Model T Ford

According to Ford Motor Company, the Model T had fuel economy on the order of 13 to 21 mpg- Right from Wiki

Automotive technology seems to have improved over the model T in all areas except fuel economy. I read that a model T could use petrol, kerosene or ethanol as fuel. Add batteries and an electric motor and you have a true hybrid and all 100 years ago. I had a VW that would get 40mpg and that was driving flat out on the freeway.

I read 1908 model T - 25 mpg

I've heard such numbers before. Remember that Model T's had a pretty low compression ratio stock; but in their day there were a lot of higher compression heads and other mods to give higher horsepower. With the right carburation the engine could be made significantly more efficient than stock especially if other mods like high speed cams (which kill low speed efficiency) were not also included.

The other important factor was that model T's were small lightweight vehicles. Vehicle weight has a lot to do with mileage since less energy is needed to accelerate them to travel speed (and then lost in braking). This lesson seems to be lost on modern auto customers who feel they need an armoured battleship to protect themselves; as opposed to driving skill.

Ed Weldon

I don't know about the Model T, those numbers sound about right from what I recall from my grandfather.

I have a 1957 Mercedes 220S that I got 29 mpg at 60 MPH and 19mpg at 90 MPH.

We had a '61 Falcon station wagon with the large six that would get 20-30 mpg pretty consistently.

So, summing up from where Henry Ford started to where we are today, the automobile hasn't really metamorphosised to a vastly superior machine... same 4 wheels, one steering wheel, reciprocating internal combustion engine, differential, gearbox and other parts of the transmission....not really any progress eh?

Have a 1927 Model T, stock drivetrain/90% restored, reputed to be flex-fuel capable though we've never needed to try running kerosene or other fuel through it; gets around 20 mpg with standard 87 Octane gasoline for parades. Still needs a strong arm and the recommended thumb-out-of-the-way technique to crank it up safely. Plenty of compression.

*Early mechanic for tune-up work was Mexican 'revolutionary' Pancho Villa's former "cook." Really.