ericmac Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 I am going to begin a slow roll into a full restoration of this car. As a bit of background, my dad David Macleod and his younger brother George bought the car in 1952 spending their combined savings to get it. Together with their older brothers and my grandfather they assembled the car and learned to drive it. They drove the car extensively then sold it when they went to college. Fast forward to 1969, my dad was working and had some spare money. He stayed in contact with the man who bought the Model T. Upon the man's death his widow contacted my dad, asking if he wanted the car back. Clearly, he did and the purchase was completed. At the time we liked in Michigan's Up per Peninsula so the car was driven around that part of the state extensively. Later when our family relocated to Kalamazoo the car was a frequent sight at the Gilmore Car Museum for shows and the Model T driving school. Most recently, I participated in the Prewar tour sponsored by the Gilmore Museum. Part of the way through the tour the car began making the rumbling noises we typically associate with bearings going bad in the rear axle. I cut the tour short and got within 40 feet of the trailer when it broke for good. In the course of the restoration I plan to do a traditional, complete, restoration. The engine and transmission were rebuilt about 20 years ago but probably have less than 1000 miles on them. I am switching from wood wheels to wires because I like the look of wires and I feel steel wheels are safer than wood on a top heavy car like a '26 Fordor. Attached are a couple photos, one of the car when I last used it last fall and one of the car as it appears this morning, just before I put it in the garage. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted September 12, 2021 Author Share Posted September 12, 2021 Here are a couple more shots. My first task before beginning the process of disassembly will be to document as much of the car as I can. I am beginning by carefully sanding the body to see the paint color, width and location of the striping. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Perkins / Mn Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 Really looking forward to seeing this project blog……after seeing the T Touring you restored several years ago I am sure you will do a correct and superb restoration. What a sentimental project to take on! Best of luck! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Kingsley Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 That's my favorite body type on Ts and most cars of this era...I'll be watching this with great interest! The sentimental connection is all the better too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted March 11, 2022 Author Share Posted March 11, 2022 It has been a while but this project is now on the front burner. Since my last update I have started the disassembly process in earnest. When I last restored a car I ripped through the disassembly in less than a weekend. I didn't have any original hardware and much of the car was in such condition that nothing about it was original so preservation was unimportant. With this car I want it as close to original as possible so I am slowly dismantling it and documenting the process as much as I can. Today's job was to disassemble the passenger side front door. . A Budd built body, the door itself was in very good condition though I had to repair one window regulator. Here is the progress, noting the place where three well placed ball peen hammer strikes were needed to realign an errant gear. Note the red striped upholstery. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted March 22, 2022 Author Share Posted March 22, 2022 (edited) After a bit of a break to install some flooring in my house (when I say some, I'm talking about the entire main floor...ugh) I am moving on to removing the passenger side rear door and will be disassembling the inards of it. The first two pins came out easily but the third (closest to the rear fender) fought me. Clearly, the fender needed to be removed before I could proceed. Here, I found a significant amount of dirt, corrosion and, well, fight. Tonight I was able to remove but two bolts, breaking off both, but before doing so I photographed them so I could replace them with correct style hardware. This car. I'm predicting, is going to fight me every step of the way. Part of that statement comes from a belief that the car has never been fully apart before, yet the restoration must be done to halt the tremendous amount of deterioration I am finding. My dad had a lot of fun with it but it is clear that he simply wore it out. Good for him! Edited March 22, 2022 by ericmac Adding photos (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted March 22, 2022 Author Share Posted March 22, 2022 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted May 25, 2022 Author Share Posted May 25, 2022 I am going slowly on this car but not on purpose. My house projects got in the way and so has that pesky job of mine. Anyway, after a hiatus I finally got the rear fender and rear passenger door off. I really had to beat on the hinge pin to get the door removed but it's done. I almost got the upholstery off before it was bedtime for my girls. I would add a photo but can't seem to make the link work. I'm sure I am doing something wrong. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted May 25, 2022 Author Share Posted May 25, 2022 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary56 Posted July 8, 2022 Share Posted July 8, 2022 I understand how overwhelmed you are. I just finished my 1929 Graham Paige. The driver side looked just like your passenger side. It took me and my son several months to get it working and looking good. To see it now you would not belief it's the same car. Here are a couple of pics 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary56 Posted July 8, 2022 Share Posted July 8, 2022 Additional pics after rebuild 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted November 13, 2022 Author Share Posted November 13, 2022 I came to a decision about this car. While sitting on the running board the night of my uncle's death (my dad's brother, with whom he bought the car in 1952) I told myself I really need to get going on this project. Within 36 hours I got a message from noted '26-27 Model T Fordor restorer Don Booth. "Do you still need that car rewooded?" We worked out an arrangement and the car leaves in less than two weeks for wood, bodywork, primer, glass, wiring, headliner and a top. In the meantime I'll redo the chassis, nickel plating, wheels, tires and mechanical items. It's time. 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted November 16, 2022 Author Share Posted November 16, 2022 I continue to work on getting the car ready to ship out for body wood and other work. This car is fighting me every step of the way. Every nut, bolt and cotter pin has been a battle. Note to self, this car is case in point of why it's worth looking for a southern car next time! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted November 16, 2022 Author Share Posted November 16, 2022 I was looking at these photos again. If any of you are thinking "jeeze, clean up your work area, it would be easier," you would be right. But, life is happening now, with my oldest and his wife in the middle of a move, a lot of extra junk is sharing garage space with the car. Such is life. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zdillinger Posted November 16, 2022 Share Posted November 16, 2022 If you need any brute force assistance, let me know! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted November 18, 2022 Author Share Posted November 18, 2022 On 11/16/2022 at 9:17 AM, zdillinger said: If you need any brute force assistance, let me know! I most certainly will and I appreciate the offer tremendously! Hope all is well in Packardville! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zdillinger Posted November 18, 2022 Share Posted November 18, 2022 10 hours ago, ericmac said: I most certainly will and I appreciate the offer tremendously! Hope all is well in Packardville! So far so good! Parts run to Detroit on Sunday, then a whole bunch of work! Still trying to finish the body wood on my Pontiac but making good progress! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted November 23, 2022 Author Share Posted November 23, 2022 Here is the latest. Loading in the trailer to be rewooded. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted November 25, 2022 Author Share Posted November 25, 2022 Here are the latest photos from Don Booth's shop. He's already really torn into it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cudaman Posted November 26, 2022 Share Posted November 26, 2022 Don does fantastic work, you won't be disappointed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lahti35 Posted November 26, 2022 Share Posted November 26, 2022 5 hours ago, ericmac said: Here are the latest photos from Don Booth's shop. He's already really torn into it. He's a fast mover, I saw that centerdoor he did a year or two ago at a local show early this year. He does nice work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted November 26, 2022 Author Share Posted November 26, 2022 I agree. I was all over that centerdoor at Greenfield Village and in the meantime he did a Ford TT truck that won big the next year. He and I have a good understanding of how I want the car to end up and I am confident we can get there. I'm telling you, IIam already thrilled with the amount of progress he made. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted January 12, 2023 Author Share Posted January 12, 2023 Here is the latest update on the Fordor. The car has been dismantled cleaned and all of the wood rough cut. I wish I was in a place in life to do all this myself. Since I am not it is certainly great to have an expert like Don who is willing and able to do the job. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stude Light Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 Hey Eric, I just came across this post….very cool project and great back story! Keep up the progress reports (and you still need to stop over). Scott 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted January 13, 2023 Author Share Posted January 13, 2023 Will do, and yes I do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drhach Posted January 13, 2023 Share Posted January 13, 2023 When you have the engine out and the front end removed, the lineage that these have to horse-drawn carriages is really clear. Keep up the good work. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted January 19, 2023 Author Share Posted January 19, 2023 Here is the latest of the rewood project in Don Booth's shop. Once complete the car will come back my way to be painted and reunited with the restored chassis. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lahti35 Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 Looking good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted February 28, 2023 Author Share Posted February 28, 2023 (edited) Here is the progress as of today. Now I need to get myself in gear and get the chassis finished. Don Booth is making great progress and I'm behind in the dust! Edited February 28, 2023 by ericmac (see edit history) 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike "Hubbie" Stearns Posted February 28, 2023 Share Posted February 28, 2023 Looking good so far. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stude Light Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 That body is looking great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted March 3, 2023 Author Share Posted March 3, 2023 And...now the seat back is in place. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Perkins / Mn Posted March 3, 2023 Share Posted March 3, 2023 Looks like you are following one simple rule…..do it right and do it once. Looking forward to seeing your progress on the chassis! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted May 3, 2023 Author Share Posted May 3, 2023 I have been working on getting everything that is nickel plated ready to go. This involved having to get some machine work done inside the steering gearbox. In the meantime I have been finishing the chassis disassembly process and I am working on the wire wheels. Soon I hope to rebuild the rear axle/ driveshaft assembly. Does anyone know if this exhaust assembly is factory? 4 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobinVirginia Posted May 3, 2023 Share Posted May 3, 2023 That’s a Campbell’s Can chambered exhaust setup. I’ve seen the less durable aluminum Miller Can setups before. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stude Light Posted May 3, 2023 Share Posted May 3, 2023 (edited) Hey Eric, This is the original muffler setup for my 1921 Olds. Well, originally how I got it and still is. I'm guessing from the 1950's Edited May 3, 2023 by Stude Light (see edit history) 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted May 4, 2023 Author Share Posted May 4, 2023 6 hours ago, BobinVirginia said: That’s a Campbell’s Can chambered exhaust setup. I’ve seen the less durable aluminum Miller Can setups before. This was a bit of a tongue in cheek comment on my part. I have absolutely no doubt that my dad rigged this up as a means of saving a couple bucks. Examples of this sort of repair have been in evidence all over the car. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted May 5, 2023 Author Share Posted May 5, 2023 I am at a turning point. The engine is ready to come out and I am about fifteen bolts away from having a bare frame. While I still have to rebuild both the rear end and the front axle, I am almost ready to start coming back the other way. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericmac Posted May 5, 2023 Author Share Posted May 5, 2023 (edited) And the photo... Edited May 5, 2023 by ericmac Typo (see edit history) 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Perkins / Mn Posted May 5, 2023 Share Posted May 5, 2023 (edited) “Uphill is much more enjoyable than “downhill”! Great progress on the body, now for some dirty work…..Thanks for posting your project! Edited May 5, 2023 by Jeff Perkins / Mn (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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