MTFCA Forum

Tbird

Ben, Welcome to the forum! What a great story and a great piece of automotive history you have there! It looks like a real fun ride! Enjoy what you have and fix what's important to make it safe and roadworthy, the smaller stuff "incorrect/modified" things can be replaced one piece at a time or not a...

Tbird

Finished the rest of the roof slats today. I’m really excited to see the finished product of the roof slats after I stain and varnish them.

Tbird

Kim,
I’ll take them. I sent you an email.
Thanks

Tbird

Came across this video about polishing the brass on a Stanley steam car. Thought there was some interesting tips.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=W7ZmK3xIcqQ

Tbird

Made some more progress with steam bending the roof slats…Had 3 of them split on me in a row. Only 9 more to go!

Tbird

Henry K. Lee wrote: ↑
Sat Jul 26, 2025 6:33 pm
Looking Good Mike..., Enjoy those memories with the lil ones!

Thanks Henry!

Tbird

Started steam bending some of the slats to get the roof squared up. Everything worked as it should! I’ll have a video of the process soon.
Thanks guys for your input and encouragement!

Tbird

Mike I was going to wait to offer this but decided to forge forward. Reading all your post and feeling the frustration on things that were trial & error, I want to let you know that after careful consideration I’m willing to let you give me the body once buttoned up & painted. I know that’s a gener...

Tbird

Was able to make some more progress with the rear doors and moulding. I know it may not seem like much, but getting all the gaps even for the rear doors was important for me. Now that I’m satisfied with the gaps I can finally move onto steam bending the roof slats!

Tbird

I’m putting an early frame back together. I picked an early frame up for $100. It had a really bad rear crossmember. The front crossmember was later with a Ford script. The running board brackets were later and mismatched. I found an early nice front and rear crossmembers, and have a complete matche...

Tbird

Found one! Thanks guys!

Tbird

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Tbird

I'm looking for a 1911 steering column. The column length should be 23 1/2". I have a very nice, complete 1912 column with the offset hole to trade if need to (depending on condition/completeness of your column). mikebird@lifeattheridge.net IMG_6468.jpeg IMG_6469.jpeg IMG_6470.jpeg IMG_6479.jpeg IMG...

Tbird

Mike,
I sent you a PM
Thanks Mike Bird

Tbird

Tie rod yolk for 13-18. Very nice. Clean threads. Possibly NOS. $25 plus shipping
mikebird@lifeattheridge.net

Tbird

This is an original water outlet for the 09-16 but is the replacement part that was sold by Ford dealers according to Gail Roddas book.

$60 plus shipping

mikebird@lifeattheridge.net

Tbird

This a reproduction of the early style water head outlet 09-16
$50 plus shipping

mikebird@lifeattheridge.net

Tbird

Have one pair of early style pan ears. Solid. Still has some of the pan that will need to be ground off.
$25 plus shipping

mikebird@lifeattheridge.net

Tbird

I looked for such a long time for one of RVs bulbs. Before he passed we were talking back and forth and he was gathering up some of the brass sleeves that had the goofy thread on them that I would be using on my rubes horn restoration. I finally found an original (deflated) bulb on eBay I harvested ...

Tbird

Anyone have a carbide generator basket laying around not using like this one?
It has the clean-out on the bottom that flips open.

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Tbird

Brent will do. Send me an email with your shipping info and I’ll get them packaged up for you. Thanks!

Tbird

A while back I made up a batch of these carb adjustment knobs with the arrow detail on them. I was able to get 4 more knobs squeezed off the brass stock I had left. These are the last 4, I'm not planning on making any more. $30 plus $6 shipping to the lower 48 states mikebird@lifeattheridge.net IMG_...

Tbird

Someone gifted this to me thinking it was some sort of tool for a Model T oil pan drain plug…
I know that it’s not for that.

Anyone want to take a guess?
The socket is removable with a screw.

Tbird

What a great story and piece of history! Thanks for sharing. If I ever get up to Detroit I'd love to see it.

Tbird

Here’s John Regan’s decal. I copied my decals after John’s. IMG_3108.jpeg Here’s the one on Bill Brommer’s IMG_3109.jpeg Between the three (Craig’s, John’s, and Bill’s) There are three different types of Fonts. The logo that Bill copied from is the one found on the sales literature for 1911. He did ...

