In 1982 I decided a Model T pickup would be more practical than the Racer I had built 12 years earlier. I took the Racer body to our swap meet and a fellow from a Montana museum bought it. I used the money to buy some lumber and materials. Oliver was some help and lots of moral support. The striped, gray fenders from the Racer worked just right for a pickup. Also shown is a '09-'10 hood former I had found in a junkyard.
Designing it as I went worked out well.
I used wire wheels as good wood wheels were in short supply at the time. I had loosened several during my racing days. I was reprimanded a couple of times for using the wrong wheels by folks who new but didn't get around to correcting that. The number "28" graced the racer so I lettered it on the C-cab to give it the appearance of being part of a fleet. Later, and older gentleman told me he remembered those old telephone trucks very well. When I mentioned I had built it, he wouldn't have any of that. He knew better. It was fine with me. We all should be happy believing what we want.
We went on tours, camping, to shows and I visited the recycle yard several times a month to pick up old car scrap. Joy drove it in the 4th of July parade when I was too busy getting another T ready for a tour. The rear end went out and she was sure it was her fault.
I made a bench seat for the box, so the kids had a place to sit.
We went and picked up sand for a sandbox with it. I estimated one and a half tons were in it. It nearly bottomed out the extra spring leaves. The Warford in low got us home quite well. It was good to know what a T will do.
It served us well while we had it, but the Douglas fir began to loosen with use. The parts all found homes on other cars.
Since I don't have a current T project, I decided to revisit this old one.
Rich
