MTFCA Forum

This one is way off. 1919 coupe with a polished radiator, wire wheels and green paint? Someone please get this guy a judging manual!

I bet that guy has just as much fun with that than you do with yours…maybe more. Being 100% correct is very cool, but it’s also cool to just be you and have fun.

Looks to me the Coupe is Model T era correct. I think the builder knew what he was doing since the wheels look like 26-27 wires. The radiator is a T radiator that’s been nickel plated.

I really dont think he was concerned about “judging guidelines” . I know I wasn’t when I restored my 3 T”s which are 95% correct. But they are black!! I do hope that’s OK!

I have seen more than one brass era car with wire wheels and different paint. I guess like the title says, to each his own!

I have no problem with it! It looks very good and exactly authentic year perfect original T parts are either very hard to find or in condition which is either very expensive or impossible to restore. If he wants to make it authentic, he could look for parts while he enjoys driving the car. Most people who see Model T's don't even know what they are anyway. Many times I have driven into a gas station and someone asks if it is a "46! If he wants to have the car judged for authenticity, he should not drive it anyway, because one scratch will lose points! Even oil under the crankcase or on the side of the block will lose points. Even if the mold marks are worn off the tires it would lose points.
The only problem I have with non authenticity is a Model T with a modern engine and transmission in it. I think that's going too far, but even a T with a different year T engine doesn't bother me.
Norm

Henry Ford’s every day car in the 1920’s was a 1920 T coupe. In 1926 Henry had his coupe updated with 1926 T wire wheels and rear axel. Henry Ford was ok with updating Ford cars with newer official Ford parts during the Model T era.

What good are judging guidelines in a local place where they put a "23" T bucket next an original T and say they are in the same class? If you desire to enter it into the judging at Hershey then you are right, but with the fresh paint Nickel Radiator shell and the Wire wheels it will probably do a lot better in a local show.

Mr. Matthiesen is onto something...

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 22, 2022 3:27 pm

If we're going to apply scripture in regard to Model T correctness,
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of Ford."

At least nearly all. A Model T that's "correct" in every detail is mighty rare. Most would not pass through the metaphorical eye of a needle.

My point exactly! As a Friend of mine always says, you spend a few dollars purchasing the car, many more in the restoration, hundreds in travel & lodging expenses to show it, and all the hours in doing that and for what? - a $10 trophy.
And he knows better (just half of them)

I can only imagine that a guy who took his newly restored T to a show that requires it to meet the so called judging guidelines would have a rude awakening if the perfectionist’s attending started kicking his tires and start running it down because his 25 Touring was painted the wrong shade of black.

I don’t think he would be back.

John, there is no reason to go to the effort of showing your car at a car show to be insulted.

Much easier to post a picture here and be insulted without so much as having to give it a crank...

My Coupe has more of its original paint than most restored ones. I still try to respect other owner's decisions and choices regardless of what they have done. Not everyone needs to do things the right way. I get nice compliments at the shows.
Rich

Tadpole, Here is a picture of my ‘25 Coupe with the wrong year paint color, wire wheels with white wall tires, chrome plated radiator surround and chrome headlight rims. With Ruckstell and Rocky Mountain brakes by far the smoothest best running T I have ever owned. Incorrect yes but I am a happy camper. All done by the previous owner and I have no reason to change a thing. I did removed the ginormous motometer and replace with a Junior…

Okay, I’ve had my chuckle and now is time for the truth. The car I posted was Henry’s personal coupe, I yanked the photo from the museum.

I've been reading Ford bulletins and other publications that clearly show that Ford dealers sold wire wheels, paint jobs, assorted shiny stuff, floor mats, gypsy curtains, top boots, mirrors, dash lamps, bumpers, stop lights, and more for new 1920s Ford cars as well as for used ones. The Ford factories were not locked in to model years, and it appears that as changes were made over the years, existing stocks of parts were usually used up before revised parts began to go into cars. On top of that, assorted outside suppliers provided parts from time to time. Paint colors, chemistry, and methods of application varied a lot too.

Isn’t Henry’s coupe now at his place in Florida? I think I saw it there many years ago.

Tad,
I doff my hat to you, well done sir.
Craig.

Craig,
I appreciate that, I feel like I've really become a part of the forum now. Good people, lots of fun!

I guess Henry was really one of us! I think he would have liked it that we have kept his cars running for over 100 years. They outlived him.
Norm

You are a delightful part of the forum, Tad. We needed this thread. Henry Ford had a sense of humor and would have loved to be here too. Maybe he is.
Rich

It appears to me that Tad posted the bait to bring out the magpies and it worked.

Thanks, Scott. Now I can't get that term out of my head.

Goes to show there are Magpies on both sides of the fence!!!

What? Henry Ford had a sense of humor?

That was pretty neat Tad.

I kind of had a feeling about that, since the picture is in Greenfield Village.

Beautiful car!

Could this be the same Coupe before it was personalized? It appears all over the internet with the "Any color you want..." slogan. I believe that is a 1921 N.Y. plate on it. The personalized one could be a '21 also I believe. Does anyone know?
Rich
I am still chuckling, Tad.

P.S. OK, I answered my own question.
"1919 Ford Model T Coupe, Henry Ford's Personal Car"
"Henry Ford was particularly fond of this Model T -- so much so that he drove it for ten years. The car was rebuilt periodically with new parts, as when the engine and chassis were replaced in 1927. Special features include a "rain vision" green glass visor, gray-green striped velour upholstery, and a tool and luggage compartment in the rear deck."
I found some detail shots here:
https://www.thehenryford.org/collection ... act/257925