MTFCA Forum

Hello Guys,
I am trying to get the wood ready for re-upholster.
After taking the back of the back seat loose from the wood, the damage to the metal work seems worse.
The left side of the panel looks like it could tear more.
The screws don't seem to be right.
Looking for opinions.
Is this fixable?
How to fix?
Is the wood worth saving?
Should the screws be replace with flat heads?

Definitely fixable, and certainly it must be fixed before any upholstering is done. I don't know why that large round head slotted wood screw is there. It's hard to tell from the photos if you have a belt rail or the steam-bent tack strip; if I had to say I'd guess it's the belt rail. The tack strips went under the folded-over top edge of the panels and were secured by flat head wood screws going down through the lip and into the wood. You will want to remove the wood before cleaning, aligning, clamping, and then mig welding the crack.

i have done 300 bodies. i would take out the old wood then sand blast to see what you really have.looks like a 23-25 body.charley

The T is a '27.
I will make an appointment with the sheet metal and paint guy in the next couple of weeks.
The car has been in my wife family for 57 years. It would be nice if it stays in the family for another 57 years.
Might as well get it done right.

Nothing is more expensive than a cheap fix.