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Touring model year ??
Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:33 am
by 70shovelhead
Was at a family reunion recently and saw this picture of my great grandfather and grandmother hanging in my cousins hall. Can anyone pin what year their touring was. I would be certain this car was purchased new from an Orlando FL. Ford dealer.
Re: Touring model year ??
Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:45 am
by MWalker
There's not a lot to go on here, but I'll say 1920-22. At first, I thought the fender was flat, not crowned, which would have meant it was 1915-16. But the body doesn't have the bead following the shape of the fender, so that would mean it's 1920 or newer. The 4-lug demountable-rim wheels came out in 1919 from Ford, but some were available earlier aftermarket. The car has the Ford-looking spare rim mount, so the wheels probably came with the car. Treaded black tires weren't common until after 1917. The two-man top was used through the '22 model year. Those are the clues I see; maybe someone else can narrow it down more.
Re: Touring model year ??
Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:50 am
by MWalker
And it looks like the body tub doesn't have the separate corner pieces, which would mean 1920 or later. The clipped-leaf rear spring would be 1918 or later.
Re: Touring model year ??
Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2019 2:29 pm
by TWrenn
If it were '20 or later wouldn't the fenders be crowned Mike? That verticle rear top panel sort of reminds me of my former '15.
Re: Touring model year ??
Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2019 2:33 pm
by TWrenn
Well I did just notice the demountables
.
But the rear fender sure looks flat on top. Mayne demountables were added later? Lord only knows.
Re: Touring model year ??
Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2019 2:41 pm
by TWrenn
Re-reading your first post Mike and looking at this pic a dozen times I think you were on the right track at first..I think its a '15 or '16
Re: Touring model year ??
Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2019 5:26 pm
by Rich Eagle
I'm leaning toward the '21-22 scenario. The top bow separators are the smaller type as shown at left in rectangular bows. Oval bows used a longer larger part. (right 1915) I don't see the vertical bead or the one following the fender in the top photo. The spare rim without tire suggests to me the car is new and as Ford sold them. A tire would most likely have been added soon. I doubt the addition of demountable rims on a pre '19.
Re: Touring model year ??
Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2019 5:40 pm
by Wayne Sheldon
My first glance. I instantly thought "an earlier five panel rear tub!" As I both looked the photo over and began reading comments suggesting a later body, I saw that what fooled me was a flaw, some sort of shadow on the picture. At closer look, the shadow goes down through the rear fender and onto the rear wheel, so clearly a flaw, or shadow caused by years on display.
Looking closely at the top rear of the seat, the few inches that can be seen confirm it is the later three panel tub as the upholstery is tacked even with the steel tub, not on an outer tack rail outside the tub.
Believe me, it is very often difficult to see the crown on these fenders in photos. Not at all unusual for a crowned fender to appear flat. I got one of the fenders for my '15 through eBad because the seller did not know what it was, the photos were lousy, and I discovered it minutes before the auction was to end. I studied all the photos (5 or 6 of them) for a couple minutes, then decided to take a chance and put in a low bid (someone else had already put in a low bid). I got it. Took a chance. Did not know until it arrived by UPS that I had indeed gotten a '15/'16 fender.
I really was taking a chance on that fender. I paid less than $20 for it, but it cost about $50 for shipping! I had a few common later rear fenders I didn't need already. $70 for a fender I did not need would have been unpleasant, but what I got was a bargain! All because the photos were at bad angles and no one knew what it was.