'26 vs '27 roadster...... What's the difference?

[schwabd1]

OK, I picked up a couple roadster bodies, fixer uppers, to go on a '26 running gear I have. How do I tell if they are '26 or '27? All I could find is there are lots of differences, but no explanation what they are. Any help to identify the years?

[Mark Nunn]

viewtopic.php?t=3730

This is a good place to start.

[schwabd1]

Thanks Mark, I didn’t find that when I searched. I’m going to call the bodies ‘26. They have the “bump out” on the cowl, the holes for the webbing rivets, and one has the zink covers on the rocker panels…. They’re missing on the other body. The covers that are there are in pretty bad shape, and I don’t see them in any supplier catalog. Anyone know if they are available anywhere?

[TMiller6]

The ‘26 sill plates were manufactured by Howell’s and a lot of parts suppliers no longer feature their parts in their catalogs. Howell’s has an eBay store where the sills might still be available.

[schwabd1]

Tom, I saw Howell’s used to have them, I don’t see the sill plates on EBay. Plus I don’t know if I want to deal with their reputation. From what I can find they no longer have a catalog and they never answer their phone. I don’t know how I could even try to order from them. Anybody have a way to contact them?

[Norman Kling]

On the cowl right at the top of the post where the front door attaches, on the 26 there is an indentation. The top of the door fits into it. On the 27 the post goes straight up to the cowl. The Ford name is stamped into the steel door sill on the 27 but is on a zinc plate on the 26. The early 26 has the lights attached to fender brackets with a bar attached under them across between the fenders but the later 26 and 27 have a bar across between the fenders with the headlights mounted on them. There might be other differences but those listed above I know of.
Norm

[2727]

I needed those sill plates about a year ago. First ordered them on Howell's website and never received them. I called and left messages with no call back, even sent a letter. I was persistent and one day Ryan answered the phone, I explained how I ordered the sill plates on a specific day to which he explained their computers had been hacked at that time and I had been scammed. Ryan said they had the sill plates in stock, took my order and I received them in a few days. Maybe if you're persistent as I was you can get through. It was explained to me they are having trouble hiring and retaining help like a lot of businesses. I also know the vendors have stopped selling Howell's parts because of the difficulty communicating with them.
Peter Haid

[Mikes 1912]

There is one way you can tell if the doors are original to the body, the inner panel of the doors have 4 holes punched in them 4 small 1926 1 7/8"
1927 2 7/8"

[schwabd1]

Thanks for all the info. I did learn I have the ‘27 stanchions. I didn’t know they were different between the 2 years. Was that a model year change or mid year ‘26. I checked Bruce’s book to see what the ‘26 ones looked like….. don’t know if I’ve ever seen those (or I really wasn’t looking). Are the ‘26 ones hard to find?

[TMiller6]

I never checked the archives to see when the stanchion design changed. I suspect the early style was prone to cracking and the design changed.

That said, I have the later stanchions on my early ‘26. I can live with the improved design and most people don’t know the difference.

As far as Howell’s I got lucky twice: The Chickasaw meet used to have Howell’s trailer parked inside and they had a good display. Then, when I needed a rear panel for my Touring, Smith and Jones was able to get it for me.

There was also a sheet metal company in Ohio called Aoogha that I now miss. I hate seeing parts disappear from the catalogs. Saturday marked a first for me: I came home from the Kalamazoo swap meet empty handed.