what makes the roadster turtle deck latches for a 1915 different than those for a 1914? Langs list 13 & 14 latches but not 15.
I've never seen any difference between any of the latches from 1913-1916. They are cast or forged with a round cross section on the handle. The mounting plate had 3 holes for rivets. About 1917 the handle was stamped from a flat thick piece of metal; mounting plate was same as before. These were used to about 1923 when the new style turtle deck came out.
The handles were the same on runabouts from 1913 - 1918. The reproductions are brass, originals are cast iron.
Here's an original steel set I was using as patterns to cast up some in brass but once I got wind that they were already being made by someone else I dropped the project. Don't need two cooks in the kitchen. Bob
Just for comparison sake, here is a pic of the 1919 and later handle.
Thanks guys, I have borrowed an original turtle deck to copy. Exact year unknown but of the correct era. I have almost finished the sheet metal work, have adapted some hinges and am looking ahead at the latches. I reckon I could make them but just wondered why Lang's was listing latches for 1913, separate listing for 1914, no listing for 1915. I figured there had to be differences.
well, today i learned i've got 1919 latches on my '15 ... one more thing to add to the list ...
The retainer for the steel handle on my '13 is made of brass.
all the 13 handles I have had were shorter than the 14 &later ones. also the base was cast, then buy 15 they were stamped brass. that's all I know. charley
i also have some cast ones that are shorter, and not on square 13 decks
Like Larry above, the retainer encompassing the 3 rivets is stamped brass on my '14 runabout. I shine it.
I have not done a study of latches, but I would think that the type of latch would depend on who the body maker was. I don't think Ford specified a certain design of turtle deck latch or door latch. We know there were different door latches on cars through the years.
Obviously there was some "evolution" of latches as evident from pictures posted above. I have seen all of the above pictures type, including a flat stamped handle similar to the design that Dave Wells posted.
: ^ )
When I was at The Old Car Festival, I spent a lot of time studying details on various year Runabouts to determine how correct my car was. I noted that all cars through 1918 had the round, forged handles and all 1919 and later had the flat, stamped ones. This agrees with the above posting from Royce.
I have not seen one like Dave Wells' picture. The flat stamped ones I have seen have sharp edges, not rounded ones as in that pic. I wondered whether someone had rounded those, but as Keith said, maybe it was a difference between body makers. I'll try to remember to get a pic of a sharp-edged one today at my shop.
Mike,
I agree. My 19 NOS turtle has stamped levers with sharp edges.
Here is another view of my 1919 handle. It's probably sharper edged than it looks but has lots of paint on it. They are made of steel.
I finally remembered to take a camera to the shop and get a pic. All of the stamped ones I've seen are like this, except the one pictured above.
This is a '19 or later turtle for sure, since it has the notch for the battery. The escutcheon appears to be steel.
Interesting. I've got a extra couple of sets of the ones like Dave Wells pictures. I've seen some like Mike's picture too. Maybe more than one supplier, like most things at Ford.