Here's the original thread when I bought that car - viewtopic.php?t=32742
... and here's a picture of it with a skeleton cable-tied to the front for Halloween...
I learned a good amount about Model T ownership in the two years I had that car, including that I really liked them (and would one day own another), and that it would be definitely be more cost-and-time-effective to just buy someone else's decent restoration. I also learned that decaying wood bodies and otherwise-decent wood wheels don't do great in the desert, where I live.
I have a neighbor down the road who owns a beautiful 1909 EMF. Whilst walking his dog past my house a few weeks ago he stopped to mention a Model T that an elderly friend of his was selling. He said his friend was a very meticulous machinist who had a collection of Franklins and Marmons, and the T mostly sat in the corner of his shop. My ears pricked up when he mentioned the spec - a 1914 Touring with Ruckstell, RMBs and wire wheels - kinda my dream setup. He sent me one photo and it looked excellent, so I wired the owner the money. I've done this before and had it backfire spectacularly, but my neighbor has been in the antique car world his entire life so I trusted his judgement. Regardless, the whole thing still made me extremely nervous.
Last weekend I was able to pick up the car from its home near Yosemite and I'm happy to say it's as nice as I could have hoped. The quality of the bodywork is absolutely beautiful, and unlike my previous car, the everything is solid and the doors stay shut, on fully-functioning latches, without the assistance of baling wire. The one let-down was the electrical, which was a rat's nest of crimps and scotchloks, but I'm pretty good with that stuff so this morning I tore it all out and cleaned it up, including the addition of a small hidden fuse box to protect it all. I also gave the brass a cursory polish. Now I have a Model T sat in the garage that is so beautiful that I have to go out and look at it every hour or so. I'm really happy.
My reason for posting this, other than to say hello again, is that In addition to the RMBs, Ruckstell and wires, there is some other aftermarket equipment on it which I'm unfamiliar with, and I was hoping someone here might be able to explain some of the decisions the builder made. I believe the guy I bought it from had owned it since around 2020/2021, but the car was restored before that.
The car has a 1923 engine with a Model A intake and exhaust and an HCCA enamel badge on the firewall. I believe it has been configured with the intention of touring. What's the deal with the Model A intake? I've never seen this used on a Model T. Assuming more power?
The engine is on a distributor. I don't love the look, and it's not doing a very nice job of firing when it should. I've worked on distributors on lots of cars but I have no desire to troubleshoot this one, so I've ordered an E-Timer from Mike Kossor. I had one of these on my old car and the thing just ran flawlessly the whole time. My dream would be to put this car on perfectly calibrated coils and its original timer, but I also just want to jump in it with my wife and boy and just have it work. The E-Timer on my previous car was truly set-and-forget, so I'm doing it again.
There's a Volvo overdrive unit on the prop shaft. I kinda don't love this either but it's hidden and some searching on here seems to be this, combined with the Ruckstell, is a great setup for touring. I haven't tried it out yet.
The wire wheels have a buffalo graphic on the hubs. Can anyone tell me who they are made by?
The builder went with electric fan. Again, not really keen on the aesthetic and I'm prepared to change it to mechanical if there's any benefit. I'm aware the mechanical ones can fail and sling blades through the expensive brass radiator.
That's about it. Still cannot believe this gorgeous beast is mine and I cannot wait to get it on the road!
