By 1926, the Ford Model T had been transforming personal transport for nearly two decades. Millions had been built, but the motoring world around it was changing. Competitors were producing more modern and sophisticated cars, forcing Ford to update the famous Model T for its final years.

This four-door Fordor Sedan belongs to that last generation. With fully enclosed bodywork, revised styling and greater passenger comfort, it shows how far the Model T had evolved since the earliest examples appeared in 1908.

The Improved Ford

For 1926, Ford introduced a series of changes that became known collectively as the "Improved Ford".

The bodywork was restyled to give the Model T a lower and more contemporary appearance. Larger fenders and running boards changed its proportions, while brightwork around the radiator helped distinguish these later cars from their predecessors.

Ford was attempting to keep the Model T attractive to buyers without abandoning the simple mechanical design that had made it so successful.

The Fordor Sedan

The name "Fordor" was Ford's term for its four-door sedan, distinguishing it from the two-door "Tudor" Sedan.

With an enclosed passenger compartment and four doors, the Fordor provided considerably greater comfort and weather protection than open Model Ts. This made it particularly suitable for families and motorists who wanted a car that could be used comfortably throughout the year.

By the mid-1920s, enclosed cars were becoming increasingly desirable as motorists expected greater comfort and convenience from their vehicles.

More Than Just Black

The Model T is famously associated with Henry Ford's statement that customers could have a car in any colour "so long as it is black". In reality, the colour history of the Model T was more complicated.

Black dominated Model T production for many years because it suited Ford's highly efficient manufacturing methods. By the later 1920s, however, competition was increasing and buyers were demanding greater choice.

For the improved models, colour returned to the range, particularly on closed body styles such as the Fordor Sedan. Along with updated styling and brightwork, this helped give the ageing Model T a more fashionable appearance.

Familiar Model T Engineering

Despite its updated appearance, the 1926 Model T retained the basic mechanical layout that had served Ford for so many years.

Its 2.9-litre four-cylinder engine produced approximately 20 horsepower and drove the rear wheels through a two-speed planetary transmission. The transmission was operated using pedals and a hand lever rather than the conventional gear-change arrangement that was becoming increasingly common on competing cars.

Ford continued to refine the design, making numerous improvements to the chassis, braking system and other components during the Model T's later years.

The End of an Era

By 1926, the Model T faced increasingly serious competition, particularly from Chevrolet. Buyers were expecting more power, greater comfort, conventional controls and increasingly stylish bodywork.

Ford's improvements could only extend the Model T's life for so long.

Production finally ended in 1927 after approximately 15 million Model Ts had been built. Ford then shut down production to prepare for its replacement, the completely new Model A.

The change marked the end of one of the most remarkable production runs in automotive history.

Sir Len's First Restoration

This particular Fordor Sedan has an important place in the history of Southward Car Museum.

It was the first car restored by Sir Len Southward, making it significant not only as a late example of the Model T, but also as an important part of Len's development as a collector and restorer of historic vehicles.

Restoration would become an important part of preserving many of the vehicles that eventually formed the Southward collection.

This Car

Built in 1926, this Fordor Sedan represents the Model T near the end of its extraordinary life.

Its enclosed four-door body, updated appearance and greater emphasis on passenger comfort contrast with the simpler open Model Ts of earlier years, while underneath remained much of the engineering that had helped make the Model T famous.

For Southward Car Museum, however, its importance is also personal. As the first car restored by Sir Len Southward, it represents another early step in the story that eventually led to the creation of the museum and the collection seen today.