MTFCA Forum

Hi all.
I've been lurking here for a while now, reading and learning.
I inherited a '25 Touring car back in 1999 when my dad passed away. He had bought it as a retirement project, then burned out on it before he even retired, leaving it driveable, but only partially assembled. All the parts are there, I just need to figure out where they all go!
Anyway, My dad's birthday was in 1925, the same as his car, so I intend to have it painted, assembled and go for a drive on my dad's 100th birthday next October.
I'll probably be checking in for advice once in awhile over the next year or so.
Wish me luck!

You’ve come to the right place, heck you’ll be treated so many different ways you’re sure to like one. Congrats on making the goal a priority, you’ll probably have another T sooner than you think. Nice looking 1926 Touring those sweet running T’s. Best John

Looks like a 1926. They came out the fall of the year so it might have been a very early one. Looks like almost all there except the reflectors and lenses for the head lights and upholstery and top. Hopefully the fuel system has been drained because old gas turns to varnish. So everything from the tank Sediment bowl fuel line and carburetor needs to be checked out and cleaned if necessary. Also need some oil in the cylinders. I would put about one teaspoon of oil in each cylinder and crank it over a few times to get the oil in the rings and cylinders. Anyway, have fun.
Norm

Best to explain why the others are saying 26 model, Ford worked close to fiscal years for model release, your dad called it a 25 because yours would have been built in 1925, the head lights mounted on the fenders was on the first of the 1926 model year.

The curved bottom edge of the windshield tells the story. '26, and early '26 at that due to not having the cross-bar from fender to fender at the headlamps. My Fordor was inadvertently titled a '25 for similar reason but I took it to the BMV inspector with documents to show it shoulda been retitled a '26. It doesn't have the crossbar either and is a very very early '26. Got it approved with no problem and didn't cost anything for that either!

If you want to see what I did with my 1926 you can take a look at

https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9508

I've tried to document everything we did to the car.

Have fun, try not to get frustrated and ask lots of questions.

Welcome to the world of crazy car guys, Bert. You'll find a lot of help on the forum and I suspect there are a few fellows that live close enough to you that would be glad to offer advice and help. If you check the MTFCA website you'll see there are some chapters around Phoenix who could point you in the right direction. Good luck with your project!

Bert,

Looking at some of well-meaning posts above I was thinking that the year of manufacture may be confusing.

Given it's likely a 1926 Model Year, and if it interests you, we can probably do better than just the year. On the top of the RHS chassis rail close to the passengers footwell there may be a serial number. If you were to find and post that here it's likely we could give you a month and closeby day the vehicle was manufactured.

If you post the engine serial number we'll be able to do the same thing, no guarantee it's the original motor of course but it may be of some use.

All the best with your endeavours, it's a laudable goal you have.

Luke.

DarkLeftArm wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 03, 2024 11:36 pm

Hi all.
I've been lurking here for a while now, reading and learning.
I inherited a '25 Touring car back in 1999 when my dad passed away. He had bought it as a retirement project, then burned out on it before he even retired, leaving it driveable, but only partially assembled. All the parts are there, I just need to figure out where they all go!
Anyway, My dad's birthday was in 1925, the same as his car, so I intend to have it painted, assembled and go for a drive on my dad's 100th birthday next October.
I'll probably be checking in for advice once in awhile over the next year or so.
Wish me luck!20240403_194724.jpg

Regardless of what
-the engine serial number is (not to be used to date the car https://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/sernos.htm)
-the body parts identify to
-the chassis number indicates
-what the title indicates
-the options it has
It will always be your Dad's 1925 Touring

It will always be your Dad's 1925 Touring

And so it should be

Welcome to the hobby and trust you enjoy getting out and driving as well.

All the best,

Thanks for all the support, fellas. Makes me feel very welcome!
Yes, I'm aware that I have a '26 model, but it was first registered in 1925, so its Arizona title says it's a '25.
Like I said, my dad worked on it quite a bit, so he's the one who put on the wire wheels, the wooden ones are still here, albeit a little creaky.
He also had the radiator shell nickel plated, along with the headlight rims and reflectors. He replaced the fuel tank, as the original was rusted out.
I have brand new seat springs, upholstery sets, and a brand new top for it. Also, several boxes of bits and bobs. He bought all this stuff and then never got around to it. For 25 years now, I've considered it a full sized model car just waiting to be put together.
It was probably 5 years after he died that I attempted to turn over the engine, and found that it was locked. It was stored with antifreeze in the cooling system, and I assume there's maybe a weeping head gasket. Anyway, after draining the coolant, I took out the plugs and added marvel mystery oil to the cylinders. Within a few days, it freed up easily. Ever since then, I've left the plugs finger tight, and about annually, I give each hole a squirt of motor oil, and then turn over the engine a few times, and it always feels good. Hopefully there's not enough damage to the combustion chambers to cause smoking or compression loss.
He bought it in about 1984 from a guy that he worked with, who found it out in the desert with a fair sized tree growing up through the floor. I guess they had to cut down the tree to move it. That guy had already done a fair amount of work, having the engine overhauled, he said, and getting it running. I have great memories of helping my old man get it home, and helping him work on it. Also fun memories of Daddy teaching me how to drive it. I very nearly crashed it on my first attempt, as I'm a professional truck driver, and my clutch foot simply would NOT release the pressure on the pedal on the left, while approaching a stop sign at a busy intersection!
Luckily the brakes worked well enough to stall it. Whew.
Anyway, sorry for the ramble down memory lane. Although, I suppose that's what these flivvers are all about.
I feel like I've found the right place here, and once again, thank you all.

Howdy Bert, … Loved the history and provenance of your family’s acquisition of your touring ! Do you know my Model T friend Don Vagaske there in Tucson? Hes real friendly and might be helpful. Anyway, welcome to the crazy fun of these wonderful old cars. Questions ??
Ask away !!

George House wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 04, 2024 4:51 pm

Howdy Bert, … Loved the history and provenance of your family’s acquisition of your touring ! Do you know my Model T friend Don Vagaske there in Tucson? Hes real friendly and might be helpful. Anyway, welcome to the crazy fun of these wonderful old cars. Questions ??
Ask away !!

I do not know your friend Don, but I do recognize the club I saw affiliated with the name, "Touring Ts of Tucson". I think my dad might have even been a member back then. It looks like Don lives in Far East Tucson, while I live way out West by Old Tucson Studios.

I also remember a name of one of his friends and supplier of many of the parts he bought, named Arliss Lewis. He owned the last official Studebaker dealership. That guy had forgotten more about old cars than I'll ever hope to know. I would imagine your friend Don remembers him well.

Cheers!