Henry Ford

Henry Ford's patent drawing
U.S. Patent # 1005186
October 10, 1911

Two forward gears - one reverse.

Note that gears were engaged/disengaged
by using foot pedals (51 and 57).

Transmission was integral to the engine,
not a separate assembly

Not discernable from this drawing is that neutral was located by use of the parking brake lever. The parking brake was applied by pulling a hand lever back. Pulling the lever half way disengaged the multi-disc clutch and allowed the driver to shift gears by depressing foot pedals.

Driving the Model T was a unique automotive experience.

There are three floor pedals. The brake is on the right. Reverse is the middle pedal. The left pedal was used to shift the gears from low to high speed. A hand lever coming through the floor works the brakes and the clutch. Pulling the lever back toward toward the driver sets the parking brake. Placing the lever half way releases the clutch and affects a neutral condition for shifting and stopping.

Stepping on the pedal to the far left, and moving the throttle lever to rev the engine slightly while gently moving the floor lever forward achieves low gear. Once moving, releasing the pedal shifts into high gear. Further acceleration is achieved by moving the throttle lever and the spark advance lever. Depressing the left pedal halfway puts the car in neutral, as does the hand lever.

Model T brakes decelerate the rear wheels using brake bands inside the transmission.

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