MTFCA Forum

Has anyone used a fiberglass 23-25 fiberglass body with T parts??? Windshield,firewall,dash , etc?? Just asking... Thanks !!!

Have only seen Fiberglas fenders on a stock T, esp. the rear on 26-27, as they bolt to holes you drill to fit to the stock holes on the rear deck.

Using fiberglass body parts, they are flimsy and without wood structure and steel frame or other methods must be used, plus they are made for street rod build, so nothing can fit to stock Model T chassis. Really not practical to use for a stock T build.

For the most part fiberglass T Roadster bodies are for hot rod use. They are a shell that the buyer finishes out to fit a later type frame and chassis set up. If your looking to build an authentic Model T using a fiberglass roadster body isn’t the way to go.

Hi Richard,
To help explain the answers you have got the fiberglass T bodies that are available "are" made for hot rods. Most have been changed to be more suitable for that application. I have one for a future hot rod project that is 3" wider & 8" longer ( to be more roomy ) Look at Speedway Motors they have the dimensions in the catalog. The starting price looks inviting but if you look at the price with the door hung and a turtle deck would be $3200+ shipping and that will not be cheep either. Mounting and upholstery will be a challenge as that will need to be very different than stock. I have seen a 27 roadster with fiberglass fenders once and a 23 roadster built with all fiberglass body & fenders with a pinto running gear that was neat but still a hot rod. One big drawback is working with fiberglass
Craig.

I have been looking for quite awhile for a metal body and oh yes, I know they are for hot rods. Most of the T guys in NC have used up the original sheet metal they have had.. I was just looking an answer as I know what they are...thanks..
I have been touring for over 50 years in my 15 wide gauge touring and 18 couplet and now building my wife a roadster pick up. We have started the body with building a Cleveland Hardware pick up bed replica using red oak and a 23 running gear that we have had in our family for over 50 years....

Can someone please tell me why I am not authorized to use this forum?
Richard Landes

rlandes wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 03, 2022 6:52 pm

....and now building my wife a roadster pick up.

Wow...I never thought of that idea to obtain another T....I think my wife needs a Depot Hack!

Finding a mostly complete Roadster body that’s rebuildable in the 17-25 T era may not be real easy to find any more. As you already know fenders, hood, firewall, running board shields aren’t the issue as it would be the body itself.
Howells sheet metal in Texas makes most of the body pieces for the Roadsters. You may not want to cobble a body together but there are lots of T’s out there that have been using reproduction sheet metal body parts with decent original metal for years. A purist would want a complete original car but for a nice fun car that’s pretty much original it wouldn’t make that much difference. And it doesn’t for lots of folks. Just remember that Ford used up to 5 body makers to build the bodies so you may have to refit the body pieces together if you decide to build a body from the correct era body parts.
Hope you find a decent good body out there. Good luck.

Thanks very much John,
We had looked at buying a wood kit or making the wood. A local T guy made in his cabinet shop all the wood for his 25 and has not upholstered it yet.. I haven't find anyone making the upper rear corners but everything else. I prefer 17-22 but would use 23-25 if needed. My wife said no to anything earlier as she is tired of brass polishing !! We're finishing the bed tomorrow and it looks great out of red oak using the Cleveland Hardware Co. plans. These plans are excellent, even down to hole sizes for the hardware. The plans call for 7/8 thick wood and it looks very good. The Cleveland Hardware book is not in print yet as Steve Lang said his mom was working on it before she passed.. We can come close without the hardware dimensions as Lang's has the latch kit which looks to be the same as the Cleveland body..If we don't find any body stuff shortly, will probably use a 11 torpedo seat box, top, etc. and make the rest until we can find one.. any leads are appreciated..
Best regards,
Richard.