1917 Coupelet Restoration
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Topic author - Posts: 310
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:01 am
- First Name: Russ
- Last Name: Furstnow
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 Touring, 1913 Touring, 1914 Runabout, 1915 Coupelet, 1916 Coupelet
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
- MTFCA Number: 28
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- MTFCI Number: 10546
1917 Coupelet Restoration
I've discussed this 1917 Coupelet before, and now it is time to begin its restoration. I purchased this car from Larry Smith, and he provided a complete original 1917 chassis with the car. This car is documented in Bruce McCalley's book "Model T Ford: The Car that changed the World" on pages 244-247. The story is that the car was owned by two "spinster sisters" who lived outside of Cleveland, OH. The car was updated with a starter at some point in its life and when I purchased the car, it had a 1926 engine and large drum Ruckstell rear end and outside brakes. The car has gone through numerous owners, each of whom made various changes/updates to the car.
Since the 1917 Coupelet was a unique and rare body style, I decided to take the car "back" to its original configuration...I felt this car deserved a "correct" restoration since it had been changed so many times by previous owners. The first thing I did was take the 1917 chassis to the Arizona DMV and get the car titled with 1917 numbers. Next I disassembled the chassis and took the engine to Jim Blair of Tucson for rebuilding. At the same time, I restored the transmission and replaced the field coil with a rewound unit. I also recharged the magnets on the flywheel. When I got the engine back from Jim Blair, I assembled the engine and now the engine assembly is ready to be installed in the chassis.
Next, I took the frame and riveted forged steel running board brackets to the frame rails. I also straightened the frame at this time. The frame was powder coated black and is ready for assembly. The fenders, splash shields and running boards, which appear to be original to the car, were removed and sandblasted. Body work on the sheet metal will begin soon. The wood felloe wheels were re-wooded by Stutzman's and all of the nickel plating has been accomplished, including the rare "high F" hubcaps. Finally, the steering column has been restored and ready to install.
The upholstery and top are in excellent condition and were redone while the car was in Washington state. The body will be removed soon and body work will commence. I'll make updates to the restoration as progress is made.
Since the 1917 Coupelet was a unique and rare body style, I decided to take the car "back" to its original configuration...I felt this car deserved a "correct" restoration since it had been changed so many times by previous owners. The first thing I did was take the 1917 chassis to the Arizona DMV and get the car titled with 1917 numbers. Next I disassembled the chassis and took the engine to Jim Blair of Tucson for rebuilding. At the same time, I restored the transmission and replaced the field coil with a rewound unit. I also recharged the magnets on the flywheel. When I got the engine back from Jim Blair, I assembled the engine and now the engine assembly is ready to be installed in the chassis.
Next, I took the frame and riveted forged steel running board brackets to the frame rails. I also straightened the frame at this time. The frame was powder coated black and is ready for assembly. The fenders, splash shields and running boards, which appear to be original to the car, were removed and sandblasted. Body work on the sheet metal will begin soon. The wood felloe wheels were re-wooded by Stutzman's and all of the nickel plating has been accomplished, including the rare "high F" hubcaps. Finally, the steering column has been restored and ready to install.
The upholstery and top are in excellent condition and were redone while the car was in Washington state. The body will be removed soon and body work will commence. I'll make updates to the restoration as progress is made.
Last edited by Russ_Furstnow on Mon Dec 05, 2022 7:13 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Topic author - Posts: 310
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:01 am
- First Name: Russ
- Last Name: Furstnow
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 Touring, 1913 Touring, 1914 Runabout, 1915 Coupelet, 1916 Coupelet
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
- MTFCA Number: 28
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- MTFCI Number: 10546
Re: 1917 Coupelet Restoration
Here are some photos of the restoration. The body number is 27722, and of the original 1917 Coupelets, is the lowest number known to exist. Also, the number "T-194" is stamped onto the passenger side sill just where the floorboard goes up (It is unknown what this number represents.)
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Topic author - Posts: 310
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:01 am
- First Name: Russ
- Last Name: Furstnow
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 Touring, 1913 Touring, 1914 Runabout, 1915 Coupelet, 1916 Coupelet
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
- MTFCA Number: 28
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- MTFCI Number: 10546
Re: 1917 Coupelet Restoration
From what I have been able to determine, only five or six of this style of 1917 Coupelets exist today, and only four have their original wood with body numbers. Note the unique gas tank cover.
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- Posts: 850
- Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:25 pm
- First Name: Erik
- Last Name: Johnson
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
Re: 1917 Coupelet Restoration
Years ago, I got permission the ropes at Harold Warp's Pioneer Village and examine and take photos of their 1917 coupelet.
You probably already have this information but, on the Warp car, 28850 is stamped on the seat riser and T1884 on the passenger side floor sill. I could not locate any dates stamped on the body wood but the car was pretty filthy with Nebraska prairie dust so, if there is a date stamped somewhere, I missed it.
You probably already have this information but, on the Warp car, 28850 is stamped on the seat riser and T1884 on the passenger side floor sill. I could not locate any dates stamped on the body wood but the car was pretty filthy with Nebraska prairie dust so, if there is a date stamped somewhere, I missed it.
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Topic author - Posts: 310
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:01 am
- First Name: Russ
- Last Name: Furstnow
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 Touring, 1913 Touring, 1914 Runabout, 1915 Coupelet, 1916 Coupelet
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
- MTFCA Number: 28
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- MTFCI Number: 10546
Re: 1917 Coupelet Restoration
Eric, I have seen the Coupelet at Warp's Museum. It also has a 1926 engine, but with that exception, is quite original. I would like to know what the T-194 means, but with the T-1884 Warp car number, maybe it is a sequential number of some sort. Thanks for the information. Russ Furstnow
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- Posts: 408
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:43 am
- First Name: Art
- Last Name: Ebeling
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 touring 14 runabout
- Location: Hillsboro IL
- MTFCA Number: 50718
Re: 1917 Coupelet Restoration
Russ, That is a real treasure. In the picture of it in the garage, what cover is on the touring car next to it? I like the way it goes all the way to the floor. Art
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Topic author - Posts: 310
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:01 am
- First Name: Russ
- Last Name: Furstnow
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 Touring, 1913 Touring, 1914 Runabout, 1915 Coupelet, 1916 Coupelet
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
- MTFCA Number: 28
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- MTFCI Number: 10546
Re: 1917 Coupelet Restoration
Art, That cover is on my 1909 Touring. I had it made by California Car Cover, and they will make a custom cover, using your specifications for any car. They make a super cover and are great to do business with. The photos shows what's under the cover. Russ
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- Posts: 3641
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:13 pm
- First Name: Wayne
- Last Name: Sheldon
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Runabout 1913 Speedster
- Location: Grass Valley California, USA
- Board Member Since: 2005
Re: 1917 Coupelet Restoration
I look forward to progress updates on this fine automobile! It couldn't have a better caretaker than you.
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- 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: 1917 Coupelet Restoration
I didn't think you would get started on this car so soon! Congratulations. Keep us updated. My feeling is that the two ladies simply took the 1917 to their Ford dealer, and had them switch bodies?
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- Posts: 1245
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:16 pm
- First Name: Kim
- Last Name: Dobbins
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 touring, 1910 touring, 1913 touring, 1916 couplet, 1924 truck.
- Location: Southern California
- MTFCA Number: 8243
Re: 1917 Coupelet Restoration
Russ, these are the body numbers on my newly acquired coupelet.