Tbird

Here’s John Regan’s decal.
I copied my decals after John’s.

Tbird

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑
Wed Mar 19, 2025 5:48 pm
Is the 1912 Pie Wagon the one built by John Regan some years ago?

Jerry,
That pie wagon was built by Bill Brommer.

Tbird

Late '11 do not use the wood frame. They are like a pillow case and the bottom has 'vinyl' covered cardboard. phils cushion bottom.jpg This is the underside of car s/n 82425 front seat cushion. seat frame Chad.JPG Here is the underside of car s/n 83913 front seat cushion. Keith, so it looks like th...

Tbird

I’m looking to make a seat cushion for my delivery car. Originally the cushion was just a piece of 2” foam. I’m wanting to incorporate some springs. I’ve read that the seat frame for 11/12 era was a wood frame with the springs does anyone have pictures of what the seat frame looks like/construction ...

Tbird

Tim, so I haven’t built a huckster, but I am building a delivery car. The way the roof is constructed might be pretty similar. The roof section consists of 1” wide 5/16” thick slats that run from front to back and are spaced 3/4” apart. I’m using maple but what ever wood species you desire can be us...

Tbird

Starting to fasten all the 1/2 oval moulding on. It uses three different sizes: 3/4” along the bottoms and sides (vertical pieces) The center section is 7/8” The rear door moulding ( not on yet) uses 3/4” for the sides,top and bottom pieces and a 1” piece that goes down the length of the two doors w...

Tbird

Tbird

Had to rethink the rear door/windows. Originally my plan was to use two oval frames one inside and one outside with the glass and metal sandwiched between. I then was able to find a high resolution image of a delivery car with the open doors. The image showed that the metal was pushed in to form an ...

Tbird

Back at it again…
Finished nailing the other side on.

Tbird

Original Smith wrote: ↑
Tue Feb 18, 2025 12:21 pm
I had a bunch of those 1/4-28 bolts made recently. I imagine they will be available soon from Lang's.

Thanks Larry! That's good to know!

Tbird

Finished nailing all the side sheet metal on.

Tbird

Looking for a brass carbide generator. E and J style.
Thanks Mike

Tbird

Pulled it out of the garage to take a picture…

Tbird

Have one side on now. Doing a cut and buff on the second side panels.

Tbird

Mike, if you haven't already tacked the panels to the rear doors, it would be better to clamp a thin lath of timber over the panel with those same three clamps. This will help to load the panel more evenly against the frame rather than just at the clamping points. When I built my Chocolate van I us...

Tbird

I’ll take the carb adjusting rod
Mike

Tbird

Starting the tedious process of skinning the body. I’m really liking the look of the stained wood with the carmine red color. Nailed felt on on the pillars and anywhere else that I think might rattle.

Tbird

You can get the drawings from the Henry Ford Drawings are $30 each unless it’s already been digitized you can get it for $7. I did a quick search and the #1 floor board is already digitized. 4 pieces in all. Jon Anderson makes really good ones. By the time you spend money on drawings and materials y...

Tbird

michaelb2296 wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 27, 2024 9:23 pm
Looks good Mike. Wish i had all that space to paint!

Me too! At a friends barn!

Tbird

Got the color on the panels followed by 3 coats of clear. I have few little nibs that will need sanded out but overall pretty happy.

Tbird

Shooting some primer on the interior side of the Delivery Car upper and lower body panels. Hope to have color on by Saturday.

Tbird

Anyone have some chain links for a Stewart Speedometer they can sell. I need about 10
Thanks

Mike Bird

Tbird

Very cool Allan!
Never thought of handheld battery operated polisher. I like it!

Tbird

Karl,
It’s very easy to just add material to a bracket and build it up and shape it. I had 3 brackets for a 12 that were a matched set but was missing one. I looked and looked and eventually just got a bracket that was a 14-15 era and added material to match it to the others.

Tbird

Made some more progress on fitting the metal panels on the Delivery Car.

Tbird

Tbird

These are many of the patters I made up using 3D printing to make the many brackets/hardware for a Ford Delivery Car. Note: This pile is not all of the patters as many of the other pieces are simply flat pieces of steel such as door bumper plates, door lock guides, stop plate and floor skids skids. ...

