I just finished removing my old top on my 1919-20 touring. On the back where the top is connected to the back of the rear seat I have a metal strip that covers up the seam. It is about 3/4 inch wide, and curved - not flat. Is that normal? Do others just use hidem welting? It looks like it should be there except that the previous owner used phillips screws.
Dave, according to Bruce McCalley's "Model T Ford The Car That Changed The World", page 263, this metal trim strip was apparently used from 1915 to 1920 open cars.
My 1922 touring had this on when I got it, but I diddn't use it when I put my top on; just used the the hidem welt that is supposedly correct for my year T.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Steve
Dave-
That metal trim is correct. I just found one for my 1919 touring, but it is not on the car yet.
Use slotted oval head screws.
Here is that runabout design of that piece:
There should not be this hide-em welt. Use the regular binding that would end just under the metal trim.
-Keith
Too bad nobody does a repop of this trim. I'd buy several. I'm still looking for one to add to my 19 to get it correct. Any body have any extras (touring or roadster)?
Restoration Supply sells a half-round aluminum molding that might work.
Phil
Dennis,
I have two that fit a roadster..I have a 1916 touring car and completed the restoration without the trim strip. Just could not find one for a touring. If you are interested PM me.
Bill
Dave,
I posted this very question several months ago and had excellent feedback on how to fabricate the metal strip. For the life of me I could not find the post in a search. hopefully the same gentlemen will respond again. I also have a 1920 touring that I recently installed a new top. I did in semi heated garage in MN spring so hence the wrinkles in such but since picture has evened out somewhat. Good luck w/ project.
A friend of mine who repairs boats said the trim strip on a Model T looks a lot like the aluminum strips they use on boats. Perhaps a boat shop or marina would have the material you need to make a trim strip. At least that would get you by until you find an original. Just a thought.
John, is this the thread you were looking for?
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/411944/430324.html?1395292739
Dave, here's the post.
430324.html (46.4 k) |
Thanks Mark, Yes,that's the one. Finally figured it out about the time you sent yours.
Thank you for all the information and pictures John. Does the Gimp binding go all the way to the end of the armrest? Seems strange to tack in a welting strip and then tack a binding strip on top of that.
The information from Cartouche really does not explain that or provide a picture or a diagram. I will see if there is more in the video as well.
Dave
Gimp welting with exposed black round head tacks only on these iron T's, later for the new body change to one man top, ('23) the gimp welting was replaced with Hidem welting, where no tacks show.
Two man top body, gimp with round tacks, fold under the gimp and tack at the end of a long run.
One man top body, Hidem, with small sq. metal tips covering the ends of the long run.
After years of frustration, not being able to find the correct binding or gimp as Dan calls it, I had some custom made. It is exactly as Ford made it. It is available from Langs and Snyders. Macs is not interested as they don't care about the details!