It might be interesting to note that Ford claims to have built fifteen million Model T cars; this figure is based on the number of engines. Records show, however, that a good many engines were made which did not go into a car, perhaps being for replacement or other use. Fifteen million, of course, is an approximate figure. Add the thousands of cars made in Canada, which are not included in the U.S. serial numbers, and the fifteen million is a reasonably safe number. (Canadian serial numbers, beginning about 1913, generally begin with a “C” and were not a part of the U.S. count. Prior to 1913 Canada used U.S. engine numbers.)
The engine number was also the serial number of the car. Engines were numbered when they were completed, and for the most part went into a chassis within a day or so. However, some engines were assembled and numbered at branch assembly plants. Highland Park would ship a block of engine number records to an assembly plant and these engines might be made weeks or months afterwards. Consequently, engine numbers can only be used to date the “engine” NOT the car.
Our example is a custom-bodied removalist van used by Holbrooks Removal in Canberra. This vehicle will become Capital Classic Autos promo vehicle.