The Model T became the preferred vehicle for many fire departments and hospitals in the past. However, modifications were not limited to just that. Henry Ford’s creation was also utilized as a railcar and even as a tractor. Yes, Americans used the Model T on their fields long before the iconic Fordson tractor was introduced in 1917.
The Model T you see here resembles a tractor but was not intended for plowing fields. This contraption was specifically designed to conquer snow-covered roads. It features two rear axles with caterpillar tracks and skis at the front. It is an unexpected conversion, but a truly remarkable interpretation of the iconic automobile.
This particular vehicle was spotted at the National Snowmobile Show in Old Forge, New York, and it seems to have undergone a complete restoration. Although it may appear to have been assembled in a backyard, it was actually manufactured with Ford’s approval. Yes, these conversion kits were available at Ford dealerships in the 1920s.
During a time when snowplows were not commonly used and winter travel by car was extremely challenging, the Model T snowmobile conversion kit was created by Virgil White, an inventor and Ford dealer from West Ossipee, New Hampshire. He patented the kit in 1913 and introduced it to the market in 1922. Henry Ford embraced the idea and allowed White to sell the conversion kit through Ford dealers.
The kit was more expensive than the Model T itself and enabled the vehicle to travel through 30 inches (0.76 meters) of snow at an average speed of 18 mph (29 kph). With the skis removed and the front wheels installed, the dual-axle Model T could also handle muddy terrain and sand. The kit gained popularity among doctors, mail carriers, and grocers.
White continued selling snowmobile kits until 1925, when he sold the rights to his invention to Farm Specialty Manufacturing Company. The latter increased production to over 3,000 units per year and offered conversion kits until 1929, two years after Model T production ceased to make way for the more modern Ford Model A.
As of 2024, these snowmobile conversions are quite rare. There is no specific information on how many have survived to this day, but they seldom appear in public exhibitions. Needless to say, they are not widely known outside of the Model T Snowmobile Club.
Based on its hood design, this snowmobile is based on the fourth-generation Model T, which was produced from 1923 to 1925. Unfortunately, the footage does not show the car in motion, but this snow-ready vehicle is still a remarkable spectacle.
According to the Source autoevolution.com