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Interesting article.
It was a frequent practice in Australia and New Zealand, when the T was an everyday car, to fit a Chev. 4 gearbox after the standard T's epicyclic transmission. The result was, as stated 7 forward gears and 5 reverse, however as the T transmission in 'high' was 1:1 and the Chev. gearbox in top is 1:1, there is no overdrive effect so no increase in top speed. The reason for the conversion was usually because the vehicle was used in hilly country with heavy loads, and a second hand Chev gearbox was cheaper than a Ruxstell axle.
There is no mention of alterations to the engine so how was the higher speed managed? Several OHV conversion kits were available for the T, and one of those could have created the extra pace.
Many years ago I drove Model T's extensively. Usual fuel consumption was in the region of 25 mpg but that was imperial gallons at four and a half liters to the gallon, a U.S. gallon is 3.8 liters.
It is interesting that the new body is so high over the engine compartment, one would think that a gentle rise from the top of the radiator to the bottom of the windscreen would have been more aerodynamic.
Certainly a very interesting 'dress-up' for a T, I would have enjoyed studying it.
Roverdriver in Australia.
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