This isn't really a big deal for me. The only reason I bring it up is that more than once I've been told that the bumpers are not correct for the year of my car and they're early Model A bumpers? I know what the open end bumpers look like.
I've wondered that since my 27 was built in Feb. only 3 months before the end of the Model T production, if Ford was installing these bumpers or maybe shipping them to dealers for installation?
Of course they could have been installed by an owner but seeing them on that 27 Depo Hack, just raised my curiosity again.
You can't see them in the pictures but there are little diamond shaped things bolted along the bumpers, if that's any help.
Dennis
Here are Ford adv pictures of Ford factory accessory bumpers. The bars are separate, and no bolts at the ends.
There is a slight flare at each end of these bars. Clamps are oval like, and a center round clamp keeps the bars from rattling when running. But....on a T these things do shake
Installed Ford factory bumpers on my '26 touring, these are original bars, but instead of re-nickel, took them to the powder coater for $15 ea and had them black coated.....looks ok with the new repro chrome clamps....
the very early model A bumpers were open ended, just like the model T ............ not sure when they started closing them up with a bolt at the end, but it was into the model A production somewhere. i also believe bumpers were an option on the 26-27 T's and standard equipt. on the A's ...... just my thoughts
Perhaps your bumpers are aftermarket brand. Those diamond shapes may be clue on brand i.d. Many makes of T bumpers, Gomco, Lyon, Bi-Flex, Stewart -Warner, Marquette, to name just a few.
Saw this adv for brakes, but noted the diamond in the bumpers, now that's an artists work, but he must have seem diamonds in popular brand of bumpers to add them to his artwork? Just an idea.
Tim
Bumpers became a factory Ford accessory with release in the Service Bulletin, February 1926.
You are right, the early 1928 Ford A had open end bumpers, but changed to those bolted ones very shortly in the '28 model year.
Most folks looking at a Model T with 'closed ends' with bolt fasteners would think they are Model A bumpers....or could be aftermarket brands with that same bolted end feature.
that sounds right to me, dan. ..... dennis, what I think you have there is a very nice set of aftermarket bumpers. you'll be OK until the "correct police" start carrying . .... then, most of us will be in trouble. i love accessories of all kinds and think those are preety neat. i have period bumpers on everything here, and a FORD set on the '27 ... i love 'em all !! ( i don't hand crank because of a bad shoulder, but bumpers don't make it any more pleasent ) ...... in fact, i'm looking for a spring loaded "GEMCO" rear bumper, to match a front one on a speedster here.
Dennis,
I have a March 27 Fordor and it has only the font bumper. Mine is like the one in the advertisement (open ends). I think it is original to the car from the history Ive gathered from previous owners. For what its worth.
Brian
I'm just going to conclude that they are accessory bumpers. The first owner probably fixed it up a bit. That's fine with me, I'm not a purist.
They look fine and I've already "tested" the right rear one on a car port support, saved me a fender.
Anybody else own a Model T with 2 rear view mirrors?
Mine has a clear one and a tinted one. I'm sure that wasn't "factory".
?Dennis,
My unrestored '26 Tudor has a bumper very much like yours. I know it's not a Ford item, but it is a nice period accessory--and as you have already found out, quite useful!
I also have an inside rear view two-mirror accessory bracket that I plan on putting on my '26!
T'
David D.
PS, yes the open-ended bumpers were used on very early '28 A's--the documentation indicates "first 200 cars" but there's a lot more bumper sets out there than that!
I am interested in finding brackets and bumper ends to install a brass round bumper on my early T... and repop out there?
Dennis
Ran across this adv for 'Dual Mirror", seems to be a lot like the one in your Tudor. Thought you would enjoy this
Ford Dealer and Owner magazine, Dec 1925
You're right! Thanks.
I can barely make out the writing, but it looks like it says "one for each occupant of the front seat"? My ol lady is enough of an "assistant driver" as is. If I let her have her own mirror, I might as well put in a second steering wheel too. Never gave a moment's thought to a "Mother in Law mirror".
The right mirror on my set is tinted. I can only conclude that it was an attempt at having a rear view mirror that you could use when the people behind you had bright lights on.
I'm also going to conclude that my car spent it's early life in a big city where there were lots of cars. It doesn't seem to me that somebody who lived in an area with few cars would think of an accessory like this.
Here is an interesting rear bumper I saw on a T I looked at yesterday. There is one on the front of the car also:
Dan, All of the pictures and photos that you posted, show that the oval shaped bar mounting hardware are nickle plated, but the "experts" at all of the suppliers state in their catalogs that these were originally painted gloss black. I know Ford's original drawings, if in color, were sometimes "doctored", and not always correct. What is correct?
Terry
Perhaps correct, don't have any Ford factory document on the paint or plated for the exterior oval bracket plate, but pictures from the period perhaps show 'black painted' oval clamps. The backing plate was most likely painted, not plated, it didn't show.
The Ford adv looks shiny like plated, may have been done or both, with paint later or earlier. The painted would look nice on the plated bumper bars. Original round center clamps I have seen are plated. So.....maybe either are ok ? But if plated, it should only be nickel.