Are these the correct windshield support rods?
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Topic author - Posts: 1086
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:51 pm
- First Name: Mike
- Last Name: Bird
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 Delivery Car
- Location: Goshen IN
Are these the correct windshield support rods?
I purchased an original Rands windshield a while back and with it came the windshield support rods. I’ve seen other support rods with a bend near the top. These are completely straight all the way down. Can someone who has a 12 verify? One of the rods is heavier gauge brass tube as you can see in the picture.
Thanks
Mike
Thanks
Mike
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Re: Are these the correct windshield support rods?
Mike,
Here are some pictures posted over the years I have saved of 12's. You may have seen or saved these before but just in case maybe this will help.
Next I will show my 12 but keep in mind this car is over 107 years old and anything could have been changed for any reason but it may show some detail to help. As you can see mine are bent but I don't know the make of the windshield or rods or if original or not. This just happens to be what was on the car when I found it.
Here are some pictures posted over the years I have saved of 12's. You may have seen or saved these before but just in case maybe this will help.
Next I will show my 12 but keep in mind this car is over 107 years old and anything could have been changed for any reason but it may show some detail to help. As you can see mine are bent but I don't know the make of the windshield or rods or if original or not. This just happens to be what was on the car when I found it.
Give an old car guy a barn and he won't throw anything away.
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Re: Are these the correct windshield support rods?
As you can see the last owner tried to put on a later radiator and the headlights were updated to electric at some point and almost all the brass had been removed other than the windshield so even that may not be original.
Last picture is after I put on some brass I had on the shelf for another project so we could take the car for its first test drive around town.
Last picture is after I put on some brass I had on the shelf for another project so we could take the car for its first test drive around town.
Give an old car guy a barn and he won't throw anything away.
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Re: Are these the correct windshield support rods?
Mike-
I have seen both straight and some with a slight bend at the top. From what I understand, original windshield rods were steel tubes with a thin brass sleeve over the top. Generally over the years, moisture would get between the steel and brass and the resulting rust would split the thin brass outer layer. I believe all reproduction windshield rods are just brass. I don't know how thick the wall of the tubing is on my 1911.
I would opt for straight, unless someone can come up with a 1912 blueprint with specifications.
Here are some 1912 images that I have harvested over the years that you may use for a reference.
(Notice that that there is no pinstripe on the lower section below the back of the back seat.)
: ^ )
Keith
I have seen both straight and some with a slight bend at the top. From what I understand, original windshield rods were steel tubes with a thin brass sleeve over the top. Generally over the years, moisture would get between the steel and brass and the resulting rust would split the thin brass outer layer. I believe all reproduction windshield rods are just brass. I don't know how thick the wall of the tubing is on my 1911.
I would opt for straight, unless someone can come up with a 1912 blueprint with specifications.
Here are some 1912 images that I have harvested over the years that you may use for a reference.
(Notice that that there is no pinstripe on the lower section below the back of the back seat.)
: ^ )
Keith
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Re: Are these the correct windshield support rods?
Clay's 12. I think it is June 1912. Sorry can't help on tubing thickness. Were the tubes left open or was there a plug to keep dirt out?
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup
1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup
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Re: Are these the correct windshield support rods?
The tubes had a hard rubber cap on the ends, which generally fell off. In most photographs from the era, they are either missing or not visible.
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Re: Are these the correct windshield support rods?
Here is a photo which illustrates the "bend near the top" that you ask about, Mike. This picture was taken in early 1962, when my Dad had just purchased the car. I can't vouch for any modifications prior to that time, but here is what the windshield brace rods look like:
1. The rods are very thin wall brass, over steel tubes. As Keith mentions, the brass outer portions are cracked. I have always assumed that this was due to season cracking, as there is little or no corrosion appearing between the brass and the steel.
2. The bends are pretty much as shown in the photo. When seen in a direct side view, the rods appear straight.
3. The body stamping on the wooden seat riser indicates that it is a Beaudette body. The engine number suggests an April 1912 build date. The body is of the slab side configuration and I see no evidence that it is anything other than an April(ish) built car.
4. Right now the car is pretty thouroughly covered up because I have another project in the spray painting stage. But I may be able to uncover the LH brace rod for detail photos if you have something specific that you need to see.
True confessions: Most everybody who has posted this thread knows more about Model T's than I do. All I can do is report what I see. It's entirely likely that there was more than one body manufacturer in 1912, and there could well be more than one type of brace rod, both of which might be authentic.
Dick
[image][/image]
1. The rods are very thin wall brass, over steel tubes. As Keith mentions, the brass outer portions are cracked. I have always assumed that this was due to season cracking, as there is little or no corrosion appearing between the brass and the steel.
2. The bends are pretty much as shown in the photo. When seen in a direct side view, the rods appear straight.
3. The body stamping on the wooden seat riser indicates that it is a Beaudette body. The engine number suggests an April 1912 build date. The body is of the slab side configuration and I see no evidence that it is anything other than an April(ish) built car.
4. Right now the car is pretty thouroughly covered up because I have another project in the spray painting stage. But I may be able to uncover the LH brace rod for detail photos if you have something specific that you need to see.
True confessions: Most everybody who has posted this thread knows more about Model T's than I do. All I can do is report what I see. It's entirely likely that there was more than one body manufacturer in 1912, and there could well be more than one type of brace rod, both of which might be authentic.
Dick
[image][/image]
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Re: Are these the correct windshield support rods?
It's nice to see so many 1912's with the correct fore doors! Many people in my area have removed them for some reason.
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Re: Are these the correct windshield support rods?
My late slab side '12 has the bend
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Re: Are these the correct windshield support rods?
I suspect the drawings for these exist just as they do for the 1911 Torpedo / Open Runabout. The part number is on McCalley CD drawing list. Ordering that drawing from the BFRC would be the sure fire way to get the information you need.
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Re: Are these the correct windshield support rods?
My former 1912 had the slight bend to the rods.....can’t remember the construction detail.
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1913 Model T Runabout,
1926 Model T Touring,
1948 Chrysler New Yorker,
1991 Mazda Miata
1926 Model T Touring,
1948 Chrysler New Yorker,
1991 Mazda Miata
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- First Name: Richard
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Re: Are these the correct windshield support rods?
My 12 that I got over 25 years ago came with the original rods. Brass plated on steal tubing. You couldn't touch the rods without cutting your hands on the cracked brass plating. The thickness was like the one on the top. At the time Lang's was only selling solid and tube brass rods with a casting you had to solder on the end and the tubing was more like the bottom one. I bought the tubing and did all my own forming of the ends as my windshield rods were pressed ends as yours are. And the originals also had the bend in them. Did try them without the bend first but the formed end was to much out of square to the windshield bolt. So I put the bends back in as the original had.
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Re: Are these the correct windshield support rods?
Richard, I have a set of those straight rods that came with my 11 project. Do you remember where the bends were located and the angle? I also need to form the windshield ends. Art