Ben's Model-T Pie Wagon [1911-1925]

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fireheadman
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Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2025 1:26 pm
First Name: Ben
Last Name: Piraro
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Model-T Pie Wagon
Location: Castle Rock, CO

Ben's Model-T Pie Wagon [1911-1925]

Post by fireheadman » Mon Aug 11, 2025 1:02 pm

May have the thread moved to a new location if a build location/section is created?
Otherwise, I plan on posting frequently here for any/all things related to this vehicle. Hopefully everyone enjoys the thread.


So here I go... (a more detailed intro)

[Intro]
This the start of a new project for me. It's been 4 decades in the making, just waiting for me to have the opportunity to lay my hands on her. I'm Ben and this is my Model-T. My grandfather loved antique cars with an extreme passion. He had a garage full of them that he tinkered on all the time. He was the president of the Ark-La_Tex Antique Car Association and this vehicle is one he favorites. It was driven in the Holiday in Dixie parades every year with his grandchildren riding on his lap. I was always excited to visit my grandparents growing up just to be able to see the Pie Wagon, but God-forbid any of us climb into the cab without permission :shock: :evil:

My grandfather passed in his early 90's (the year I returned from from the Marine Corps) and to my surprise, nobody in the family took immediate possession of the pie wagon. It sat in the garage for a number of years longer before being sold to Wray Ford (dealership) -- https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/m ... /24800205/ -- I was unaware of this as I was now living in Colorado. This was about 5-6 years before Covid spun up. Once I found out, I started contacting the dealership every year to ask if I could buy it back... until then, she was on display to the public and safe from anyone putting their hands on her. I finally got my chance! I was moving my parents up to Colorado and decided to stop by the dealership for a "last time" to ask. They told me Covid was not helping with car sales and it was time for a change, so my offer was accepted and I setup a shipping date.

Now the real surprise was about a month later, when I brought my dad outside, he had no clue I bought it back. We watched his facial expressions as an 18-wheeler dropped its loading door down and slowly backed out the pie wagon. That was a great day for us! So now she sits in my barn protected, but needs a little tlc to get her running again. I'm looking forward driving her in parades again.

Dealership photo.jpg
20141126_181248.jpg

[Now]
Since I am now the owner, I've gone a couple ways in my head as to what to do.
She has sat in my barn for the past 5 years doing nothing and I've always been curious what it would take to make her run again or how safe would it be to drive on today's roads. I really didn't know where to go or who to reach out to for help as the last person I knew passed from Covid. Given all that, I ended up losing my father late last year to Parkinson's, so I felt like the journey was coming to an end (before it really even started).

So did what I shouldn't have done and posted her for sale. Luckily I had no clue what she was worth and something told me to start really high, so I did. To my surprise I had just 1 scammer (they wanted me to produce a window sticker) and then a week later 2 others reached out to me... but not to buy, just to talk to me about the pie wagon. It was these 2 individuals and their conversations that made me realize there is a great community (an active at that) that could help me. So I unlisted the pie wagon and joined both communities... The Mile High Pedal Pushers and the MTFCA. I believe both of those individuals are members on this forum, so I can't say thank you enough :!: :!: You've rekindled my aspirations and I think there are 2 people up above guiding me.
Member: Mile High Pedal Pushers - Denver, Colorado Chapter

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fireheadman
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2025 1:26 pm
First Name: Ben
Last Name: Piraro
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Model-T Pie Wagon
Location: Castle Rock, CO

Re: Ben's Model-T Pie Wagon [1911-1925]

Post by fireheadman » Mon Aug 11, 2025 1:07 pm

reserving this for some photos

In the meantime, here is a walk around I took a couple weekends ago. Just washed the dust off her.
https://youtu.be/nywJRSV3TEY

As I am quickly learning, this isn't a "true" 1911 Model-T.
I seem to have a frankenstien Model-T that my grandfather modified over time.

