Here is a touchy topic for discussion;
Since finishing restoration and then taking my new "pride and joy" out on tours, it, and I, have been ridiculed by some in our local Clubs for bring a "piece of $#!%" or a "Faux Eleven", or a "Hodgepodge" or a "Disneyland car" to the event. The kicker was when a long time and respected Model T-er said that my "T" is "bad for the Club".
I have to admit that, after putting so much effort into it, I didn't expect this type scrutiny. So, I thought that a discussion here about "what makes a Model T worthy" might help me answer these attacks and maybe help guide others who have experienced similar criticism.
I will start by explaining that in my case, this "1911 Ford Touring Car", as I refer to it, was originally assembled from parts in the mid 1990s by an elderly gentleman in the Long Beach Model T Club and then, upon his demise soon after, just left to sit. For the next 25 years it remained abandoned, uncovered, half in the California sun and full of cats until his widow finally let it go to me. The project was definitely a "rescue" by that point.
On the positive side, this castaway has always been registered here in California as a 1911. And, best those around here can determine, it has a Ford made 1911 frame, front axle, wheels (although natural), windshield frame, steering column, top bows, and body brackets.
However, it has a 26-27 engine modified w/ 1911 peddles, a 1915 rear end w/ Ruckstell, Temecula Rocky Mountain Breaks, a 1911 Ray Wells Body, Rootlieb fenders - splash guards - running boards - and aluminum hood ...all correct matches for 1911, a 1911 correct Brass Works radiator, 1913 coil box and ignition switch, a properly stained and varnished cherrywood reproduction firewall, and of course an electric starter.
In an attempt to respect originality, the car now has beautiful 1911 Ford Midnight Blue Centari single stage paint with correct Ford French Gray pin striping, high quality diamond tuff leather upholstery (although matte finish) with 190+ correct buttons, new correct colonial texture vinyl top with Russ's 1911 reproduction straps and roll-up rear flap. An original 1911 Stewart Speedometer setup and a period correct brass clock installed on the firewall along with an original 1911 California registration medallion. A sea grass floor mat was custom cut to fit over the rear floor boards and a reproduction 1911 leather license plate has been ordered.
A huge amount of time, skill (mine and others), and approximately $20k (incl. car) were dedicated to this project. And throughout this "so called" restoration I learned a great deal about the 1911 Ford Touring, the art of disassembly and re-assembly, automotive painting, wood finishing, and Model T part sourcing. This particular level and scope fit my modest budget and the 18 month endeavor brought me closer to many who share this wonderful hobby, especially those owning 1911 Tourings.
Still, with all this said, the delicate but very real question remains; ... Is a car put together like this in the Model T Ford Club of America welcome at our events and/or is it even "worthy of being called a 1911 Model T Ford?"
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Ray Wells body? I'd like a census made as to how many out there ALSO are a Well's body! There's one for sale right now from a very respected vendor with a Ray Wells body. Should he be drug through the mud and under the bus for that? NO. If it weren't for guys like Ray and Tom Rootlieb better than half these cars either wouldn't be on the road or would be running around without fenders!! Enjoy the car, and BTW, find yourself a new club! Yours sucks.
