Antiques: Locking up the ol' Model T

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06-04-2025

To call Palm Springs a "car town" is hardly a misnomer. For years, classic and exotic cars have been hot commodities throughout the Coachella Valley. Vintage auto dealerships thrive here, car shows are frequent and giant locally hosted vehicle auctions attract bidders from around the globe.
And, of course, with all that come some issues.
Catalytic converter thefts have increased by triple digits over the last few years, and several hundred cars per year are swiped off Palm Springs streets. No doubt the valley-wide numbers are even higher. Still, it's hardly a new problem. Anti-theft devices date back to the Model-T days, and it just so happens we now have a couple of those in stock. Let's do some remembering.
It's entirely possible, maybe even likely, that someone in your family tree owned a Model T. Introduced in 1908 by the visionary if controversial Henry Ford, his idea was to provide reliable motorized transportation to the masses. In 1909, a Model T was priced at $825, but six years later economies of scale had brought that down to a remarkable $260 (about $4,700 in today's terms). Not surprisingly, it was a huge success. More than 15 million were sold over the years, making it the bestselling car of all time until Volkswagen knocked it off the top spot in 1972.
By 1928, competitors to the Model T were closing in, so Ford did it again by introducing the Model A. That car offered a much wider series of options at a range of price points, and by 1932 nearly five million had been sold. It also pioneered many new features that became standard equipment over the years, including such things as rear view mirrors and safety glass windshields.
Despite the ubiquity of both the Model A and T, or perhaps because of it, auto theft was an early concern. To combat the crime, security companies developed auto boots that affixed to the car's wheels and prevented movement. These were sturdy affairs made of steel and locked into place with a key — very much like those used today.
Most included a small brass plaque trumpeting the manufacturer's name and other information. Because the Model T was often a buyer's very first car, he or she would become very attached to it, adding a range of aftermarket accessories to personalize their ownership. And purchasing an auto boot was thought to be a good way to secure their investment.
While not the most charming of automobile collectibles, early auto boots like those pictured here certainly anticipated the wave of car thefts to come. Back then, the problem was a fraction of what it is today but the impulse to keep one's car safe was just as relatable. And insofar as more than 50,000 Model Ts are still on the road (some estimates are as high as 100,000), perhaps these old auto boots still have some utility left in them. You might even need one yourself.
Mike Rivkin and his wife, Linda, are long-time residents of Rancho Mirage. For many years, he was an award-winning catalogue publisher and has authored seven books, along with countless articles. Now, he's the owner of Antique Galleries of Palm Springs. His antiques column appears Sundays in The Desert Sun. Want to send Mike a question about antiques? Drop him a line at [e-mail].
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Antiques: Locking up the ol' Model T