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Removable turtle decks through the years 13-27
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 12:24 am
by JTT3
I was wondering about the removable turtle decks that Ford produced for the model T. Am I missing any?
Re: Removable turtle decks through the years 13-27
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 12:25 am
by JTT3
Oh 1923-24 roadster
Re: Removable turtle decks through the years 13-27
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 12:30 am
by JTT3
What about these? If not Ford then whom?
Re: Removable turtle decks through the years 13-27
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 12:35 am
by Mark Gregush
The trunk on the coupe shown is not readily removable, it is inset into the body and there would be a big hole in the back of the body with it removed.
Re: Removable turtle decks through the years 13-27
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 1:22 am
by JTT3
Mark I believe you may be right though I’ve seen this picture of one that was removed. I know you have a lot of T experience, do you have an idea about the unknown 2 posted. The rusty one looks 26/7 but the curved panel in the back bottom looks, at least to me, larger and the other one pictured it looks 23-25ish but the lid and latches are different but look factory.
Re: Removable turtle decks through the years 13-27
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 1:26 am
by Mark Gregush
Yes but if you will look close the wood sills are cut just in front of it. The sheet metal along the front curved edge is nailed to the inside of the pillars on ether side. Yes it can be removed but not in the same way as the normal T-deck.
Re: Removable turtle decks through the years 13-27
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 1:34 am
by JTT3
Agree on closer inspection. Any thoughts on the other 2?
Re: Removable turtle decks through the years 13-27
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 6:25 am
by doodlebugt
The rusty one can't be 26-7 as there are no mudguard attachment points.
Re: Removable turtle decks through the years 13-27
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 8:26 am
by John L
I would like to find one like number 4. Somebody took the one off on my 23 along time ago, and made a wood box for it. It nice , but I would like the turtle deck instead.
Re: Removable turtle decks through the years 13-27
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 1:57 pm
by Mark Gregush
Just to be clear; the sides and rear panel on the pre 24 style coups are nailed to the underside of the sills like the rest of the body panels. If the sills have been shorten or changed, you would need to need to start at the firewall and work back to renew them. The coupes had a trunk that was part of the body not a T deck that was removable.
http://fordwood.com/images/cpe20new.jpg
Re: Removable turtle decks through the years 13-27
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 2:30 pm
by Original Smith
My '13 is held on by four long 1/4" carriage bolts.
Re: Removable turtle decks through the years 13-27
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2020 3:42 am
by Wayne Sheldon
Quarter inch bolts? I don't have anything surviving to give definitive information on my '15, but I was planning on 5/16 carriage bolts. Always willing to change my plans if better information is available.
Re: Removable turtle decks through the years 13-27
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2020 3:45 am
by Wayne Sheldon
That gray primered turtle deck is interesting. I did see an original speedster kit that used a similar trunk on the back. Don't know if that is it or not?
Saxon had a small turtle deck on their runabouts. But I am fairly certain that it was a slightly different shape than that.
Re: Removable turtle decks through the years 13-27
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2020 10:52 am
by Original Smith
The four carriage bolts in my '13 roadster are not original. They needed replacing. However, the length is correct and size too. All the wood in this car, including the turtle deck is original to the car.
Re: Removable turtle decks through the years 13-27
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2020 2:31 pm
by Wayne Sheldon
Thank you Larry S