So if ya see something out of place or from another era/year, let me know. I do not have any intentions of changing anything to put her back to original. I am more interested in making her run and let other enjoy the history. So aside from the body being a aftermarket (guessing a commerial delivery body or some type?), the rest is just original from whatever year.
Last edited by fireheadman on Mon Aug 11, 2025 1:21 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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fireheadman
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2025 1:26 pm
First Name: Ben
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Location: Castle Rock, CO

Re: Ben's Model-T Pie Wagon [1911-1925]

Post by fireheadman » Mon Aug 11, 2025 1:09 pm

here's something I am curious about... in the back of the pie wagon are a few parts (black metal pieces) that I am unsure where they go to.
Looks like maybe they go under the cab or in the engine compartment? Or maybe they dont go anywhere are are for some other vehicle?

anyone know something about these?
25-07-28 15-35-08 7386.jpg
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RajoRacer
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Re: Ben's Model-T Pie Wagon [1911-1925]

Post by RajoRacer » Mon Aug 11, 2025 1:55 pm

Appear to be some type of engine compartments pans & a set of '26 - '27 hood shelves. Nice rig, by the way !


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Re: Ben's Model-T Pie Wagon [1911-1925]

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Mon Aug 11, 2025 3:06 pm

1912 was basically the only model year in which Ford offered the model T in a Ford factory supplied delivery car. However, literally hundreds of after-market coach builders offered locally built bodies for the model T all across the country and even around the world during all years of the model T.
Modern era reproductions of the delivery car bodies have been offered since the 1950s and are still available today.
Regardless the body's origin, it is a wonderful looking and well styled model T delivery car!
Enjoy it, and drive it often.

Model T Fords handle local driving very well. And many people still enjoy driving them on long trips. To begin with, avoid high speed roads, and make sure the T is well sorted to function properly. Brakes are not great, but with extra care they are adequate. Modern braking "improvements" are available, however some people love those, and others do not like them. (I prefer my cars "era correct".)

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Topic author
fireheadman
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2025 1:26 pm
First Name: Ben
Last Name: Piraro
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Model-T Pie Wagon
Location: Castle Rock, CO

Re: Ben's Model-T Pie Wagon [1911-1925]

Post by fireheadman » Mon Aug 11, 2025 3:21 pm

RajoRacer wrote:
Mon Aug 11, 2025 1:55 pm
Appear to be some type of engine compartments pans & a set of '26 - '27 hood shelves. Nice rig, by the way !
Thanks for that info... I will set these aside for now, this was driving me crazing trying to figure out how/where they mounted.

Wayne Sheldon wrote:
Mon Aug 11, 2025 3:06 pm
1912 was basically the only model year in which Ford offered the model T in a Ford factory supplied delivery car. However, literally hundreds of after-market coach builders offered locally built bodies for the model T all across the country and even around the world during all years of the model T.
Modern era reproductions of the delivery car bodies have been offered since the 1950s and are still available today.
Regardless the body's origin, it is a wonderful looking and well styled model T delivery car!
Enjoy it, and drive it often.

Model T Fords handle local driving very well. And many people still enjoy driving them on long trips. To begin with, avoid high speed roads, and make sure the T is well sorted to function properly. Brakes are not great, but with extra care they are adequate. Modern braking "improvements" are available, however some people love those, and others do not like them. (I prefer my cars "era correct".)
brakes are #1 on my list once I know she will run good. Guessing there might be a few stories and posts about the different types on this forum.
Correct me where wrong on this...

Rocky Mountain Brakes:
  • concerned with them not stopping to great when wet
  • the lack of braking in reverse
  • better appearance and more fitting to the era
  • cost effection upgrade from stock with minor modification to brake pedal
Sure Stop Brakes:
  • stops in either direction with most control and in wet conditions
  • can present a disturbing appearance to some people seeing discs on a wooden spoked wheel vehicle
  • requires a little more modification and more expensive upgrade than RMB unit
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A Whiteman
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Re: Ben's Model-T Pie Wagon [1911-1925]

Post by A Whiteman » Mon Aug 11, 2025 3:27 pm

Hi Ben, thanks for sharing your great story. Welcome to the 'affliction' as it is known! :-)
Enjoy the journey
Kind regards
Adrian

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Tbird
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Re: Ben's Model-T Pie Wagon [1911-1925]

Post by Tbird » Mon Aug 11, 2025 4:31 pm

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 at all. The most important thing is to enjoy it, most people will probably say it's a Model A and their grandpa had one exactly like it... lol
Keep us updated!


