My Latest Affliction...........

[undertaker]

Greetings to All,

I have not posted in awhile and recently I had occasion to talk with Art who rebuked me for not posting in so long . Anyway I thought that I would Post a couple of shots of my 1922 Ford Model T Touring Car that has been taking alot of my time. These cars are like hats and since I got this first one I have started building another from scratch, I may post some shots of it later.

And a snap shot of the Kids on a Tour in Crossville, TN.

Respectfully submitted,
J.S.

 

[David Conwill]

Ahh, the tourer, my favorite bodystyle of T. I too am building a T from scratch - I've got a ways to go, though, as all I have so far are a mint frame that a hot rodder discarded and a rusty radiator shell that I bought from a farmer. The upshot is that I've only got $53 invested!

Mine's gonna come out something like this, however.

I have elected to go with all T mechanicals. I had considered substituting Model A parts because they're more like the late-model pieces I'm used to dealing with, but I've changed my mind. If T bits were good enough for Multy Aldrich, they're good enough for me.

I've been promised a driving lesson in a '19 this summer if I can get to Dearborn.

So, about yours. How long have you had it? Is she all stock or hiding a Rajo head or Warford overdrive or some other delightful period accessory? Do you drive her much?

You T guys seem to have the most fun in the Ford community. And you're hardy souls too. I read once that when the weather gets really bad at Hershey it becomes virtually an all-T swap meet since you're the only buyers and sellers who can take it.

-Dave

 

[undertaker]

So, about yours. How long have you had it? Is she all stock or hiding a Rajo head or Warford overdrive or some other delightful period accessory? Do you drive her much?

You T guys seem to have the most fun in the Ford community. And you're hardy souls too. I read once that when the weather gets really bad at Hershey it becomes virtually an all-T swap meet since you're the only buyers and sellers who can take it.

-Dave

I have had this one about a year. I have always wanted a touring car. I considered a 1911 Mitchell, but the parts are scarce and expensive. Parts are easliy obtained for the T and are for the most part inexpensive, which is how Henry intended them to be. This one is all stock, cast iron pistons, 6 volt generated system, and Ford Planetary Transmission. I have installed a Warford in the other chassis for some of these East TN hills and may do some other slight modifications, but the more you modifiy the T the less reliable they seem to be. Thay are tough old cars and we have a ball with ours. When you get ready and start your parts search let me know and I will be glad to help if I can.

Regards,
J.S.

 

[David Conwill]

I have had this one about a year. I have always wanted a touring car.

I take it you bought her restored, then? I imagine that will make your ground-up build all the easier, with an example to work from. I have been meaning to plug into my local MTFCA chapter for some time now, but like everything else, I lack the time.

I too have always wanted a touring. At least ever since I saw "Make Mine Music" and "The Absent Minded Professor" at age four or so.

I considered a 1911 Mitchell, but the parts are scarce and expensive.

Is this a Mitchell?

It's sharp, but I can see where restoring one would get difficult and expensive. If I were going to own a brass-era car, I'd want to acquire a 1911 Henry. They were made in Muskegon, Michigan (my hometown), but I don't think any have survived.

Parts are easliy obtained for the T and are for the most part inexpensive, which is how Henry intended them to be.

And part of the attraction to me. That and their sheer ubiquity at one point in history. They pervade our culture in so many ways. Plus they were so versatile - hot rods, tractors, snowmobiles, sawmills, etc. I do love that you can get everything you need to restore a T. If you had the cash, I think you could start with just a cowl and a frame and buy everything else from the aftermarket brand new!

This one is all stock, cast iron pistons, 6 volt generated system, and Ford Planetary Transmission. I have installed a Warford in the other chassis for some of these East TN hills and may do some other slight modifications, but the more you modifiy the T the less reliable they seem to be.

But I'll bet your left leg will thank you. It's gotta get tiring holding in that left lever all the time when climbing a hill. As for the reduction in reliability, I worry about that. Plus getting away from the purity of the T sort of ruins it. Ideally, I think I'd do nothing more to mine than fit high-compression pistons, a "low" head, and an exhaust header. I'd follow up with a Ruckstell rear axle and a set of Rocky Mountain brakes for safety. I don't want to get wild, but I'd feel like a real poseur to build a fenderless car with a kicked-out front axle but a stock engine!

Thay are tough old cars and we have a ball with ours. When you get ready and start your parts search let me know and I will be glad to help if I can.

Thanks. The real battle with mine is going to be getting my wife to love it in fenderless condition. She'd like a completely upright stocker, but I just have to put my stamp on something so emblematic of our mass-produced culture.

When I'm out of school and looking for parts in earnest, I'll remember to look you up.

-Dave

 

[undertaker]

Is this a Mitchell?

-Dave

Dave,

I'm not sure what that is. It doesn't look like the Mitchell that I am familiar with, but it is probably a more posh car than a Model T. This car is sort of a well kept survivor it just hasn't needed much. My other car will be a 22' with 15' fenders, wheels, and radiator. I plan to build a custom depot hack type body. If you spend any time on the MTFCA site you might show your wife some of those Speedsters, they offer alot of those in kits for around $4000.00. You still have to have some wheels, radiator, frame,and etc..., but my Wife even says they are nice[huh] .

Thanks,
J.S.

 

[Flivver]

Undertaker...that's a particularly nice Model T!

I've always wanted a Model T but have never owned one. A nice '26 or '27 Coupe has always been my desire.

T's are great because they are the only car from the teens and twenties with a readily available supply of new spare parts at reasonable prices. And due to the planetary transmission, just about anyone, including children, can drive them.

For its centennial celebration in 2003, Ford actually created (via an outside supplier) ten all new 1914 Model T touring cars...from new parts. If I remember correctly, after the celebration, the "new" Model T's were auctioned off for charity.

 

[undertaker]

Thanks....

.... Flivver, I appreciate your kind comments, We are very fond of her, and maybe a bit partial .

Regards,
J.S.

 

[MrNewportCustom]

You got it!!

I've been waiting for this announcement! Congratulations, undertaker! Enjoy!

EDIT: I just remembered! There's a shop in La Verne, CA. that specializes in model Ts. I found it a few years ago on my way to a car show.


Lee