Tbird

I made up a couple of 3D printed patterns to do a casting for a rear flange for the early oil pans. These are made exactly to the Ford drawings and will suffice for doing a reproduction casting for the early oil pans. $50 each mikebird@lifeattheridge.net IMG_2739.jpeg IMG_2741.jpeg IMG_2740.jpeg

Tbird

These are the front step plates for a 1912 Delivery Car. These were made exactly as per the Ford drawings. They are extra to my needs. They could be used for another application such as huckster, depot hack, wagon, etc These will also give you the dimensions and layout of the floor runners for a del...

Tbird

Here’s an original steel cable housing only. This is all steel would be correct for late 12. Housing is in nice solid shape. I already degreased and cleaned it. Just needs a coat of black paint. 54” + inches long. $125 plus shipping mikebird@lifeattheridge.net IMG_2735.jpeg IMG_2736.jpeg IMG_2737.jp...

Tbird

Most impressive. I really like the look of the interior vertical braces. Its been quite an undertaking. Thanks Richard! I really like the look of the wood as well. It definitely gives it a lot of character and warmth. I purposely chose certain sections of maple and ash that had some unique characte...

Tbird

My question is did you make your dash/firewall. If so could you give me the overall height of the dash. Ford drawing I have is missing this information. Thank you JohnR John, I’m using the two piece dash on this project and I making my own dash. I drew it up in CAD using the drawings from The Henry...

Tbird

All SOLD
If you got an email from me you have one coming out to you. Thanks guys for your interest!

Tbird

Only a few left!

Tbird

I made up a small run of these carb adjustment knobs. I used an original one for specs. These are made to same size as the original unlike the repos that are undersized and lack the arrow detail. $30 I can ship these to lower 48 states for $6 in a padded envelope. mikebird@lifeattheridge.net IMG_272...

Tbird

Made some more progress. All the metal panels are now fitted and I began working on drilling the holes for the step bolts to pass through the metal for the interior braces. Next I will be drilling several 1/16” holes along the perimeter of the panels for the body nails. Last thing to do before I can...

Tbird

Mike, in your opinion, do you feel that the rim nuts pictured are not a match for the valver covers shown? Hi Bill, so those valve covers will fit with those rim nuts, however those rim nuts fit the 725 valve stem size and so you will have to do a lot of turning the cover to get it off the stem. Th...

Tbird

I believe those rim nuts fit the 725 valve stems.

Tbird

Must of been early AAA roadside service showing up with their own tools

Tbird

Sent you an email

Tbird

I have a 13 block without a casting date

Tbird

Tommy,
Which one are you looking for?
Corcoran, Victor, E&J, JNO Brown

Tbird

$450 plus shipping

Tbird

$30 plus shipping

Tbird

I have some pieces of Mr Roadster brass glass setting channel Dimensions of the pieces- Large piece with radius on ends: 38” x 9 1/2” Straight piece: 37 3/4” 2 short pieces: 11 1/2” The straight piece and the two short pieces are mitered on the ends and form 90 degree angles. When assembled it makes...

Tbird

Nikko012 wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 12, 2024 11:19 pm
WTB nice 1910 front hub, have one, and need the other side.
Thanks Ray

Ray,
I have one, if you’re still looking for one. I sent you a email.
Thanks Mike

Tbird

All are sold. Thanks

Tbird

michaelb2296 wrote: ↑
Fri Sep 27, 2024 9:48 am
I keep hearing about someone might do a few in their spare time. I hope that is true! But, if you have one and are willing
to part with it and it is in excellent shape, do let me know...

Thanks,
Michael

Michael any specific brand? JNO Brown, E&J, Victor/Corcoran

Tbird

Shot some color today on the underside platform. I went with a very dark red. I’m very happy with the results. It’s a single stage paint from Limco Supreme that I’m using. IMG_2548.jpegIMG_2549.jpeg Happy to see this. I was biting my tongue on the Robin's Egg Blue. :lol: Couldn't agree more!

Tbird

Shot some color today on the underside platform. I went with a very dark red. I’m very happy with the results. It’s a single stage paint from Limco Supreme that I’m using.

Tbird

Did you make the oval window trim? If so Id be interested to know how you did that. Richard, Yes I did make the window frames. It was a nightmare trying to find ones. Oval frames are not as popular as they once were. I did find a company in CA that made frames and I asked if they were wood they sai...

