http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/m/mercury/mercury.htm Mercury body



Mine

I know it was in the family 1919, was told it was purchased around 1917 by my great uncle
I wonder if this is what it is?

I am sure it is not a Mercury. If for no other reason, because they were not built till after 1919.
There were over fifty companies that built after-market speedster bodies for the model T. Most of the ones I am familiar with, I know yours is not. The cowl looks a lot like the 1919 Champion body I had some years ago as well as the unknown make body I now have. But the back end is nothing like either. Champion did build several different styles and it would be possible to be one of them. But that still leaves about 40 more companies to go.
Also, you do not need to know what company built the body. It looks like you have all you need to resurrect a fantastic speedster, and a very special one at that. Repeat after me, "We have no idea who the original builder of the body is, but it sure is fun to drive".
Do you have any original photos of the car?
I love it, W2

Another short story.
A couple of years ago, I debated about calling on an advertisement for a speedster body, "It may be a Mercury?". I finally called after a few weeks and was told I was the 54th caller. Three of the first five callers verified that it was NOT a Mercury. NO ONE ELSE went to see it. The price had dropped from over $500. to less than $200.
Thanks to all you snobs, I had a wonderful time on the endurance run last year, and it looks great in my garage. I just wish I was going on the run this year, less than two weeks. Family #*@#
W2

Here is what Mine looks like with the light on.

Thanks Guy's
I'm still going to try and figure out what it is
to bad the one's who knew are all passed on

Shawn,
That style of body looks awful familiar. I assume you know about www.nwvs.org which is the speedster site. Also, have you checked the Fast Ford Handbook or Model T Speed & Sport? Lots of ads in those 2 books. The original bodies that I've experienced so far (at least the enclosed ones like your photo) have been a little small for me (I'm 6'-1" tall). I know of an original Paco that I was unable to get in. My legs just were too long and my feet too big! You've got a neat original!!!
Verne

Hi Verne
My father remembers that when he was young there was a book, at his home, that listed all the different styles and body manufacturer's
for the "t's"
we are hopeing to find it , but most likely my uncle threw it out
Shawn
ps thanks for the link

Radiator on the top photo looks like the one on my '28 Whippet. Have seen them in other speedster pictures. Evidently it was a popular choice due to its shape and lots of bright nickle plating.

Gary

Nice to see what it look slike with the light on. Even better to see what it looks like in my garage! ;)

Shawn,
Here's some pictures from the Fast Ford Handbook and the Model T in Speed & Sport. There are a couple of bodies that have a resemblance to the one you have. One was called the Limaco, made by the Lima Sheet Metal Products Co. in Lima, Ohio. The other is a Lamco (or maybe Iamco?) made by the Lehman Mfg. Co., Cannelton, Indiana. The Limaco appears to have at least 2 styles. One with kind of a notch at the door and the other that just has a smooth curve. I've included some pictures below. Some do not indicate what company made the body but might give you some ideas of what a completed car would look like. Some are pretty neat. I like the one in third photo from the top.
Verne

Well it took me a while to find my old post,...

But my father and I are starting on this car,
we have decided it will be a 17 as my father heard my great uncle say it was ,( he originaly told me 14)
he has long since passed away,and I don't know how to verify yr
my father is ageing and always wanted to drive it, and I have 2 complete sets of 17 running gear
so a 17 it is!
anyone with info??
it has a cloth seat , light green paint
I'm not repainting it , say "P ping obie"
on the back, I was told he (they) raced it
I have to shorten a steering column
(originals bad shape)
thanks
shawn

It was common for speedster bodies to be put onto an older chassis. Usually it would only be about three or four years old. So the year confusion could be that it was built in 1917 on a 1914 chassis. I would recommend using your 1917 chassis and RUN with it! I am glad to hear that you are beginning restoration. That is a great old body.
Drive carefully, w2

Well,
It was mentioned that a whippet rad was used on some of the speedsters,
(thanks Gary H white)
so Dad tracked down a rough unrestorable one,
hopeing to aquire it and the hood soon,
and since we have a 28 whippet in the barn, the rest of the parts will be put to good use too,

next
thanks to you guys on here , my father is obsessed with the 28 chev head idea, and has tracked one down,
I'm not going to let him read this from the site anymore , it's making to much work for me.. lol