The Ford Barn

1959apache · 07-29-2013, 07:11 AM

Hey there! I am new to FordBarn, but have been part of the HAMB for about 4 years now! I thought I would post this on here because I am going to need some wisdom on some of this stuff since it is new to me. I am posting this on here for everyone to get caught up on what is going on (only like one post so far, so you haven't missed much).

Well, first off, I have a ton of projects. This one kind of has been thrown in my lap, but I look forward to it!

My parents are moving from Seattle to Miami and bringing the 1924 Model T back and they are wanting for me to work my magic on it and make it reliable mechanically and something that they can tinker with and drive around Miami for car shows. It will take some of my room in the garage, but it will be easy to fix up!

Here is a picture:

Some history on this car:

My grandpa, who was in World War I, a man who still used wax in his mustache and looked like he was still from the 20's, owned this car. He passed away from spinal, throat, and brain cancer in the 90's from consuming huge amounts of Sweet 'N Low in his coffee. He raced the hell out of this thing. After he passed my grandma got a lowball offer from some junk peddler in her little town. She was only going to get 400 bucks for the vehicle as it sat in way better shape 15 years ago. My dad said hell no and we took a road trip from Indy to Arizona to go get it. We got it home changed the oil and gas and she ran like she never skipped a beat. The T then slumbered in our garage for another 7 years until my dad wanted to move it to Seattle.
I has been running up in Tacoma on random sunny days, which they don't get up there. My dad got a bid to work from Miami and took it, but the sea air took its toll on the patina on he engine and other components, including flaking the paint.

This T was built long ago and has been on MANY endurance runs and races with him, winning various places. The testimate that this is true is that it has plaquards all over the dash of places it won. This is a REAL speedster that has raced all over the country. It has been featured on Across Indiana, Episode 1107 and was pretty much star of the show in 2000.

When we originally got it we were in a Model T club based out of Indy, I will not mention the name, but it was a miserable experience for us. Veterans of the club were incredibly upset because our ACTUAL Speedster/race car got way more publicity than it should (but really it deserved every second because it was much nicer than other club rides). They were so chapped about it that they forced our hand into quitting the club months after joining. We were not looking for the spotlight, but the camera loved her. I will try to contact Across Indiana to see if I can get a hold of the episode. I had it on tape at one point, but cannot find it to save my life.

The Plans:

Redo the wood floors, reupholster the seats, polish all brass, clean up the engine (engine has been hopped up a bit), clean up the wire wheels, probably have them powder coated or painted, new tires/tubes, fix the brakes, get the wiring sorted out, possibly repaint, add
my touches to it, possibly lower it a bit (sits really really high, and I am kind of short, so it is a struggle getting into the passenger bucket over the exhaust that runs the span of the car on the passenger side (3" exhaust). My Dad wants it to be fenderless, but I think that ruins the look and I am refusing to do this. Since the paint is finally flaking I will look into painting it too...

Stay tuned! Number 88 will fly again!!!

07-29-2013, 07:11 AM	#1
1959apache Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Greenwood, Indiana Posts: 5	1924 Model T Speedster Hey there! I am new to FordBarn, but have been part of the HAMB for about 4 years now! I thought I would post this on here because I am going to need some wisdom on some of this stuff since it is new to me. I am posting this on here for everyone to get caught up on what is going on (only like one post so far, so you haven't missed much). Well, first off, I have a ton of projects. This one kind of has been thrown in my lap, but I look forward to it! My parents are moving from Seattle to Miami and bringing the 1924 Model T back and they are wanting for me to work my magic on it and make it reliable mechanically and something that they can tinker with and drive around Miami for car shows. It will take some of my room in the garage, but it will be easy to fix up! Here is a picture: Some history on this car: My grandpa, who was in World War I, a man who still used wax in his mustache and looked like he was still from the 20's, owned this car. He passed away from spinal, throat, and brain cancer in the 90's from consuming huge amounts of Sweet 'N Low in his coffee. He raced the hell out of this thing. After he passed my grandma got a lowball offer from some junk peddler in her little town. She was only going to get 400 bucks for the vehicle as it sat in way better shape 15 years ago. My dad said hell no and we took a road trip from Indy to Arizona to go get it. We got it home changed the oil and gas and she ran like she never skipped a beat. The T then slumbered in our garage for another 7 years until my dad wanted to move it to Seattle. I has been running up in Tacoma on random sunny days, which they don't get up there. My dad got a bid to work from Miami and took it, but the sea air took its toll on the patina on he engine and other components, including flaking the paint. This T was built long ago and has been on MANY endurance runs and races with him, winning various places. The testimate that this is true is that it has plaquards all over the dash of places it won. This is a REAL speedster that has raced all over the country. It has been featured on Across Indiana, Episode 1107 and was pretty much star of the show in 2000. When we originally got it we were in a Model T club based out of Indy, I will not mention the name, but it was a miserable experience for us. Veterans of the club were incredibly upset because our ACTUAL Speedster/race car got way more publicity than it should (but really it deserved every second because it was much nicer than other club rides). They were so chapped about it that they forced our hand into quitting the club months after joining. We were not looking for the spotlight, but the camera loved her. I will try to contact Across Indiana to see if I can get a hold of the episode. I had it on tape at one point, but cannot find it to save my life. The Plans: Redo the wood floors, reupholster the seats, polish all brass, clean up the engine (engine has been hopped up a bit), clean up the wire wheels, probably have them powder coated or painted, new tires/tubes, fix the brakes, get the wiring sorted out, possibly repaint, add my touches to it, possibly lower it a bit (sits really really high, and I am kind of short, so it is a struggle getting into the passenger bucket over the exhaust that runs the span of the car on the passenger side (3" exhaust). My Dad wants it to be fenderless, but I think that ruins the look and I am refusing to do this. Since the paint is finally flaking I will look into painting it too... Stay tuned! Number 88 will fly again!!!