MTFCA Forum

While I wouldn't consider myself a purist, I am very particular and when doing something on the Ts, I prefer it to be original unless I purposefully choose to do otherwise. I'm thinking I should purchase the MTFCI judging guidelines (I prefer the term restoration guidelines), but I'm not in on the inner workings of the MTFCI and don't want to do something dumb like buy the 7th edition when the 8th edition is near. Does anyone know how far out an 8th edition is? Am I safe if buying the 7th edition? I'd also like to hear people's thoughts on the book, as I've not had the opportunity to see one. I can only imagine it's wonderfully accurate and detailed if Russ and Larry are involved.

Lang's say 7th edition in the title, but 8th edition in the description. So, I guess I'm not really even sure what the current edition is. Maybe I should have said 8th and 9th editions in the first paragraph. The MTFCI site shows 7th in their store.

https://www.modeltford.com/item/JG1.aspx
https://model-t-ford-club-international ... th-edition

The guy responsible for putting the guidelines together and selling them for the MTFCI is a member of this forum. I texted him and he replied the 7th edition is current. Look up the profile of forum member Brian_d and send him a PM. If you buy from him the MTFCI gets the full benefit.

I am familiar with the MTFCI Judging Guidelines and I'm confident that the 7th Edition will remain in effect for some time. The main reason for the change from the 6th edition to the 7th edition was the addition of the Canadian Fords to the Guidelines. The Guidelines are an excellent resource that have been vetted by many Model T "experts", including the late Bruce McCalley. I hope this helps,
Russ Furstnow

Thanks, guys. I PMed Brian.

Judging Guidelines is a good ref. for the model year changes to various parts of the T.
Parts are indexed by #, so you can review changes each year by the category number. Canadian detail is provided too. And the back pages are copies of Gail Rodda's famous photos of parts identifying the usage year. Use mine and add notes to the margins when 'new' info comes available, esp. by posters to this forum, helps build a better ref.
JPG[/attachment]

Thanks, everyone. I ordered one from MTFCI.

They're good and a lot of effort has gone into them, but remember that they are "guidelines" and not gospel. Depending on the topic, much of it gets you close, but a lot of things give the impression they are model year changes where in fact they are running changes, so be sure and do your homework if you are particular. They aren't as detailed as something like the Model A Judging Standards if that is what you are expecting.

I use the guidelines often as a reference for a certain year. Russ put a lot of work into this book. What I didn't like was the binder was too thick, and I had to go buy a thinner one!

Occasional updates to the guidelines are published on the MTFCI website before they get incorporated into the next edition.

https://www.modelt.org/judging-guidelines-updates.html