1917 Coupelet Restoration

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Topic author
Russ_Furstnow
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

Post by Russ_Furstnow » Mon Dec 05, 2022 11:57 am

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.
Attachments
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Last edited by Russ_Furstnow on Mon Dec 05, 2022 7:13 pm, edited 2 times in total.


Topic author
Russ_Furstnow
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

Post by Russ_Furstnow » Mon Dec 05, 2022 12:00 pm

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.)
Attachments
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Topic author
Russ_Furstnow
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

Post by Russ_Furstnow » Mon Dec 05, 2022 12:03 pm

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

Re: 1917 Coupelet Restoration

Post by Erik Johnson » Mon Dec 05, 2022 3:24 pm

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.


Topic author
Russ_Furstnow
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

Post by Russ_Furstnow » Mon Dec 05, 2022 6:08 pm

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


Art Ebeling
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

Post by Art Ebeling » Mon Dec 05, 2022 6:37 pm

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


Topic author
Russ_Furstnow
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

Post by Russ_Furstnow » Mon Dec 05, 2022 7:11 pm

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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Wayne Sheldon
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

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Tue Dec 06, 2022 3:39 am

I look forward to progress updates on this fine automobile! It couldn't have a better caretaker than you.


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: 1917 Coupelet Restoration

Post by Original Smith » Tue Dec 06, 2022 12:42 pm

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?


KimDobbins
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

Post by KimDobbins » Tue Dec 06, 2022 12:47 pm

Russ, these are the body numbers on my newly acquired coupelet.
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