Are all of the body panels available to put a complete new Model T body together? I have researched and am coming up with "patch panels", etc..

I guess it would depend on the year. Rootlieb had this display at Chickasha

Great photo. Thanks for the tip :>) >

George,

At one time Rootlieb offered several different bodies complete with the new wood frame and panels attached. They may still have enough panels so someone could assemble their own body but you would need to contact them to confirm that.

They still make and offer a great speedster kit.

And around the 100th year centennial of the Ford Motor Company, there was a company in Sweeden that constructed the 1914 bodies for the 1914 tourings that Ford Motor Company constructed. The bodies made in Sweeden looked the same, but from memory, I believe the panels were joined in a different manner than back in the day. See: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/T-100.pdf

And of course the Craftsman who advertises in "The Vintage Ford" offers new bodies or will restore your body. But I don't know if he will sell panels to individuals or not. See: http://www.the-craftsman.biz/ Note others have offered restoration of bodies, but off the top of my head, I do not recall one that is currently doing that.

Note many of the major panels (complete side, seat frames, etc. for the Ts are available in addition to the patch panels). I believe most of those sheet metal parts are suplied by Howell's sheet metal but they may use others instead. See Lang's at: https://www.modeltford.com/item/S150CL.aspx which shows the left side of a touring 1915-22ish with the fake door.

Note at the cost of new panels -- it is usually more economical to find a repairable body that only needs a few panels rather than one that need all panels. Additionally some of the panels are NOT being reproduced.

Caution: The bodies varied a little bit from one body maker to the next. So you cannot just purchase a new or use panel and expect a perfect fit. It could happen but more likely will not. Ref: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/doc15.htm which has:

JUN 26, 1915 Factory Letter
"Hereafter when ordering body panels for 1915 cars, please give both the car and body numbers. The body number will be found on the right sill just inside the front door. This number will be preceded by a letter which indicates by whom the body was made.
"The above information is necessary as panels for bodies made by our various suppliers vary somewhat."

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off

I assume you're doing this from a pure curiosity standpoint? I mean, are you looking to actually do this or is this just a "I wonder if I could" kind of question?

I've never tried it, but I bet there are enough reproduction parts out there that you could. The question is whether or not they'll all fit together. If the side panels are patterned after a car built by Manufacturer X, the center panel after Manufacturer Y, and the wood frame after Manufacturer Z, there could be some minor (or possibly major, depending on the differences) modification necessary.

It is an interesting question, though.

Looking at options. I have done a great deal of metal fabrication over the years (stock cars, long travel sand rails, etc.). I could probably handle it, but whether it makes sense or not is another matter :>) .

FWIW. Even if it is an assemblage of miscellaneous parts from a hundred different cars. I would rather have a wrinkled original than a flawless copy.
But that is me.

Yeah, Wayne, you are a bit of a wrinkled character!!!!
I know, I should have resisted, but with an opening that wide, I just couldn't! Hope all is well up your way!
Building a body from 100% repro parts is an interesting idea, or project; if one has time on his/her hands--oh and $$$ to spend too. . .

Thank you. Thank you. I am here every Thor's day night. And Friday. And Saturday. And ----

i made a few new ones , but dont want to any more . gas pump skins & motorcycle horns pay a lot better. ha,ha. charley