Tbird

KWTownsend wrote: ↑
Sat Sep 07, 2024 9:36 am
Mike,
Beautiful craftsmanship. Your detailed documentation will be a benefit for all future restorers of delivery cars. Your endeavor is publication worthy.

: ^ )

Keith

Thanks Keith!
Hopefully it will inspire others who have the desire to make and learn something new.

Tbird

Very nice work Mike the body is looking great. Tom nice pickup & suggestion on the Big C. Mike hate to be a Debbie Downer & I know it’s your T but on the drive train the wheels are entirely to small & I don’t see how it would possibly work without steering linkages to the front wheels or a drive li...

Tbird

tom_strickling wrote: ↑
Fri Sep 06, 2024 5:10 pm
Look great. I hope that big C is laminated or it is very likely to break anywhere the grain runs across the piece instead of along the length of a piece.

Thanks Tom! Always good points to remember.

Tbird

Was able to get some more details done on the rear doors: Mounting the rear window frames was quite the job today. Very happy with the results. Next project will be getting the moldings that go around the perimeter of the doors cut, shaped, and drilled for mounting. IMG_2520.jpeg IMG_2521.jpeg IMG_2...

Tbird

Mark, good question! Yes the panels are nailed in the perimeter of the exterior. There is a half oval trim piece that covers the nails. On the sides it is the same except there is a flange on the lower section that will nail from the bottom. Thanks!

Tbird

Tbird

Making some more headway. I stripped everything down for painting and staining. I also began metal fitting for the rear doors. Still working out the details for nailing the metal onto the wood frames.

Tbird

More sold, only two left

Tbird

Some people have asked about the rubber bulb… This is where I purchased the bulb from. [url]https://www.ebay.com/itm/175472959206?itmmeta=01J5ZN32GDCBP9263QE99Q2J1Y&hash=item28db00dee6:g:rHgAAOSwrS1jVkKm[url] The rings are made exact to an original that I had and removed off of an original Rubes bul...

Tbird

1 sold. Thanks!

Tbird

I made a small run of these rings that go down at the bottom of the rubber horn bulbs just like the original Rubes and Nonpareil had. I used an original ring off of a Rubes bulb for the dimensions. These rings will fit the taxi style bulb which looks a little more similar to the original shape of th...

Tbird

I have this 3” horn bulb new. I got it thinking I would use it on my horn but decided to use a different bulb
Catalog price is $60 save a few bucks
$45 plus shipping

mikebird@lifeattheridge.net

Tbird

Here’s a brass horn tube bracket. This is an original one note heavier casting. Very solid.
$75 plus shipping
mikebird@lifeattheridge.net

Tbird

Brass single twist Nonpareil.
$75 plus shipping

mikebird@lifeattheridge.net

Tbird

This is one that I had a few years ago, that I sold on the forum. It was an original with the lower pane being larger than the top half. It had an original Rands tag on it located on the top on in the inside... I don't know who the caretaker is of Phil Mino's unrestored 11 but that would be a great ...

Tbird

It’s August 1st!
I’ve been varnishing, varnishing and more varnishing interior wood pieces for the delivery car. I also got the platform ready for primer and paint.

Tbird

I would check with John Anderson (RV’s brother) he made all the coil boxes and floor boards.

Tbird

KWTownsend wrote: ↑
Sat Jul 20, 2024 5:59 pm
Mike-
I have seen some of these in the past. Has anyone confirmed that the locator arrow on the knob is an original design?
-Keith

Keith, ditto on what Richard said. I have seen a couple other pictures of a knob with the arrow as well.

Tbird

Guys, I’m making a run of some carb adjustment knobs with the arrow. I’m using an original knob for specifications. I already made a small run of these to work out the details. I already need to correct the knurling as it’s a little bit too coarse. I wanted to see if any one else would like to have ...

Tbird

Here’s a FP switch new that has not been installed The switch is a 60 amp push button w/hex mounting nut and a rubber bulb seal ring. Before I found this one I contacted Bird Haven several times, they had everything except the 60 amp push button switch. Supply issues…. IMG_2127.jpeg IMG_2128.jpeg IM...

Tbird

Began the process of tearing down the Delivery Car body to prep the wood for painting and staining.

Tbird

Round two.

Tbird

Round Three!

Tbird

Round two!

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