An open letter to Jonah D'Avella
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Topic author - Posts: 1629
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:46 am
- First Name: Dennis
- Last Name: Seth
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922 Coupe 1927 Touring
- Location: Jefferson Ohio
An open letter to Jonah D'Avella
Greetings Jonah,
Welcome to the wonderful world of Model T's.
I have read the many posts you have written since you purchased your 1926 Touring and your excitement and enthusiasm is wonderful and I wish you all the best with your restoration project but let me offer some unsolicited advice. I see you looking at all the parts available in the classified section and many accessories that can be added to your car and that you are going to attend your first swap meet. I would suggest that you take a deep breath, step back for a second and revisit what your '26 Touring needs to get it running safely. Learn what the correct parts are for a '26, then select the items you wish to purchase. Once you get it running then you can enjoy the experience of learning to drive it and then start to add the accessories you like.
Take lots of pictures before, during, and after restoration. They are a great way to show how hard you worked to make the car run and a great reminder of everything you did. Pictures are also a great resource for showing how the piece goes back together once you have it apart.
For your first swap meet make a list of the items you need for your car and carry it with you, take a wagon or heavy duty canvas bag to carry your purchases in and be sure to have a water bottle.
Best of luck and I hope we meet someday
Denny
Welcome to the wonderful world of Model T's.
I have read the many posts you have written since you purchased your 1926 Touring and your excitement and enthusiasm is wonderful and I wish you all the best with your restoration project but let me offer some unsolicited advice. I see you looking at all the parts available in the classified section and many accessories that can be added to your car and that you are going to attend your first swap meet. I would suggest that you take a deep breath, step back for a second and revisit what your '26 Touring needs to get it running safely. Learn what the correct parts are for a '26, then select the items you wish to purchase. Once you get it running then you can enjoy the experience of learning to drive it and then start to add the accessories you like.
Take lots of pictures before, during, and after restoration. They are a great way to show how hard you worked to make the car run and a great reminder of everything you did. Pictures are also a great resource for showing how the piece goes back together once you have it apart.
For your first swap meet make a list of the items you need for your car and carry it with you, take a wagon or heavy duty canvas bag to carry your purchases in and be sure to have a water bottle.
Best of luck and I hope we meet someday
Denny
1922 Coupe & 1927 Touring
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- Posts: 700
- Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2020 8:00 am
- First Name: Jonah
- Last Name: D'Avella
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Touring
- Location: Kingsport TN
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: An open letter to Jonah D'Avella
Thank you for the advice!
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Re: An open letter to Jonah D'Avella
I could not agree more Denny!
Young man.., buy books too in order to get educated on the operations of items in the era. Set priorities.
We have all been young with spunk!
All the Best,
Hank
Young man.., buy books too in order to get educated on the operations of items in the era. Set priorities.
We have all been young with spunk!
All the Best,
Hank
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- Posts: 5018
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:31 pm
- First Name: Dan
- Last Name: Hatch
- Location: Alabama
Re: An open letter to Jonah D'Avella
Best advice I have seen on the forum. Books you need info. Get the Ford service manual. Best if you find a hard back original one. You can see the pictures. You can sometimes find on Tbay.
Get the hard back copy of Car that changed the world. Best for finding what your car needs. Good luck at Luray. Dan
Get the hard back copy of Car that changed the world. Best for finding what your car needs. Good luck at Luray. Dan
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- Posts: 4634
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- First Name: Norman
- Last Name: Kling
- Location: Alpine California
Re: An open letter to Jonah D'Avella
I agree with the above. There are quite a few parts for a 1926 which are different from the earlier models. So be sure the parts will fit your car before you buy them, however, if you do see something at a swap meet which is in really good condition and you really do need it for your car, be sure to buy it before you go looking farther because when you come back you might find it was sold. However, if the part is not in very good condition, and if you buy it, you will probably find one better at the swap meet or in another swap meet, so if you do buy something, be sure it is in very good condition.
Norm
Norm
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- First Name: Richard
- Last Name: Eagle
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 TR 1914 TR 1915 Rd 1920 Spdstr 1922 Coupe 1925 Tudor
- Location: Idaho Falls, ID
Re: An open letter to Jonah D'Avella
Seeing this hobby through new eyes is a treat for me. It brings back so many memories of my first days with a Model T. The hobby continues to be wonderful but we sometimes forget some of the magic along the way.
Thanks for the interest and comments.
Rich
Thanks for the interest and comments.
Rich
When did I do that?
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- First Name: John
- Last Name: Codman
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Youring
- Location: Naples, FL 34120
Re: An open letter to Jonah D'Avella
I agree with the above posts. A good life lesson is to remember that the least expensive way to accomplish anything, is to do it right the first time. Purchasing really good used parts, and quality new ones means that you will not have to spend extra dollars and extra time trying to make it right. I have rarely found a used part that was ready to be installed as is.
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- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
- Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
- Board Member Since: 2007
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Re: An open letter to Jonah D'Avella
I have rarely found a used part that was ready to be installed as is.
Yes, at the very least it will probably need cleaning and painting. In the case of a radiator, a good question is: Why is it for sale instead of being used?

The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
- First Name: Allan
- Last Name: Bennett
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
- Location: Gawler, Australia
Re: An open letter to Jonah D'Avella
Steve, I was of the same opinion about replacement parts needing attention before re-using same, until I found Henrietta. The first side mirror I found for her had too good a coat of paint so I kept hunting for a more used one to match her general patina. Keeping her looking like the survivor she is means a new take on what is required of the parts needed.
