MTFCA Forum

Interesting then-and-now contrast in the 2 photos. I have an early ‘26 roadster without a headlamp bar, a black sheetmetal radiator shell and nickeled headlamp rims. The top photo appears to be somewhat high in the front although it has correct spindles…..Thanks Tom for this morning’s entertainment.

1927, with wood wheels and 30 x 3-1/2 tires. Not unheard of but interesting just the same.

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 16, 2025 9:14 am

1927, with wood wheels and 30 x 3-1/2 tires. Not unheard of but interesting just the same.

I was thinking it was a '26. (I have a '26 just like it, but with wire wheels) Teach me something here.....what are the differences in the '26 & '27?

CatGuy wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 16, 2025 10:38 am

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 16, 2025 9:14 am

1927, with wood wheels and 30 x 3-1/2 tires. Not unheard of but interesting just the same.

I was thinking it was a '26. (I have a '26 just like it, but with wire wheels) Teach me something here.....what are the differences in the '26 & '27?

I was going simply by the "brand new" look of the car and its 1927 license plate. Also, the nickel radiator shell, ('26 open cars tended to have black shells). In '26, wire wheels were optional and 21" wood wheels were standard. In '27 it was the other way around. A few owners, however, chose to have the 30 X 3-1/2 clincher tires/wheels. These were mainly fleet owners who had a ready supply of 30 x 3-1/2" tires in their service areas and did not want to stock a new, different size tire.

That being said, I could still be wrong...

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 16, 2025 11:50 am

CatGuy wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 16, 2025 10:38 am

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 16, 2025 9:14 am

1927, with wood wheels and 30 x 3-1/2 tires. Not unheard of but interesting just the same.

I was thinking it was a '26. (I have a '26 just like it, but with wire wheels) Teach me something here.....what are the differences in the '26 & '27?

I was going simply by the "brand new" look of the car and its 1927 license plate. In '26, wire wheels were optional and 21" wood wheels were standard. In '27 it was the other way around. A few owners, however, chose to have the 30 X 3-1/2 clincher tires/wheels. These were mainly fleet owners who had a ready supply of 30 x 3-1/2" tires in their service areas and did not want to stock a new, different size tire.

Oh, I hadn't looked at the plate. Still, it does make me curious about how to tell the two apart. I've always wondered if I actually have a '27.

The car is a 1927 with the head lights mounted on the fender tie bar plus it has 1927 license plate. Those wheels are the 21 inch by 4:50 split rims , notice the straight side rim on the right front wheel.

kmatt2 wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 16, 2025 12:31 pm

Those wheels are the 21 inch by 4:50 split rims , notice the straight side rim on the right front wheel.

Maybe you're right. Pretty hard for me to see in that image.

remember, new plates were issued with the same number, every year.

up until the 60/70"s in some states.

I am pretty sure these are 21 inch straight side split rims.
The cross section shape would come closest to the balloon tire rims because the earlier 30 x 3.5 inch would have a cross section that curves toward the tire.

It might be the angle of the photo or snow on the core, but that radiator looks to have the cooling fins removed.