The Model T is one of the most important monikers to ever exist in Ford’s lifetime, and one South African owns twelve of them.
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The Model T is credited with being the key factor in Ford’s ascension in the automotive world in the early 1900s. Launched in 1908, the Model T became one of the most popular vehicles the brand ever produced. Closer to the tail-end of the 1920s, Ford produced 9 000 vehicles every day in Detroit. To satiate the demand for the revolutionary vehicle, Ford began building production plants outside of the US, with branches like Ford of Canada offering vehicles to the British Commonwealth markets, which included South Africa.
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The model garnered a significant following in South Africa, and soon after its debut locally, the Ford Motor Company of South Africa was founded in Gqerberha, serving as a subsidiary of Ford of Canada. The plant began with the assembly of the Model T using completely knocked-down kits provided by Ford of Canada.
The sale of the first locally produced examples of the Model T began in March 1924, and in 1925, the government reported that there were 18 118 licensed Fords in the country. Production of the Blue Oval model ceased in 1927, and during its production run, Ford manufactured 15 million models worldwide. Interestingly, one South African Ford enthusiast has amassed a significant car collection, most notably featuring twelve pristine Ford Model Ts.
“The reason I enjoy and appreciate Model Ts is because the car has such an interesting history. It is a difficult car to work on, but also fun at the same time. Then there is the challenge of driving them, which is very different compared to what we consider to be the norm. The pedal layout, for one, is not what you would be used to, requiring a completely different approach. By the time I owned three Model Ts, I still couldn’t drive them!”. – André Wessels
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André Wessel has restored a variety of classic Ford vehicles with a scary level of attention to detail. Wessels recounts having his 1914 Racer fitted with a slew of period-correct components such as a 1914 engine, differential, cooling and steering systems.
“It took me a long time to learn how to drive them and currently I’m busy teaching my wife how to drive a Model T. But that is all part of the journey with these cars.”
The oldest Ford residing in Wessels’ collection is a 1912 Model T, while the “newest” member of his collection is a 1926 single-seat race car. Interestingly, he has a 1913 Model T, which has never been restored. The collection of Model Ts is displayed at The Old Tannery in Wellington.
