Bonzle Collections - Trucks

Ford Model T truck of E. H. Cutler's plumbing service delivering a water tank, Ipswich, ca. 1914

contributed by QldPics, taken in 1914
(contact QldPics about this picture)

E. H. Cutler's plumbing service delivering a rainwater tank on their Model T Ford 10 cwt. light truck about 1914. Many urban households still relied on tank water at this time. E. H. Cutler's plumbing business, then located in Boundary Street, Ipswich, was in operation in the Ipswich area until 1982.
The front of the North American built Ford chassis is 'as delivered from the manufacturer', with no lights, cab or windscreen and is typical of those produced from 1908 to 1916. The rear is fitted with a well-type utility body built by Albert Edward Roberts' Coachworks. Roberts' Coachworks were located in Gordon Street, Ipswich, between Limestone and Brisbane Streets. The main differences between the Model T truck and car chassis was the fitment of a heavy duty rear axle, brakes and springs. The truck rear axle used a worm drive to improve pulling power and engine braking, with a choice of ratios providing maximum speeds of 15 mph for the standard ratio or 22 mph for the optional 'fast delivery' ratio.