Can someone identify this car? Is it a K roadster?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Can someone identify this car? Is it a K roadster?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Button III (Chip), Lake Clear, NY on Friday, August 31, 2012 - 12:55 am:

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/404045_274772709300790_1606294945_n. jpg


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Herb Iffrig on Friday, August 31, 2012 - 12:59 am:

It is not a K roadster but one of the NRS cars.
Hap or Rob will be able to tell which one.

Herb


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Friday, August 31, 2012 - 04:19 am:

Chip,

It is either a 1907 R, or 1908 S runabout. The only way to tell them apart is by the shape of the rear deck trunk. The R had a rounded trunk, the S Runabout was pointed like the Ns.

Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker on Friday, August 31, 2012 - 06:54 am:

Chip,

Great photo! Is it possible to obtain a higher resolution copy or scan? I’m 99.9% sure if no major parts (such as body, fenders, running boards, or wheels were changed out) that it is a 1907-1908 (technically Rob is correct – the Model S Runabout was introduced in Oct 1907 and today we would say that was a 1908 year model. And of course the last recorded manufacture of 3 Model S Roadsters was in Jul 1909 – but we still consider them 1908 Model S Roadsters as they were assembled from the 1908ish parts. But Ford as well as most of the other makers back then had models that ran for several years and so it was not really a year model like it is today. The Model S Runabout was a quick replacement for the Model R Runabout that Ford had only contracted for 2500 or so bodies and they were already sold out before the year was over).

Again all of this assumes the car in the photograph had the original parts and no swapping of those other parts. Just like the T parts interchange easily so do the Model N Runabout, Model R Runabout, Model S Runabout, and Model S Roadster (there also was an S Coupe, S Touring, and S Landaulet – but very very few of those).

Rationale:

The Rear Deck is pointed. If it was the R rounded deck you would not see an “air gap” between the trunk and the rear fender at that angle. (I’ll try to remember to post some photos illustrating that – if I forget and you would like them – please send me a note). By the way it has taken me a long time to be able to understand that. It has always been that way – but I used to have to see a photo from the rear to know if it was a rounded Model R Runabout rear deck or a pointed Model N Runabout or Model S Runabout rear deck. [Side note – Ford made the Model S Runabout by basically dropping the Model N pointed deck body on the Model R chassis and using the smaller Model N wheels. And just about all the chassis are very close to the same and switching some parts, filling or drilling some holes any N, R, S, or SR frame can become any chassis [excludes the very limited modified longer touring chassis].

The wheels appear to be the 28 x 3 used on the Model S Runabout rather than the 30 x 3 used on the Model R Runabout (often hard to tell but the unloaded car has a lot of distance between the fenders and the wheels).

The chassis is painted a light color which is typical of the Model S Runabouts (painted cream) while the Model R Runabouts were all dark green chassis and wheels and body.

And if anyone else has some early photos of the Model N, R, S, SR, Coupe, Touring, Laundalet, or cut off [just like the T – they often became a truck when they were no longer the “new car” in the family – please send and/or post them. They can be a great help in documenting the different variations on the production.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Herb Iffrig on Friday, August 31, 2012 - 07:56 am:


Here is the photo.
It looks like it has the rear turtle deck?

Herb


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By CharlesHebert on Friday, August 31, 2012 - 07:58 am:

I think what looks like a turtle deck is actually more of a boat tail.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Herb Iffrig on Friday, August 31, 2012 - 08:44 am:

You are right, boattail


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Haynes on Friday, August 31, 2012 - 06:28 pm:

Pointed "boat tail" deck = beetle back (as opposed to turtle deck).


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