Last year my brother Jim bought a 1911 touring from a Ford dealership in Dublin, Ga. Up until that time the car had been in Dublin since it was new. We posted a story about finding and purchasing the car last year. The link to that story is at: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/179374/204111.html?1305180218
At first we thought maybe the car could be given a minimal amount of work and driven in more or less its original state. As it turned out the body was just too rough to use without extensive work and the plan changed to doing a full restoration on the car, however, Jim plans to use it for touring. The focus of our work has been on the body. To date we have done nothing to the chassis. Most of the sheet metal was rusted out and the fenders were beat up beyond use. Every skin on the body of the car with exception of the doors, one splash apron, and the panel behind the driver’s heel has been replaced. All of the sheet metal work was done in my shop. Oddly enough 90% of the wood was good enough to repair and use. The fenders are new units from Rootlieb. This is a wide track car so the fenders were a custom order. The quality and fit of the fenders is excellent. And the price was not a great deal higher than standard T fenders. The radiator in the photo is from Brassworks. The upholstery is diamond tufted leather over horsehair. My dad, Jim, and I have done all of the upholstery work. This was our first attempt at diamond tufted leather upholstery.
Jim just acquired the proper Brown Model 19 headlights for the car. Some Ebay searching yielded the parts he needed for the carbide generator and also a nice horn. There is still a lot of work to do but it is coming along nicely.
Alan
Alan,
Great pictures. I think you guys are doing a splendid job.
That upholstery is gorgeous!
Are you guys pros or what?........
Alan,
Looks great. Keep posting, good to see another one on the road. Will you go with Midnight Blue?
Rob
From my iPad
Rob,
We have the build sheet on the car and it was originally painted blue. We talked about the shade of the blue you used on your K. We would like to know more about the color it is painted.
BTW the K looks great. I saw it quite a few years ago when it was red.
Alan
Some great work there
Amazing so little of the sheet metal from the original body was useable?
Ok, I know, most cars looks way better in picture than in real life..
Hey Alan! Wow! I saw this car at your home when you guys first bought it! Great job!!!
Michael
You must be very excited about how well the project is coming along. I just love the old, stepped bodies. What a nice job.