Restoration Qs...28-29 open car latches,again..

[d.j. moordigian]

I always thought this latch was Model T, it was on my car for the last 50
years. I've looked at a lot of T latches lately and haven't found one like it,
the T's are all square for the base. The base is A with a T lever. As you
can see, it wasn't modified. Anybody else have one? Anybody know ?

[wrndln]

It sure looks like my 28 latches with a V shaped tongue hole, except for the handle. Maybe it is a very, very early 28 latch. However I looked at the pictures I took of Dean Drenzek's very early 28 at French Lick last year and his car has the normal looking latches that are nickle plated. I would just replace the handle with a normal style handle, since you would probably need to have a handle nickle plated anyway. I suppose some employee might have used a T handle to use them up, but I don't think that is very likely. It would be surprising that an actual T handle would fit an A latch perfectly, but a lot of late T stuff was carried over to the very early model A's.
Rusty Nelson

[d.j. moordigian]

Rusty....I hadn't thought about a VE-commerical...

[Karl Wescott]

That is a "1927" style latch. With 1926 roadsters/tourings Ford transitioned to a steel inner door and had the sockets for the side curtains inside the door, and used the more common latch from 1917. They then engineeered the above latch with the side curtain socket in the latch. Note the "V" notch for the striker plate as the dovetail is internal in the striker.

Some very early 1928 models may have used this latch. I have seen original early latches with the knob style handle with the "V" notch in the main latch plate.

[d.j. moordigian]

Originally Posted by Karl Wescott

That is a "1927" style latch. With 1926 roadsters/tourings Ford transitioned to a steel inner door and had the sockets for the side curtains inside the door, and used the more common latch from 1917. They then engineeered the above latch with the side curtain socket in the latch. Note the "V" notch for the striker plate as the dovetail is internal in the striker.

Some very early 1928 models may have used this latch. I have seen original early latches with the knob style handle with the "V" notch in the main latch plate.

Thanks Karl...
A friend with a 27 (original) roadster with all steel doors, came by the shop.
We looked, discussed and he went home too take his door panel off,...so
that's where we stand...and I'm sure your correct. Thanks..

[JohnLaVoy]

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If the V notch is on the latch there will not be a dove tail in the door or on the car door frame. If that helps.

[d.j. moordigian]

Originally Posted by JohnLaVoy

If the V notch is on the latch there will not be a dove tail in the door or on the car door frame. If that helps.

My car is August 28...the passenger side is not molested. It has the "V" notch
and dove tails on both. I consider it a interim car with both early and later
parts at the same time. Marco and I talked about this about 6 years ago..