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An attractive body for the Ford ???

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2024 11:43 pm
by Luxford
Some time ago I found reference to a new body for a Model T which had become available in 1919. The "design" if thats what one would call it if nothing else is "different'. The Australian news paper the report was in was as always the case never mentioned any actual details only saying " There is now in business of disguising the Ford in the United States.
All the buyer has to do is to forward his "lizzzie" and it will be returned with a body so different that almost the closest observation will not reveal the fact that it is the same car.
Today I found the actual advert for the body. Has anyone ever seen an actual photo of one of the "Stratton" bodied Fords or know anything else about the venture? Seems it was one of many which came and went quickly.
A search brings up two modern Stratton motor car dealers one in Arizona and one in Norfolk UK but i don't think they have any link to the old T Ford body builder Stratton Motor Company in Chicago ILL in 1918.

Re: An attractive body for the Ford ???

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2024 12:43 am
by Norman Kling
It will still putt along and probably slower than before because of the extra weight. Might be OK on flat land but not in mountains.
Norm

Re: An attractive body for the Ford ???

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2024 5:15 am
by Luxford
Norm,
I don't think your reasoning is valid, Lots of outside manufacturers produced similar products for the Model T.
Longer wheel base chassis, with bodies often a lot more complicated and heavier than the Stratten which would possibly not weigh as much as a sedan version of a T.
This design looks to have weigh savings considered especially when you look at the roof and mudguards but it sure is "UGlY"
Not much point in offereing such a product unless it was thought someone would check it out and purchase it.
A much more superior body (which would have been much heavier but was also offered a few years later (1922) was the "Universal body" for the Ford.
Longer wheelbase, touring, roadster and Coupe, with lots of features such as bumpers, spare wheel, camper body.

Re: An attractive body for the Ford ???

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2024 11:19 am
by Daisy Mae
Well, the Stratton certainly must have been cheap to build, no stamp tooling required....
Looks like an 8th grade metal shop project made solely with a metal brake!

Re: An attractive body for the Ford ???

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2024 11:54 am
by John Codman
You wee supposed to pay them for that?

Re: An attractive body for the Ford ???

Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2024 1:06 am
by Luxford
Further investigations show the Stratton advert only appears to have been placed the once in the Fordowner April 1918 issue and no further mention anywhere else was ever seen ??
Having viewed the ad as John commented "You were supposed to pay them for that". Mr Stratton ( if he was the actual person asking for agents) no one would have been encouraged into action and maybe he should have avoided such a poor design to entice any customers as by 1918 very stylish designs were being offered for Model T's and all other vehicles.