I finally got my car out of the trailer and into its new garage. I know the rear end, the color and the billed front fenders are not original. This is our first T, but I have experience with lots of old tractors and other old cars. We would like comments and advice on this one.
Thanks,
Craig
Craig, I love the colour. Red ones go faster. If you are looking to make it year correct, you need to find a coilbox with the rounded top on the switch and the straight sides which taper outwards towards the bottom. Yours is a 1915 style. The rear axle is a later item too, late 1915 and younger. 1913 has the bell shaped axle housings riveted to the cast centre with a circle of rivets. It looks fatter! Beware of kind gentlemen who might offer to trade your side lights for the correct black tin ones with brass trim only. Your all brass ones look much nicer.
Hope this helps.
.
Allan from down under
I like your car. Mine got the same treatment back in the late '40s, only they painted the body a creme color, with green fenders and running gear. I've been slowly converting things to the correct appearance, but it takes time to do all that, and I've got the time. Depending on the month you car was manufactured, the coilbox could be wood. The main error I see, is the carburetor adjusting rod is way too low. The top of the plate should be even with the top of the speedometer. Did you get a top for it? Congratulations on your find, and do stay in touch.
I believe your rear fenders are typical of 1914 in that the aprons have a bead, while the 1913 variety are smooth, with no beads.
That being said, I'm not a brass era expert, (or any other kind for that matter), so maybe there are exceptions.
And to make things even more confusing, as in the 1913 body, the bottom of your door has sharp bottom corners and it reaches all the way down to the splash shield.
Hey, brass, red and black go together great. So what if your car has parts from different vintages, as long as it's all Model T? Drive the heck out of it, wave at the neighbors as you pass by and give 'em a blast of that brass horn! When you go to a cruise-in, you'll steal the show from all the muscle cars, fins-of-the-50's and the Caddies with the chrome boobs. Enjoy and play safe!
Craig,
Unless your just an originality nut, your car is fine as is, mine is a Johnny Cash special..... It's'aaaa 1911-12-13-14-15-----20-21-22-23-24-25....automobile ! And the funny thing is I've had it to several local AACA shows the judges didn't have a clue if it was right or wrong! Mainly because 90% of that base is made up of MG's & Mini Coopers collectors.. ect.....
But like I stated during my build, I wanted a fun car that looked early and now the task is completed, well almost. I say drive it as is its a lot more fun than working on them.
Thanks for the comments guys. Will keep you informed as work progresses. Will need to find some year specific parts.
We bought a 13' because they are interesting with lots of variations . I do intend a complete rebuild and will go very dark blue.