Roadster differences 1915-1917

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
warren713
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2019 1:07 pm
First Name: melvyn
Last Name: smith
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Touring, 1918 Touring
Location: Farmville, Va

Roadster differences 1915-1917

Post by warren713 » Fri Oct 09, 2020 1:22 pm

Just starting a roadster restore which supposedly is a 1915; however, motor is a 1917 - bodies appear similar, is there a difference in the body? Satisfied either way but trying to order top and vendors list different styles for these years


Erik Johnson
Posts: 850
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:25 pm
First Name: Erik
Last Name: Johnson
Location: Minneapolis, MN

Re: Roadster differences 1915-1917

Post by Erik Johnson » Fri Oct 09, 2020 2:21 pm

I have an unrestored 1917 roadster with a known history.

They're basically the same. However, there are some differences and if you posted pictures, we could tell you what you have.

For example, 1915 Fords have low armrests.

Early in the 1917 model year, a notch was put in the cowl above the coil box to accommodate easy removal of the radiator rod, which is mounted higher than the brass radiator rod.

1917 uses the same top irons as 1915-16. The difference is the rear curtain of the top. Very early 1917's had the tombstone window like 1915-16. Otherwise, it is three rectangular windows.

The body should have a tag or stamping in the wood (depending on the manufacturer) with a serial number and a date. This will tell if your body is a 1915, 16 or 17. For 1915, the tag or tag or stamp is typically on the seat frame, forward of the gas tank. For 1916, it may be on the seat frame or on the floor riser.

For 1917, the tag or stamp is typically on the passenger side floor riser, although I recently saw a very early 1917 (body dated July 1916) with the body numbers on the seat frame.
Last edited by Erik Johnson on Sat Oct 10, 2020 4:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar

Rich Eagle
Posts: 6789
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:51 am
First Name: Richard
Last Name: Eagle
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 TR 1914 TR 1915 Rd 1920 Spdstr 1922 Coupe 1925 Tudor
Location: Idaho Falls, ID
MTFCA Number: 1219
Contact:

Re: Roadster differences 1915-1917

Post by Rich Eagle » Fri Oct 09, 2020 2:24 pm

The first 3 photos show the cowl differences I think.
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/29/23821.html
When did I do that?


FordFool
Posts: 168
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2019 4:49 pm
First Name: Don
Last Name: Kirtley
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 and 16 touring, 18 and 20 coup, 20 tudor
Location: Devore, CA
MTFCA Number: 23703
MTFCI Number: 23153
Board Member Since: 2009

Re: Roadster differences 1915-1917

Post by FordFool » Fri Oct 09, 2020 2:37 pm

Fenders and splash aprons?? Hood former. A lot of different features between a 15 And 17


Topic author
warren713
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2019 1:07 pm
First Name: melvyn
Last Name: smith
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Touring, 1918 Touring
Location: Farmville, Va

Re: Roadster differences 1915-1917

Post by warren713 » Fri Oct 09, 2020 3:22 pm

Followed up on points in the discussion and found that I must have a 1917 with 15 fenders (definitely 15 fenders) - the notch described to be in the 1917 cowl is there!!!! (curses) and measured the height of the arm rest to that in my 1918 touring and they match (more curses) - no body id available - so sad conclusion although will make a delightful roadster and might dress it up with brass radiator, etc anyway - assume some of the purists in the group will hate me but only they will know the difference

Further note - can salvage brass and parts from my 1915 touring which is in such poor shape that I planned too make into a pickup anyway - since the touring has a 1915 motor, will save all parts so that vehicles can be restored to original by someone else in the future

Thanks to you all for the immediate and very useful attention

Mel


MWalker
Posts: 474
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:49 am
First Name: Mike
Last Name: Walker
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 Roadster Pickup
Location: NW Arkansas
MTFCA Number: 314
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: Roadster differences 1915-1917

Post by MWalker » Sat Oct 10, 2020 10:21 am

Melvyn -- I have a '15-16 cowl without the notch if you need one. I intended to take it to Chickasha to sell, but you know how that turned out.


NealW
Posts: 384
Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2019 6:20 pm
First Name: Neal
Last Name: Willford
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Touring, 1915 Runabout
Location: Kansas
MTFCA Number: 50256
Contact:

Re: Roadster differences 1915-1917

Post by NealW » Sat Oct 10, 2020 3:53 pm

According to McCalley's "From here to obscurity" book, the seat frame and door covering the gas tank were wood in 1915, possibly for the whole model year. They are wood on our 15 runabout, which is an early model year version.

User avatar

George House
Posts: 2270
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:25 pm
First Name: George
Last Name: House
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: ‘10 Maxwell AA, ‘11Hupp Model 20, Two 1914 Ford runabouts, 19 centerdoor, 25 C Cab,26 roadster
Location: Northern Caldwell County TX
MTFCA Number: 115
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Roadster differences 1915-1917

Post by George House » Sat Oct 10, 2020 4:33 pm

Does your-supposedly- 1917 runabout have 4 rivets holding the bottom windshield to the cowl lamp brackets ? I’ve seen that on an early unmolested ‘17 touring. The only way I would hate you 😜 would be if you Brass up the radiator and have 2 screws holding that lower windshield to the Cowl brackets. BTW, I have 2 nice ‘15-‘16 Cowl lamp brackets if you need ‘em.
I don’t know why I turned out this way. My parents were decent people 🤪


Erik Johnson
Posts: 850
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:25 pm
First Name: Erik
Last Name: Johnson
Location: Minneapolis, MN

Re: Roadster differences 1915-1917

Post by Erik Johnson » Sat Oct 10, 2020 4:44 pm

Although there are many clues and features that can be used to differentiate between a 1915, 1916 and 1917 roadster body,I would definitely locate the body serial number that includes the date (month and year).

If it has a metal serial number plate nailed on the seat frame or floor riser, you should already be aware of its location.

If it is stamped in the wood of the seat frame or on the wood floor riser, you may not be aware of it, especially if it is on the floor riser. Sometimes, they aren't deep and, for various reasons - wear or they are are filled with dirt or paint - you may just have never noticed them on the floor riser.

Note that the body date is not the build date of the car. It will just let you know when the body was built. For example, my dad's 1917 touring has a July 1917 serial number, but the body has a June 1917 date. My May 1917 unrestored roadster has an August 1916 date on the body tag. Why it sat so long, who knows? But it does have only a single row of buttons on the original upholstery so it sat a long time before it was actually installed on a car.


Original Smith
Posts: 3284
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:43 am
First Name: Larry
Last Name: Smith
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 Touring, 13 Roadster, 17 Coupelet, 25 Roadster P/U
Location: Lomita, California
MTFCA Number: 121
MTFCA Life Member: YES
MTFCI Number: 16310

Re: Roadster differences 1915-1917

Post by Original Smith » Sat Oct 10, 2020 8:36 pm

The half moon over the coil box lid is the first thing I check to see if a car is a true 1915. There are a whole lot of other things too. Here in So. California there are far more fake 1915's than real ones, so it's good to check.

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic