1917 Ford Model T Speedster

[Bubbledoc]

Hi to all,

 

Great site, some really good discussions.  Could you please help shed some light on how this vehicle was built?  I found it online and the only information available about it is that it's a 1917 Ford Model T Speedster.  What components do you think were used in it's fabrication?  Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

Thanks,

 

 

Brian

[Mark Wetherbee]

I’m guessing mostly T. Wheels are late T wires on a 26-7 large drum axle, radiator looks like a Willys Whippet to me, the lights could be Ford or any number of similar ones, that gas tank looks like it was an air compressor once, the steering box could be anything but the column is Ford and the steering wheel is as well but on upside down. Lots of good work lowering it, and the body & hood might be homemade with the hood louvers going into the footwell. Fun looking car!

[alsfarms]

That is the signature of a "Speedster", being a design of the builder/owner.  I agree, this car has the evidence of some nice home engineering on it and the end result is a nice well proportioned car.  (Not stock at all)

Al

[Terry Harper]

Very nice! Looks well thought out and executed. I would rank this as one of my favorite model T speedsters to date.

I like the domed ends on the fuel tank.

 

I am curious what has been done under the hood.

 

Terry

 

 

[Bubbledoc]

Thanks for the responses so far.  Any guesses as to the frame, radiator shell, seat shell would be greatly appreciated.

 

I love some of the speedsters you've all posted on here, especially the ALF's, but this build has such a simplistic and diminutive design in comparison that I just love.  Does anyone have any more pictures of it, or any similar builds they'd like to share?

 

I've uploaded 2 higher resolution versions of the original pictures if that helps.

 

Thanks,

 

Brian

[alsfarms]

It almost looks like I can see a piece of a shifter for a Ruckstell underdrive in the rear end.  Split wishbones both front and back makes me wonder what is under the hood.  The hood is longer by half again than a stock hood.  The stretch does make for nicer lines on this car!  I can see the knob of a shift handle so maybe it's for the Ruckstell or maybe it has a different transmission in it?  I don't see any of the mechanical brake linkage so it likely has been converted to hydraulics, (not a bad change for the sake of safety).  Now that I look at the front/side view, the pan hanging under the car does not look Model T to me.  The outboard brake handle  might be the shifter for the Ruckstell?  I can't make out the possibility of a brake and clutch pedal, can someone lighten up the picture of the cockpit?

Al

[Bubbledoc]

Al,  here is the best I can do:

 

 

[alsfarms]

OK, I think I can see the three pedal configuration of a Model T transmission.  That would also infer that the engine is a model T.   hmmm the pan simply didn't look right for a Model T but it must have been a bad angle for the picture or something?

Al

[babychadwick]

Is it just me or do the brake drums and rear radius rods just look off?  Not to nit pick but why run '14 gas lights with late 20's wheels and radiator?  Without seeing better pictures I would guess that someone dropped an A driveline into a T complete with upgraded juice brakes (note lack of brake rods), even the steering wheel looks more A with the rubber missing from the spider.  Then built the body, for lowering a massive T dropped front axle and a Z is my best guess.

Personally I think the builder did a beautiful job on the body but should have forgone the brass in favor of nickel or chromes and called it a 20 something.

[oily rag]

The hood covers a good share of the cowl and passenger compartment making it look sleeker. 

It looks like all the sheet metal work is custom except the radiator shell that is from a  late 20s Whippet.