Hot Rods Wrecked '26 T...could use some help

Hi folks. I'm trying to help a customer get his T back together after a genius in a clapped out van blew a stop sign. I'm knowledgeable on most things, but have to confess I'm lacking when it comes to pre-war stuff. Here's the victim:

I'm doing ok finding most of the parts, but am stumped on a couple things. One is the stainless steel covers that go over the frame/fender where the hood latches are. I don't know what they are called, so haven't been able to find them via Google. I'm also looking for a br*** radiator shell source as well as the Boyce moto-meter that threads into the radiator itself. The final problem at the moment is the wheel center cap (steel). The wheels are TruCl***ic brand which I think is out of business. Is there something else that would fit?

Except for the fenders, the car is all steel. Has a 2.8 Ford V6/auto and independent rear. Built, not bought. Though the color scheme isn't to my taste it's far nicer than the picture would indicate. Hopefully it will be torn down this week and I can get a better look at it. Frame appears ok and no damage to the cowl.

 

Mac's antique Auto parts has nearly every part for Model "T"s. They print a catalog just for Model "T"s. The rad shell is most likely br*** plated steel. 26 "T"s had nickel plated shells.

 

You need hood shelves. I don't know where you'll find stainless ones. Stock ones are painted. The radiator shell is a regular 26-27 that has been br*** plated. "T"s, of that era had no br***.
As a sidebar, the car is a bit gaudy (I'm being kind).Perhaps you can talk him into a better paint scheme and lose the br***, the whitewalls and the other tacky, streetrod stuff

 

Sounds to me like the guy is a body man looking for help.
With one post he likely landed here because old cars seem to be the focus of this site at first glance.
Many do not understand the obsession some have with being "traditional".
What is tacky IMO is being insulting to someone else's ride and thinking that everyone's sole goal in life is to build something to suit your tastes.
The owner of the T obviously likes it and wants it fixed.
The OP is looking for help in that ,not what your opinion might happen to be on the car.

 

Also try Speedway in NE. They have "T" stuff also.

 

If this helps, it looks like you have a Touring body & they do reproduce the fenders in steel I believe (Howells). I think Speedway might be the best bet to get a replacement Grille Shell.

 

Take a real good look at that frame again once you get the car apart, they're not very strong.

 

From the looks of the car it's been built a long time,now that you are here keep us up to date as you repair the car and if there will be any changes,I presume there will be a repaint?

BTW,I know you wasn't asking opinions pro or con,,but being the hamb your going to get them,it's just how the hamb works. HRP

 

i wouldn't pull it apart till i pulled most of the damage out. might even pay for some frame machine time

 

I totally agree,the T frames are basically a ladder style frame with minimal bracing and it takes very little to tweak them out of shape. HRP

 

Oh HELL! Take a poll then! If that was MY tub, I'd be happy for the excuse to 'subtle-ize' it.

Now. Is there really a T frame under there or is it based on a Model A?
I see a thin aftermarket axle hanging those disc brakes, and a gennie fender bracket.
Those are 'GL*** fenders.
As for 'T' shells, the old gent that was stamping new repro '26-'27 shells p***ed 4 years ago. The ones Speedway has are the '17-'23, and they are shorter in height. Just FYI.

 

Don't care for the wheels, the paint is OK. If those lines were on a 32 or 34 coupe, nobody would think a thing.

 

If you cannot find a cap, then you might locate a pair that are
at least similar, that fit (for one side).

 

I know you said the frame looks OK but here is some frame dimensions that might help. Those Ts are very simple. Check with Model T Heaven. Howells (good luck dealing with them) Macs and e-bay on parts
Wonder if ford caps will fit those wheels, what do they look like? good luck and post pics

 

Best of luck getting the car back together. No matter what anyone thinks of it (I personally like it) it ****s that it was crunched.

 

A couple of other sources for "T" parts are:

Gaslight Auto Parts
www.gaslightauto.com

Snyder's Antique Auto Parts
www.snydersantiqueauto.com

 

Check the frame, while you're making a list. Mine got hit in the same area and the frame looked good, until some measuring was done. Speedway has the Moto Meter, but I'm not sure if it will fit a gennie application. They may all be a standard size. For the sheet metal, Google LANG'S OLD CAR PARTS. They'll have EVERYTHING you need, as they specialize in Model T stuff.

Here's a link to LANG'S: http://www.modeltford.com/model-t-parts/radiator-fan-and-water-pump/radiators/moto-meters/

 

Thank you for the frame specs, we will use those.
Yeah, critiquing the guy's taste is kind of pointless. He's not on the web to see your comments, so you're wasting your breath. As I said, I wouldn't build it the way he did, but the workmanship is pretty good. He spent around 6 years working on it, and he's rightfully proud of his efforts. Plus, he drives it.

I'm the insurance appraiser tasked with trying to get it back together. I've lurked the HAMB for years but finally decided to join to pick some brains on this one. I won't say what it's insured for, but I'm hopeful we can come in far enough below the figure that it can be repaired. The only parts that have paint damage are the fenders, hood, and one door has a chip on it. The body needs to come off to replace what I'd call the rocker panel (anyone know how long that should take?). I recognize the frame is made of tinfoil, but it looks like the wheel took most of the hit, bending the front axle. The fender broke and took out the radiator and headlamp. None of the doors function correctly which does give pause but the thing isn't exactly sitting level right now anyway.

I've shopped Speedway and Mac's plus a few other online suppliers. The '26 seems to be a bit of an odd duck, plus it's got the br*** geegaws which don't belong on that year. I wish I'd measured the hole in the wheel center, but I can do that when I visit it after partial teardown.

 

Glad you joined the HAMB, hope the above advice helped.

 

You sound like a first cl*** adjuster,the kind of guy that cares about helping a client.

Thank you. HRP

 

I agree with HRP. It would be of interest to us to see what the outcome will be.

 

I think a deuce grill would set off the front end nicely.

 

holy ****, an ins. adjuster Wow!
Make sure you align that frame with the body on it to help with the door fitment. I think your referring to the splash apron when you say rocker panel. Thats a fairly quick and easy job. As far as estimating time for an estimate, get it up in the air, take a good look and double how long you think it will take

 

Welcome and best of luck getting this T back on the road. JW

 

it really needs the body removed from frame as it might have previous repairs that could be compromised. those frames twist real easy and that make it a ***** to get the doors operating correct. sometimes the amount of shims between body and frame to get things lined up is obscene!

 

If you badly need br*** parts there is a thread on here the HAMB about a guy that does AMAZING br*** parts building. Search something like "Working with br***" or along those lines.

 

I can find them if I search Google images, which leads me to Mac's, but they don't come up. Must be a discontinued item. Mac's doesn't seem to carry near as much as perhaps they once did for these cars, or the online catalog ****s.

 

Welcome!

In 1926-27, Ford made radiator shells of steel (painted) and br*** (nickel plated). The one in the photo is more than likely a stock shell with the nickel plating removed.

Best of luck finding one in good condition...I do not believe the nickel-plated br*** (or bare br***) shells are reproduced.

 

Good luck with the repairs...the guy deserves a good fix. And he's miles ahead of the boys who buy their next" build". Amazing amount of knowledge on here.

 

you could plaster clist wanted for the grill,Im sure theres a couple on garage walls somewhere,Also steel fenders are around,might want to do a driveby at the scene for the cap,looks like it was shocked off not bashed .good luck.You will find these old cars are fun to work on.