1925 Roadster Question

[20touring]

Opinions: What’s wrong with this car?
The top looks like the back curtain slants forward and the wheels somehow look too small and the tires too big.
Feel free to give your opinions, it is advertised as a 1925 model year.

[Dan Hatch]

Top installed wrong, looks like optional 21” wheels.

[Mark Gregush]

Wheels would have been an option for 1925. That top, would need new top material and bow reset. Without front photo and less shadows, can't tell if it it is a 24/25 or earlier car with 25 engine.

[speedytinc]

Wheels would have been an option for 1925. That top, would need new top material and bow reset. Without front photo and less shadows, can't tell if it it is a 24/25 or earlier car with 25 engine.

25's have some exclusive features.(at least late versions) Tool tray aft of the gas tank. 26 style single choke/mixture control. wide brake drum?

[Norman Kling]

I wouldn't replace the top unless it is being used as a "show car". wait until it needs a new top, then you can do it right. As it is now, the top section has been cut to fit the angle of the bows and you really can't fix it without a new top. Most people who look at it will not even know it is incorrect except for some very picky club members.
Norm

[Humblej]

Keep the top folded down. Fixing it will require replacing it.

[John kuehn]

Looks to me the top bows aren’t in the correct location. Maybe one bow is not in right location? Or it could be the earlier top assembly for the 17-22 Roadsters is on this car. That may be the issue.
Some folks still believe that lots of T parts will interchange from one year to another but not away the case.

[speedytinc]

My 27 roadster P/U top came like this also. Bothers me.
I'm going to fix it some day. Been 22+ years.

[20touring]

Great replies! Thank you-would the wheels then be the same as 26-27?
In one photo in the ad the front fender bead can be seen running outside the splash apron, I know that’s correct for 24 and maybe very early 25 so if these wheels are an option late 25 something is amiss here.
It’s on Craigslist in New Hampshire for $10,500 which seems steep for a driver quality car.
More opinions?

[Mark Gregush]

https://nh.craigslist.org/atq/d/hennike ... 23011.html
Bruce's book does not say early or late on the wheels, just 1925. Not a late 1925 body, late 1925 the hinge would have been rectangular.

[TXGOAT2]

The car looks pretty good except for the top,which is a mess. I've noticed that cars can look out of proportion in photos. I've seen many photos of Model Ts that appear to show the front or rear wheels toed out sharply when in fact they are not. The side view of this car looks kind of off, but the front view looks fine. The top bow that the back curtain attaches to should be leaned back more, and the middle bow should be way forward of where it is. It should be about over the driver's head. That would give the top the correct profile, height, and function. It is normal for a Model T with good springs to have the wheels not quite centered in the fenders front to rear when the car is sitting empty. Some photos exaggerate this. I'd want to see the car in person and drive it. The top might make a good bargaining point. I'd bring good photos of a roadster with a good top properly installed.

[Norman Kling]

The way the Ford axles are made with the radius rods, They will be closer to the center of the car when not under load. This is especially noticeable on the back wheels. As the load is applied, the rear axle will move back toward the center of the fender.
Norm

[TWrenn]

Keep the top folded down. Fixing it will require replacing it.

I'm with Jeff. My friends will tell you I'm a "top down snob", open cars should if at all possible and tolerable, be driven "open"!! I barely ever run Clarabelle, my '13 touring with the top up. Hate it. I love the open sky view, you'd be surprised how many times I see bald eagles flying around overhead that others in closed cars or tourings with top up miss. Plus just God's gorgeous sky! The Torpedo gets to keep the top up for when the wife accompanies me, that's about it. When I drive the Fordor in cooler weather I do miss the view. But I do still enjoy it since it stretches the season for us. Just an opinion!

[Original Smith]

I would hope the top sockets are correct, but doubt it. They maybe from a different year, or brand of car.

[John Codman]

I don't want to turn this discussion into an argument, but when I see a water pump IMHO it's usually a Band-Aid for a cooling issue. Take a close look at the radiator - if it's a round-tube, (the vertical tubes are round) it probably needs a radiator. If it's a flat-tube (the vertical tubes are relatively flat) the radiator has probably been replaced and the unnecessary water pump was just left on. Be warned that if it needs a radiator, you are looking at something close to $900 with shipping. If the car is going to be a driver, you want a flat-tube.
As to the wheels - they were standard on '26-'27 and optional (as has been said) for a few years before that. The low pressure tires ride better but steer harder unless someone has replaced the steering gears with the later 5:1 gears (which is not difficult). Ford lowered the Model T by two inches in 1926, so the later lower balloon tires have more clearance between them and the earlier body. To a purest, this might look a little awkward, but the smoother ride makes up for it. BTW: it is possible that Ford installed the 5:1 gears with the balloon tire option , but it would take someone more knowledgeable then I to be sure. It is also possible that an owner added the newer wheels and tires without changing the gears.