MTFCA Forum

Does anyone go back far enough to know which company was the first to modify the VW Distributor for Model T use, and sell a kit with directions to install it?

There are at least two companies that sold them over 30 years ago!

Two come to mind that are easily over 30 years old. 1st was a unit sold by JC Whitney that was made in Argentina, and the 2nd one was offered by Bill Rader/ Vintage Authentic Reproductions.

I bought my first one from Bill Rader/Vintage Authentic Reproductions when I was about 15 years old at the great Long Beach Model T Swap Meet. That would be 43 years ago!!!!!
Good memories.....

I'm with Dan on this one. JC Whitney was THE source for Model T parts, most made in Argentina. Before you get nostalgic and make the remark "they don't make things like they use to " be happy they don't. I remember having to make all those parts work, nothing came ready to use! JMHO

Guy, Bill was supplying R. G. Reeder with the VW Distributors until he ran out of them.

I thought he had a VW junk yard, but I didn't know him or whether he was rebuilding them.

I did not know J. C. Whitney was selling new ones, so the company in the other side of their warehouse probably had them too.

I had one on my 1926 touring back in the mid 70's made by W.L.Kirk from So.Cal

The Distributors Made in China with the vacuum advance disabled or missing are only available to replace the VW distributors that turn counterclockwise with no advance that replace the newer systems that do not need a toggle arrangement of the advance rod.

The VW Distributors Made in China are available with a vacuum advance are available and perhaps easily modified for no advance.

Which kind is which can be identified by a small oval hole for the vacuum advance that has one small scrrew above to hold it in place.

I bought two of the made in Argentina distributors in the late 60's. From a vintage parts dealer in Rosemead, Calif. They were $25 each ! They had an auto advance that I removed and made it manual. I am still running one of them. It's been trouble free all those years. The distributor head is an exact copy of the Autolite distributor (IAD-400) used on mid-fifties Jeeps. I get caps, rotor, points, condenser at my local Napa dealer.