There's a Ford leaflet on eBay now which shows that, in the final year of production, Ford was offering plain as well as black-painted wood wheels. Or you could have wire wheels in red, cream, green or two other colours.
And your Fordor could have silk curtains.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1926-1927-Ford-Model-T-Full-Line-Mailer-Brochure-Reput ation-wt8104-/350963301666?ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:3160
Chris,
Thank you so much for pointing that one out. I do not normally check the UK e-bay site. But that is a great USA Improved Car Sales Brochure. The auction/buy it now is over. But the brochure is still up if someone wants to copy a few pages. If you have a 1926-27 improved Ford – it would make a great screen saver etc.
Illustration below is from that brochure:
Obviously the original would be much sharper etc. But for still potentially some nice screen savers etc.
Note from the list price of the cars I believe it would have been for use sometime between Jun 1926 and the end of production. Based on the wood spoked wheels illustrated on the closed cars “IF” the brochure matched the production of cars it would have stopped being printed in the fall of 1926. The wood spoked wheels were replaced by the standard wire wheels on the closed cars in fall 1926 [early 1927 production]. But often Ford did NOT update photos/illustrations. For example the “improved car” on the first page of the brochure did NOT have a tie bar between the headlights – it was an early 1926 model. And a different 1927 sales brochure that Bruce has in his “Model T Comprehensive Encyclopedia” still has the wood wheels shown on some of the closed cars.
While brochures such as this are not authoritative for restoration, they are great for additional ideas and things to find additional data about. Bruce McCalley on pages 375 to 379 reproduced in black & white those same pages [plus one additional page for the Fordor]. But the e-bay pages are larger with some color.
Additional details:
Ref page 369 of Bruce McCalley’s “Model T Ford” the prices for the different models line up with the prices that went into effect Jun 6, 1926 and continued to be in effect until the end of production.
From: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/U-Z.htm#wheels Bruce stated:
Wire wheels, introduced in January 1926 in black only at first, then in several colors, became optional. These used the same 21” tires as the wooden balloon wheels. New hub caps, nickel-plated steel, were used with the wire wheels.
1927
Standard wheels were the 21” demountables, with the wire wheels an option. Wire wheels became standard equipment in the last production on closed cars beginning in late 1926. Black was the supplied color; other colors were special order or dealer-installed options.
http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/doc25.htm
MAY 14, 1925 Factory Letter
NATURAL WOOD WHEELS announced. T-291-1 front wheel, balloon, with hub and less rim, at $5.50 each. T-2815G rear wheel, balloon, with hub and less rim, at $5.50 each. These were sold as a set to the dealer for $13.20. They were to be sold to the customer on an exchange basis (for black balloon wheels) for $15.00. Ford would allow a credit of $6.00 for the returned set.
http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/doc26.htm
JAN 7, 1926 Letter to dealers from Fargo, ND, branch)
"Ford wire wheels as shown in colored folder on Ford National Show Week, retail for $50 per set of five. Bumpers retail at $15 per pair.
"We give you this information to answer inquiries that may arise during Show Week.
"Bumpers and wire wheels will be available THRU SERVICE STOCK ONLY on or about February 1.
JUL 9, 1926 Letter from the Chicago branch
Announced that only balloon wheels could be taken in exchange for wire wheels since the high pressure (30x3-1/2) were no longer used in production. The factory allowed $11.50 for a set of the wood wheels, and apparently they were used in new production of cars.
OCT 28, 1926 Letter from the Chicago branch
"FORDORS: Black wire wheels are now standard equipment at no extra cost. Should your customer desire colored wire wheels instead of black, we recommend an extra charge of $10.00 be made for the change-over."
The Fordor in the brochure has the wood spoke wheels.
DEC 31, 1926 Letter from the Chicago branch
"Effective January 3rd, 1927, the Tudor Sedan will be equipped with black wire wheels as standard equipment at no extra cost."
http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/doc27.htm
FEB 11, 1927 Ford letter to branches and dealers
"Commencing Monday fourteenth (sic) all Ford Coupes delivered or shipped should be equipped with black wire wheels at no charge in billing price to dealer and effective Monday February twenty-first black wheels of this type will be considered standard equipment at no extra cost to customer, same as Tudor and Fordor."
Respectfully submitted,
Hap l9l5 cut off