1912 Regal Underslung Model T Touring

1912 Regal Underslung Model T Touring

The Regal Car Company opened for business in Detroit in 1907. The company hired Paul Arthur to design a car, which was going to be bodied by the Fisher Coachworks. The company introduced their underslung model in 1911. Since the bodies were interchangeable, you could buy one chassis with several bodies. Because of the sporty presentation allowed by the underslung design and the capabilities the Regal possessed, it was often touted as the 'Poor Man's Mercer.' This was quite the compliment, considering the Mercer sold at twice the price of the Regal.

Fred Tone, chief engineer of the American Motor Car Company of Indianapolis, is credited with the design of the underslung chassis, on which the frame is suspended from the axles (rather than the more traditional vice versa setup). This design lowered the car's center of gravity while preserving ground clearance through the use of larger wheels.

The Regal Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan was one of the companies that used this 'underslung' frame design. Regal was established in 1908 as a partnership between brothers Charles and Bert Lambert and Fred Haines. Their first underslung model came late in 1910, as the smaller 20-horsepwoer line.

The company went into receivership in 1918 after having its biggest production years in 1915, producing 8,227 cars. The story for which Regal may be best known forever is the great recall of 1907. After discovering issues with the 1907 cars, the manufacturer recalled the entire lot of 50 cars and replaced them with new 1908 models.

This particular Model T Tourer was acquired by the current owner in 2000 as an original example while he subsequently restored to original condition. The car had been walled into a building in Massachusetts, from who the previous owner, Vince Peck of Oakland, California, retrieved it.

It is believed that this is one of only two known surviving examples. The car has period-correct features which include a Garford Hand-Signal, pump-operated horn at the driver's right hand, and the original Stewart Speedometer with inclinometer and odometer.

The car is powered by a 198.8 cubic-inch L-head four-cylinder engine rated at 25 horsepower. Its wheelbase measures 106 inches and it has rear-wheel mechanical drum brakes.

Descriptions & pictures by conceptcarz & ruotevecchie