22 Roadster seat question

[DHort]

Should a 22 Roadster have a metal plate between the gas tank and the seat? The car we just bought does not have one. Or should we just replace it with a piece of plywood?

[CudaMan]

Earlier discussions on the subject:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/70 ... 1511644043

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/50 ... 1229654307

The discussion in the second link implies that 1922 was the last year for the factory supplied gas tank cover, at least on open cars.

[Hap_Tucker]

David,

I looked in the MTFCI Judging Guidelines 7th Edition and I did not see that part addressed.

I looked at: https://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/A-B.htm and Bruce has:


1921-1922
Generally similar to 1919 except as noted.

TOURING
A new body design with lower seats of much more comfortable design was announced on October 15, 1920, and is properly called a “1921” model. Rear quarter panel is now one piece instead of the two-piece design used since 1913. Upholstery tack strips were now inside the body panels, extending above them for the tacks. Metal cap on arm rests was now somewhat narrower. Top iron support post now came through the quarter panel instead of the “L” bracket used earlier. Instrument panel standard on all models, starter or not, in 1922. Oval gas tank was standard. The lid over the gas tank was discontinued.

RUNABOUT
Continued in the style of the 1920 cars until late 1922 (1923 models).
Note: The “1923” style open cars were introduced in September (Touring) and October (Runabout) of 1922. While these were “1923” models, Ford often referred to them as “1922” in the parts books.

If you have a rather complete original car, you can remove the seat cushion and look to see if there are any signs that it originally had a gas tank cover -- I.e. the back half of the hinge that would have been riveted to the seat frame.

See the posting at: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/179374/217340.html and the photo's of Orlando's orignal 1921 roadster that has a body made by Beaudette. While it had the later oval gas tank introduced on the touring cars in 1921 it still had the older style body with the wider arm rest and the metal cover over the gas tank. (What wider arm rest? Used starting in late 1916. See: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/138144.html and

CAUTION - CAUTION - CAUTION: The post by BINGWORLD in that posting has hidden links. Don't click on anything in the BINGWORLD posting.

But it also has some good information that leads me to believe a 1922 Roadster made by Beaudette would possibly have the metal gas tank cover.

Again look for signs on the body. And again -- if the body is original to your 1922 chassis.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off