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Re: Ben's Model-T Pie Wagon [1911-1925]

Post by Allan » Mon Aug 11, 2025 7:21 pm

Hello Ben. You are blessed with a really nice, interesting car. Being a commercial vehicle makes it all the more interesting.

I would not be in a rush to fit any aftermarket brakes. They work only on the back wheels, and they rely on the same skinny footprint as the standard T foot brake. If you have to, the T brakes will lock the back wheels, like the accessory ones. Accessory brakes can be re-assuring, but if you drive a T in a manner which makes you dependent on them, you are asking too much.

Rather, I would encourage you to learn to drive the car within it's capabilities. Drive at T speeds, leave plenty of room to stop, plan stops ahead as much as you can, use the engine to brake, and drive as though every other driver is a nitwit. An old timer advised me to drive as though you have no brakes. This is a challenge that I often take up around town, and it involves all of the above tips.

Others will have different perspectives.

Allan from down under.

Allan from down under

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fireheadman
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First Name: Ben
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Re: Ben's Model-T Pie Wagon [1911-1925]

Post by fireheadman » Wed Aug 13, 2025 5:55 pm

Made some big progress today.... Ron (our president of the Mile High Pedal Pushers) came out this morning to take a look and work his magic on her. Here's a couple videos of the 1st Day Running in a long time! I'm pretty stoked about this.

I now have a laundry list of things to replace, rebuild, tweak/tune....etc.
So glad this is working out this way!

Here's a couple videos I took today. (Question: Is there a way to post inline videos or just links is what we have available?)
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/F0fsKMiM2Pk

I didn't realize the workout you get from starting these things...
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/B41nnYCMK1Y

I'll post a list of things I need to do.....
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Re: Ben's Model-T Pie Wagon [1911-1925]

Post by perry kete » Wed Aug 13, 2025 6:34 pm

So glad you got it running but you may want to be careful using your right hand to crank it with. Check past forum posts on using your left hand to prevent a broken arm if it kicks back on you.
1922 Coupe & 1927 Touring


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Re: Ben's Model-T Pie Wagon [1911-1925]

Post by mtntee20 » Wed Aug 13, 2025 8:31 pm

Ben, That's so exciting to see her run!
If Ron can't get it done, no one can.

I know most of us are right handed but cranking left handed is much safer!

I hope you can make it up to the Fairmount Cemetery show on Sunday. I would NOT recommend driving you truck that far until you have more drive time locally to expose any problems. You don't want to get stuck / broken down between Castle Rock and Aurora.

CONGRATULATIONS on the first start. Always an exciting event and extremely satisfying.

Terry


















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Re: Ben's Model-T Pie Wagon [1911-1925]

Post by Allan » Wed Aug 13, 2025 9:19 pm

Sounds sweet Ben. Starting gets much easier as the car is limbered up and the starter becomes more familiar with the process. You will get the hang of it. I'd love a workspace like you have!
Hand cranking can be injurious. The correct timing is essential, and setting the advance/retard lever is critical in this. The correct grip on the handle also helps. Keep the thumb on the same side of the handle as the fingers, whether you use your left or right hand. Always engage the handle so you are bulling up when cranking. A quick tug upwards over one compression will do the trick. Stem winding over multi compressions invites problems, as can pushing down to crank. A backfire in either of these two activities invites serious consequences to hands, arms and shoulders.
Happy motoring.
Allan from down under.

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fireheadman
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Re: Ben's Model-T Pie Wagon [1911-1925]

Post by fireheadman » Wed Aug 13, 2025 11:29 pm

Tried it this evening with the left hand/arm... since I"m new to this it should be a quick and easy adjustment for me.
Showed my uncle the video, he turns 96 tomorrow and was very impressed, excited and proud to see her running again.

Gotta start my parts list tomorrow..

Appreciate all the comments!
Member: Mile High Pedal Pushers - Denver, Colorado Chapter

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