Can anyone with a T roadster tell me if this bottom edge is supposed to be dead straight? It's the panel rearward of the door. I'm starting a metalwork short course tonight and wouldn't mind replicating this panel (or probably just a repair section) but want to make sure this thing isn't supposed to have a curve in it. Gut feeling makes me think it should be straight....but I've been wrong once before.
It should have some curvature. Maybe this picture of the rear on my roadster will be helpful. Charlie
Thanks Charlie. Helps a little, but now I've got more questions! Is it curved towards the door but straight at the "leg" section toward the back? Has anyone got one not ***embled?
That would appear to be a roadster panel, not a touring. The touring is a more less rectangular shaped piece that has another filler panel behind it with the rear door jamb in it. It would have a very slight curvature that matches the body over all. Yes, the portion behind the swoop goes straight back as part of the sub-rail that the turtle deck or pickup box sits on. The sub-rails are parallel to each other and joined by a similar shaped piece at the back. What you have is the outside face only. I wacked mine off at an angle that matched the kick-up in my frame. You're already part way there. Is the other side in the same condition? I may have a picture of the complete subrail, but I long ago gave away the pieces to another HAMBer. Charlie
Charlie, the Aussie (Geelong) built Model T's didn't have a subframe like the US built cars, they were wooden framed hence the panel being separate. There is a difference in the length of the rear section though but I can't remember off hand what it is. Peddro, I've got an Aussie body and a US one here and access to two others locally if you need any more info cheers Bob
Charlie, unfortunately this is my other panel....hence the questions! And, yes, this is definitely roadster. Dunno where being a touring came from....? Bob, I'd completely overlooked the US Vs Aussie body aspect. I've got a US-bodied T roadster that landed last week sitting at a mate's warehouse. Problem being that I won't get to look at it for a few weeks. Would you have any pics of the Aussie body? By the way, I've got no subframes, nor wooden frame. Just panels.
Yes, just where grumpyblues got the "touring" bit from confuses me. Anyway, doesn't really matter. Just clouded the info a little.
I just found this on Howell's sheetmetal website. They list it as a "26-27 Roadster Pickup Rear Quarter Patch" Looks reasonably clear that they manufacture it with a straight edge at the bottom for the entire length...would seem to be incorrect then...???
Howell's Sheetmetal (www.fordor.com) makes fairly decent patch panels that may be able to help you out. They are about 8" tall and go from the door all the way to the back section including the piece than goes up against the subframe. When i bought mine they were $60 for the pair.
That panel looks pretty accurate and it may be straight on the inside edge of the bottom lip, but probably slightly curved on the outside ahead of the swoop. I just took a straight paint stirrer into the garage where my rpu is and put it along the rocker below the doors and it has a very slight crown. I've never seen or laid hands on a new or even close to new T roadster body so I can't testify as to exactly what some of the original contours are like. My experience though is that there are very few truly straight panels on the old Fords we all know and love. The Howell's panels would sure be a good start. Charlie
You didn't read my post did ya? That's where I got the pic above. I've bought from them before a few years back, so might be worth another look, but from all the bad press they've gotten here lately, I'd be a little gunshy! Thanks again Charlie. I appreciate the effort.
I got some Howell's panels for my '26 RPU including the repair panels for the lower rear corners in question here a couple of months ago and am quite happy with them. While they may require small relief-cuts for the slight crown, they fit well and are pretty easy to transition into the upper panel. The long tail on the trailing edge is indicative of a RPU panel. Bad press is always to be recognized, all I can tell you is that they were nice panels, the right price, and nice to deal with... but no repair panel is ever going to be Henry steel!
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