I have a job working on another buckboard just like her. it requires a replacement back wheel, and the owner is most pleased that I an supply one for him. I just wish I could post photos of this one as the refurbishment progresses.
Allan from down under.
I have a job working on another buckboard just like her. it requires a replacement back wheel, and the owner is most pleased that I an supply one for him. I just wish I could post photos of this one as the refurbishment progresses.
Allan from down under.
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- Posts: 1001
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:28 pm
- First Name: James
- Last Name: Bartsch
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Re: An open letter to Jonah D'Avella
Hi Jonah: Welcome to the Model T world, I enjoy your posts for their honest enthusiasm and curiosity.
I support what others are saying, get books/CD's etc and read as much as you can about the model T. As you already know, there's a lot of info on the web too, some of it is excellent, some requires 'interpretation'. Mr Jelf has a good web site for pre '26 model T's but you can still learn things there. A couple of my other favorite web sites for 'the improved Model T's of 1926-27 are: http://www.cimorelli.com/mtdl/1927/default.htm and Mike Bender's repair videos, relevant to all Model T's; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz9Cs_ ... d6e-WMvuRQ
I respectfully suggest focusing on getting your car roadworthy first, if it ran ok without a waterpump, start without one, it will stop without Rocky Mountain brakes if you verify the functionality and if lacking, fully restore the transmission brake AND the emergency brake. A little detective work in searching old forum posts will yield much relevant information in the area of basic safety as well as accessories and addon's. I saw you post in the Forum classified's asking value of some parts/accessories. You can get an idea of value of parts by looking at online catalogs (and some vendors have used parts that aren't listed in their regular catalogs). My experience valuing used parts is to keep the new price in mind and carefully inspect used parts for completeness and wear. There are bargains out there for sure, but there is a lot of well worn stuff too that can require additional investment of $$ and effort to make it functional or safe.
I wish you and your new Model T well, best to you, jb
I support what others are saying, get books/CD's etc and read as much as you can about the model T. As you already know, there's a lot of info on the web too, some of it is excellent, some requires 'interpretation'. Mr Jelf has a good web site for pre '26 model T's but you can still learn things there. A couple of my other favorite web sites for 'the improved Model T's of 1926-27 are: http://www.cimorelli.com/mtdl/1927/default.htm and Mike Bender's repair videos, relevant to all Model T's; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz9Cs_ ... d6e-WMvuRQ
I respectfully suggest focusing on getting your car roadworthy first, if it ran ok without a waterpump, start without one, it will stop without Rocky Mountain brakes if you verify the functionality and if lacking, fully restore the transmission brake AND the emergency brake. A little detective work in searching old forum posts will yield much relevant information in the area of basic safety as well as accessories and addon's. I saw you post in the Forum classified's asking value of some parts/accessories. You can get an idea of value of parts by looking at online catalogs (and some vendors have used parts that aren't listed in their regular catalogs). My experience valuing used parts is to keep the new price in mind and carefully inspect used parts for completeness and wear. There are bargains out there for sure, but there is a lot of well worn stuff too that can require additional investment of $$ and effort to make it functional or safe.
I wish you and your new Model T well, best to you, jb
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Topic author - Posts: 1629
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:46 am
- First Name: Dennis
- Last Name: Seth
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922 Coupe 1927 Touring
- Location: Jefferson Ohio
Re: An open letter to Jonah D'Avella
Jonah, Are birthday wishes due you? I see that when you first posted on August 18th you listed your age as 14 and now I see it listed at 15 on October 7th if so then :
1922 Coupe & 1927 Touring
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- Posts: 5018
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:31 pm
- First Name: Dan
- Last Name: Hatch
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Re: An open letter to Jonah D'Avella
Did he make it to Luray?
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- Posts: 700
- Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2020 8:00 am
- First Name: Jonah
- Last Name: D'Avella
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Touring
- Location: Kingsport TN
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: An open letter to Jonah D'Avella
Yes and yes and thank you!
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- Posts: 197
- Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2019 11:30 am
- First Name: James
- Last Name: Lyons
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 Touring, 1915 Touring, 1925 Coupe
- Location: West Virginia
Re: An open letter to Jonah D'Avella
Jonathan and his family were a breath of fresh air at the meet.i enjoyed the several conversations we had, and most of all, we were never so pleased as to be there to experience Jonahs very first time behind the wheel of a Model T! Dennis Flemming fired up his Unrestored coupe and gave Jonah his first driving lesson while we all looked on. He drove it like a PRO!!! When they were finished, Dennis took Jonah's dad for his first drive as well. It was without a doubt, the high point of the meet...
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- Posts: 59
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- First Name: Roy
- Last Name: Stone
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Touring--1925 Tudor
- Location: Poca, W V
Re: An open letter to Jonah D'Avella
Thank you Dennis, that is Showing good T Spirit To a young one, he will never forget you.
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- Posts: 700
- Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2020 8:00 am
- First Name: Jonah
- Last Name: D'Avella
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Touring
- Location: Kingsport TN
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: An open letter to Jonah D'Avella
I wanted to thank all of you for the help and advice you all have given me! I am enjoying meeting the Model T community!
Jonah D'Avella
Jonah D'Avella