally. In the 1950's it was in a body shop in the city and then changed hands several times. The last time I saw it a few years ago ther was no body remaining, only the chassis with right hand drive. The owner then gave it to a local fire department for parts as they were restoring a Model T fire engine. There was an article in the Saint John newspaper many years ago about these "pickled" Fords and probably could be found in their archives.

Justin, I too am seeking information about Canadian Model Ts since I am working on a 1914 Canadian car, only mine is a roadster. What I have found is that these cars had 3x3 1/2 tires all the way around. They also can have Robinson screws instead of the normal flat head screws. The engine will have a different series of serial numbers that begins with a C. The radiator should have Made in Canada stamped on it by 1914. The Made in USA should not be on the head, not sure if it should say Made in Canada. The hub caps should not have Made in USA on them either. It should also have a Canadian Patent Plate that I have yet to find since the on my car is gone. If anyone can add to this, I would be very much appreciative.

Glenn

Justin and Glenne,
I can't speak for the 1914 Ts but my late 23 has Made in Canada on everything even the transmission drums



Regards
Colin

Thanks guys. This helps a lot. Do you know of any resources that I could find information in about in regards to these Canadian productions? The vehicle we are about to receive is one from British Columbia, which was right-hand drive till about 1922. Any idea where I could fnd info about the ones sent west?

I own a 1914 canadian trg for 20 yrs. the rad neck, wheels, fenders, body screws, fenders, horn bulb mounting,windsh ield hinges, are just some of the differences.

G'day,
I have a 23 roadster(not restored). This car came to Australia flat packed from Canada, and assembled by a dealer here as was the practice at the time. The engine number starts with a "C", Made in Canada appears on the head, block,front hubs,radiator cowl,running boards, exhaust manifold and various other parts inside the transmission. The only part of the car not made by Ford Canada is the Australian body fitted by a local bodybuiler so not to incur a duty applied by the government for a complete car imported to Australia. Ford Australia started in 1925 at Geelong Victoria, assembling cars from Canada. Ford bodies were used from this time.

Justin and Peter, at this time there is a thread running on the the other forum MTFCA about what you want to know titled..Colours used on Canadian produced Model T's from 1909-1914, RHD was not special but needed for the Commonwealth countries as we did not have or want LHD as Australia was declared a RHD country in 1835 or there about. If you wish to chase me up on the MTFCAustralia site I will send you the production sheet... Ray Green Australia