Ambulance
VIN 357885
Lic HC7164
For Restoration notes, click here
During World War I, the Allies used thousands of Model T cars and trucks because of their low cost and ease of repair. The ambulance version's light weight made it well-suited for use on the muddy and shell-torn roads in forward combat areas. If stuck in a hole, a group of soldiers could lift one without much difficulty. By Nov. 1, 1918, 4,362 Model T ambulances had been shipped overseas.
The light wooden body was mounted on a standard Model T auto chassis. The 4-cylinder engine produced about 20 hp. There was no self-starter; the engine had to be cranked by hand. This vehicle was equipped with an early form of automatic transmission and could carry three litters or four seated patients and two more could sit with the driver. Model T’s originally had no electronics at all. The headlamps were Carbide Gas, running lights and rear lights were oil lamps. There was no battery, and the engine high tension was created by a magneto, connecting to the four spark plugs. Canvas "pockets" covered the litter handles that stuck out beyond the tailgate. Many American field service and Red Cross volunteer drivers, including writers Ernest Hemingway and Bret Harte and cartoonist Walt Disney drove Model T ambulances.
"Hunka Tin," a poem written as a parody on Rudyard Kipling's "Gunga Din," appeared in the American Field Service Bulletin and was used in Ford dealers' advertising throughout the United States. The final stanza read:
Yes, Tin, Tin, Tin.
You exasperating puzzle, Hunka Tin.
I've abused you and I've flayed you,
But by Henry Ford who made you,
You are better than a Packard, Hunka Tin.
The pictures shown here are of a recent community/public appearance during the Great Americana Festival parade in downtown Paso Robles, CA. Driving and riding are two EWB members. Our ambulance was once again crowned "Best of Show". It sputtered a bit during the parade, and our EWB Wonder Boys mechanic team have nearly completed an engine overhaul. The vehicle is maintained in excellent condition by our museum volunteer staff and it has always produced quite a few "ooh's" and "ahhs" while on display in Freedom Hall.
The US Army utilized the Model T’s for service in 1916, along the Mexican border. There were over 15 Million Model T Fords made between the years 1908, and 1927. In 1917 alone, there were over 390,000 TT trucks delivered to the US Army! As you are probably aware, Henry Ford himself, was dead against the war. He was one of the leading figures in the “Keep America Out of the War” movement. Even so, Ford did not go as far as to refuse to sell running chassis to the Military, but he just made sure that Ford Motor company itself, did not manufacture the military body parts. Afterall, Ford was a shrewd businessman. Ford supplied the chassis, engine and running gear, including bonnet and firewall (Front Bulkhead)....these were then taken to various body and carriage makers who made the appropriate body for which ever branch of service was to use the vehicle, and as to the usage - ambulance conversions, machine gun car conversions, and utility vehicle conversions, both TT truck and standard chassis vehicles.The Model “ T” in military service was the most common type of utility truck in the US Army. Most of the trucks were based on the heavy duty Model TT “1 ton truck chassis”.
More information on our Model T's most recent renovation, click here.
More information on Ford Model T's can be found the Model T Ford Car Page.
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