Researching my 1923 TT

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: Researching my 1923 TT
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Fish on Wednesday, January 01, 2014 - 03:19 pm:

My dad and I purchased a 1923 Model TT truck when I was 15 from the son of the original owner who was a German immigrant in 1886. We moved it to my grandfather's farm where it sat another 44 years. I had to move it (and others) the beginning of December so I got this crazy idea to see how little it would take to get it running again. A friend of mine made a small wager (either way the local food bank was going to get $25) that I couldn't get it running by Christmas. The engine was still loose but there were some parts missing. Amazingly, there was only one stuck valve. I rebuilt the coil box and replaced the wiring and plugs, replaced the oil, cleaned a huge rat's nest out of the radiator, replaced the carburetor (could get a rebuild faster than the parts to fix the original) and replaced the exhaust manifold so I could hook up a pipe and muffler. Fuel line had a hole in it so it was replaced but the tank actually still had a shine inside. And, of course, tires and one wheel. The only work internal was removing the head and cleaning the extensive carbon buildup in the head and piston tops. Original radiator had no leaks! Choked twice and it started! Runs and starts great on the original magneto! 90 year old truck that hadn't run in over 65 years! That was two weeks after I dragged it from the barn. A week later for the first time in years, it moved under its own power still using the old transmission bands (which I have subsequently replaced). Great fun but now it gets the full restoration. I have since researched the original owner and located the only surviving descendant who has sent me photos of the original owner (1889) and the son (1930s). I would love to find records of the truck itself so let me know if there are any ways to trace serial numbers, dealers,... The truck was located in Kyle, Texas so would probably have been purchased in Austin or San Antonio. Serial number 8413753. Thanks!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Henry Petrino in Modesto, CA on Wednesday, January 01, 2014 - 03:38 pm:

Engine 8413753 dates to September 19, 1923. I don't mean to discourage you, but outside of that you'll undoubtedly need some luck to actually find any records of that particular truck. What body does it have? You may have more luck looking for who made the body and if there are any records of that than the truck itself.

Hopefully someone else here will have more to offer. Good luck and keep us posted!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Thursday, January 02, 2014 - 12:26 am:

That date makes it a 1924 (the model year began August 1). T's made early in the model year, before January, are often mis-registered by the manufacture date. I expect it has a high radiator.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Thursday, January 02, 2014 - 07:20 am:

Andy,

Great work! A long shot may be checking with the State of Texas DMV to find any registration records. Those records may have been turned over to a state historical society or other state archive institution (or discarded).

Possibly a registration or ledger book may remain with the county seat where the truck was licensed/registered would be places to check. It's surprising the information that's out there, the hard part is finding it (and finding the right search criteria).

Good luck,

Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Fish on Thursday, January 02, 2014 - 03:12 pm:

Thanks for the great suggestions! I am trying to locate newspapers from the surrounding towns to find ads for the Ford dealerships. I have also contacted the Texas Automobile Dealers Association. The Texas DMV hasn't responded yet and the Hays County Tax Office phones don't seem to be working today. I did find a 90 year old woman who knew the family well and whose family owned the farm next door. She said the owner "sat on the second row at church next to the piano."


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Thursday, January 02, 2014 - 03:19 pm:

Andy,
Sound like your off to a great start. Please keep us posted as you find more,
Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Pat Kelly on Thursday, January 02, 2014 - 03:34 pm:

My wife bought this '47 Ford at an auction and used the name on the door to find the original owners son in North Dakota. He learned to drive in this old truck and the woman driving the tractor in the logo was his mother. He said thought it made her butt look big. google search and phone time paid off. Have fun! PK


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy Fish on Thursday, January 02, 2014 - 03:37 pm:

Update - Texas DMV is now only required to maintain records for 10 years. The County Tax Office had no information. Does anyone know if Ford has any shipping records such as which serial numbers went to which dealers?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Thursday, January 02, 2014 - 05:53 pm:

Model T records of any kind for specific vehicles end at January 1915. There are no Ford records that would say anything about your truck specifically.


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