The manufacturing department invoice for my project states the body was supplied by Pontiac.

In my reading it appears the early 1911 Hayes body had a tool compartment door under the rear seat like 09/10.

That leads me to the question of is there any particular perculiarities to a Pontiac body that would have left the factory in early March 1911?

my "pontiac" body, feb '11, has the compartment under the rear seat.

Just in case you don't know: Pontiac is the name they used for Beaudette Body Co. All serial numbers start with B.

www.coachbuilt.com for more info.

mine is number B12568, stamped on the bottom of the doors and under front seat

Actually the name of the company was O.J. Beaudette Co. I don't think they ever used the word "body" in their name. They also later dropped the one t out of the official name or at least that is what they did unofficially. When they first began business they were building "Cutters and Gearwood" as their official business.

I remember reading somewhere it was OJ Beaudette Wagon and Buggy Works.

Where was that?

Hi Stuart-your body would be very close to mine. No other differences noted other than the compartment under the seat? Would you be able to post a photo?

hi alex.....not familiar with any other changes, but i am somewhat new to the 1911. my body number is BB4585 and engine and serial number is 40013.
i can send pics on private post as i haven't
mastered the resizing technique yet.

My 1911 has engine # 86,316 with Body # B22927 under the front seat. No rear seat compartment.

Alex-
I have a friend that had a car s/n 55645 with Beaudette body B-10350 and it had the front hatch under the back seat.

Willard-
On your back doors, is the bead that goes around the edge rolled into the sheet metal, or is it a separate trim piece that is nailed-on?
-Keith

B12568 has no trap door.and it has thin wood strips on the top of the rear doors. I was thinking they were add ons, re they original?

B12568 has no trap door.and it has thin wood strips on the top of the rear doors. I was thinking they were add ons, are they original?

Don-
The wood strips on the tops were add-ons.

Originally the top of the door had the upholstery butt up against the edge of the sheet metal of the door skin, with a row on nails exposed on the metal.

This is the idea:



Keith

Some interesting information on the Beaudette company is at the Coachbuilt web site.

I have a very original Hayes bodied touring with engine number 44430 shipped March 28, 1911. It has the door under the rear seat.

Alix,
Vintage Ford has an article on the 11 touring body in the 70[s (I think). I have it in my library. Both of my 11's HAD the under-seat door as is shown, there was a brass twist-lock at the top middle front. One was there and I made another for the other ford out of stock brass. I sold both of them in the 70's. Jim Finney in Ill., a retired fireman, has had several original 11's. Guys here should know how to get a hold of him. If it is for the particular mfgr. you speak of I cannot tell you as I never got into WHO made the bodies. Did not matter to me.