MTFCA Forum

The car in question is a 15 Roadster.

Can someone point out the differences between a 15 and 17 top frame? ( I have a sneaky suspicion that my 15 Roadster has a later frame on it?

New top time is coming and I’m pretty sure the top kit doesn’t care which frame come trim out time…

But, since this becoming a hand me down to the youngest son…if the top bow frame is 17…might as well look to make it right, and find a 15 frame set.

Pictures appreciated pointing out differences

George..... Mike at "Classtique" (sp ?) upholstery in Minnesota will guide you on measurements

I believe the 15-17 top sockets are the same. If memory serves me right they were oval cross section for 15-17 and square cross section 18-22.

I am not certain, however, I "think" the 1917 is the same as 1915.
The changeover to the "square" top sockets is more than a bit muddy. While some records indicate the change was made early in 1918, there were numerous examples of 1919s (certainly in touring cars, not so sure about runabouts?) being originally fitted with oval top sockets. Top sockets were supplied by a few different companies (like most model T part in those years!), and I suspect the different companies made the change in their production at different times.
As long as your 1915 gets oval sockets, and the lengths are close to right, and all the angles (backset, front-set, height) are set up correctly? You should be good.

The commonly shared drawing with dimensions for the runabout top can be found at this link;

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/11 ... 1263181825

I chose this one because the image is larger than most shared images.
The image is said to be for 1915 through 1922. There are some details missing for the earlier runabouts, however I believe the dimensions are all very close.

The top bows/sockets are the same for 1915 through 1917 model years. The sockets are oval.

The change to the square sockets occurred in the 1918 model year. My casual observation is that it occurred early in the model year.

The only difference between 1915 and 1917 tops is the rear curtain. 1915 and 1916 Fords have a "tombstone" light in the rear curtain. In 1917, the three window light became standard although I have seen a few period photos of early 1917 Fords with the tombstone light. If I recall correctly, Jim Sims has an early 1917 touring and the original top has the tombstone light in the rear curtain.

Thanks all,

Oval it needs to be!