MTFCA Forum

We have had a 1924 touring car that has sat in the back of the garage for a few years. It wad originally purchased to be my first Model T. We looked at it and we did get it running but it had many issues and it needed a lot more work than what we were originally hoping for. Since then it is not done much other than sit in the back corner of the garage. We have since bought a few other model T's one being the car I drive now and the other a 24 fourdoor that was my great uncle's many years ago. Each time we bought another Model T we would threaten to sell the basket case, which is what the car has become known as. We already have two touring cars and this one makes three, so with all of the work needed, I've decided to try and make it into a roadster pickup. I've purchased a 24 roadster body needs work, but it is all there, and am hoping to start on this project within a month or two, but I first need to get our 25 touring wheels back together, among other things.
I have never 'restored' a car before, nor done any body work but I am hoping to learn a lot with this project I do not want to make it a 100% show car but more a low budget build with what I have available. More just to clean it up and piece together a pickup, build a wood bed and have fun with it.
I'd be interested on any information regarding building a roadster pickup, or wooden bed ideas, ect.
I would like to document my process here on the forum once I start. I figured this would be a good time to shoot ideas around and hear from people who have built roadster pickups, and general major model T work.
The car will need to be rewooded, upholstered, painted, and mechanicals looked at, just to give an idea what lies ahead of me.

Here is the car as of now, in the corner of the garage.

I recommend that you get the mechanicals working before starting on swapping the body.

Here are a couple of posts with details of really neatly-built period wooden pickup beds:

viewtopic.php?t=24732

https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/8 ... 1256271313

In my over 50 years in the model t hobby, I have found it is best to avoid major modifications and spend the time and money making a good reliable car as close to the way Henry made them. You look like you have a solid and rather complete touring. I would leave the touring as a touring, and if you really want a roadster pickup buy a decent roadster to start with. In any event, good luck with your project.

Get it out and get it running as well as you can, then you'll know what it needs.

Thanks guys.
My plan is to first get the car running. When we ran it a few years ago, it was mixing oil and antifreeze bad. I'm hoping that it is just a head gasket, but we'll see. If I can get the car to at least run and drive that would be great.

I'd get it outside , then I'd drain the oil pan into a clean container and leave the plug out, then add a pint of dish detergent to 4 gallons of water and refill the radiator. Examine the drained oil for evidence of water or coolant. Let the car sit overnight and see if water leaks out anywhere, or if water drips from the oil pan drain. If water drips from the pan, remove the spark plugs and look for evidence of moisture. If the engine has sat for a long time with a mix of water and antifreeze in the oil pan, you may have a lot of issues.