1916 Coupelet Restoration
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Topic author - Posts: 310
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:01 am
- First Name: Russ
- Last Name: Furstnow
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 Touring, 1913 Touring, 1914 Runabout, 1915 Coupelet, 1916 Coupelet
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
- MTFCA Number: 28
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- MTFCI Number: 10546
1916 Coupelet Restoration
It's time to move along with another restoration, and this 1916 Coupelet is my latest project. The car was purchased by Mike Walker, who had worked on the chassis, but did not get the body completed when I purchased the car from him. I had Ray Wells re-wood the body and had my good friend massage the body panels and paint the car in Limco "Ultra Black" single stage urethane. The upholstery and top were completed by Ernie Romero of El Cajon, CA. The engine was rebuilt by Jim Blair of Tucson, AZ and I completed the assembly and restoration of the engine assembly. The engine, with a casting date of 12-27-15 and SN: 1025XXX, determine that the car was completed on December 30, 1915. Interestingly, I have an original photo of a new 1916 Coupelet at the factory with black and brass trimmed side and head lamps, and I have a set of these lamps I may use. I have completed the front and rear end rebuilds and the frame is also ready to paint. Here are a few photos of the Coupelet:
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Topic author - Posts: 310
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:01 am
- First Name: Russ
- Last Name: Furstnow
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 Touring, 1913 Touring, 1914 Runabout, 1915 Coupelet, 1916 Coupelet
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
- MTFCA Number: 28
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- MTFCI Number: 10546
Re: 1916 Coupelet Restoration
Here is the original photo of the coupelet with brass trimmed lamps and the coupelet body, as found, being initially disassembled. As I make additional progress, I'll add photos. BTW, the 1916 coupelet is a huge improvement over the 1915 coupelet with the small side windows, larger rear window and the trunk lid on the top of the trunk. Also, the 1916 car had a dark green headliner rather than the blue liner on the 1915.
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- Posts: 1297
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:42 pm
- First Name: Frank
- Last Name: van Ekeren
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 touring, 1916 pick-up, 1924 coupe, 1926 touring, 1927 touring
- Location: Rosedale Vic Australia
Re: 1916 Coupelet Restoration
A T and model that you and those who have contributed to it's restoration should be very proud of.
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- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed Jan 29, 2020 12:20 pm
- First Name: Dan
- Last Name: Ryan
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913
- Location: Goodhue MN
Re: 1916 Coupelet Restoration
It will be done right ,when Russ does it.thanks for preserving history,hope to see you in Chickasaw next March.
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- Posts: 208
- Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 9:24 pm
- First Name: Warwick
- Last Name: Landy
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 LHD USA Touring 1916 RHD Canadian Touring 1916 Pickup
- Location: Trarlagon Victoria Australia
Re: 1916 Coupelet Restoration
Two Couplets for one man is just not fair! Really enjoyed the article on the restoration of your '15. I'm sure the 16 will be equally as beautiful.
I look froward to future updates of this restoration. My ambition is to one day own a Couplet. I keep a file of all that are advertised,displayed or on tours for reference and inspiration. I notice that Ray Wells has a Couplet body under construction currently. Would this be an alternative to put on my 1916 restored Canadian chassis?
I look froward to future updates of this restoration. My ambition is to one day own a Couplet. I keep a file of all that are advertised,displayed or on tours for reference and inspiration. I notice that Ray Wells has a Couplet body under construction currently. Would this be an alternative to put on my 1916 restored Canadian chassis?
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Topic author - Posts: 310
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:01 am
- First Name: Russ
- Last Name: Furstnow
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 Touring, 1913 Touring, 1914 Runabout, 1915 Coupelet, 1916 Coupelet
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
- MTFCA Number: 28
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- MTFCI Number: 10546
Re: 1916 Coupelet Restoration
Warwick, I've never seen a coupelet body that Ray has reproduced, but I own a 1912 Torpedo he built and the quality is quite good. I would want to see the coupelet body in person, and if you have an original body to compare it to, that would also be important. I can say there are many subtle differences between the 1915 and the 1916 coupelet bodies. I hope this helps. Russ Furstnow
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- Posts: 3643
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:13 pm
- First Name: Wayne
- Last Name: Sheldon
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Runabout 1913 Speedster
- Location: Grass Valley California, USA
- Board Member Since: 2005
Re: 1916 Coupelet Restoration
Oh so very wonderful! Happy to see you doing this one. These special cars need the best of the best to give them the restorations they deserve.
I know of one other couplet that restoration was beginning on last year, someone living not far from you. I wonder if that is the one Ray Wells is working on? He was talking about having Ray rebuild the body.
I know of one other couplet that restoration was beginning on last year, someone living not far from you. I wonder if that is the one Ray Wells is working on? He was talking about having Ray rebuild the body.
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- Posts: 474
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:49 am
- First Name: Mike
- Last Name: Walker
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 Roadster Pickup
- Location: NW Arkansas
- MTFCA Number: 314
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
Re: 1916 Coupelet Restoration
Good going, Russ.
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- Posts: 203
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:09 am
- First Name: Charlie
- Last Name: Gagel
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 12 Tourings(2),14 Tourings(2),15 Touring,22Touring,22 TT,21 Fire Truck,14 Chief Car
- Location: Orange, CT
- MTFCA Number: 8377
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- MTFCI Number: 22437
Re: 1916 Coupelet Restoration
Nice Russ. Does that mean we get to judge both next year?
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- Posts: 1431
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 1:53 pm
- First Name: Rob
- Last Name: Heyen
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Models B, F, K, N, Ford racer and 3 Model T
- Location: Eastern Nebraska
Re: 1916 Coupelet Restoration
Looks great Russ. Thank you for sharing, and please keep us posted as it comes together.
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- Posts: 3284
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:43 am
- First Name: Larry
- Last Name: Smith
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 Touring, 13 Roadster, 17 Coupelet, 25 Roadster P/U
- Location: Lomita, California
- MTFCA Number: 121
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- MTFCI Number: 16310
Re: 1916 Coupelet Restoration
Russ, it's good to see you have the correct breather cap! Remember how for so long I had to fight with you to get you to see what is correct?
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Topic author - Posts: 310
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:01 am
- First Name: Russ
- Last Name: Furstnow
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 Touring, 1913 Touring, 1914 Runabout, 1915 Coupelet, 1916 Coupelet
- Location: Flagstaff, AZ
- MTFCA Number: 28
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- MTFCI Number: 10546
Re: 1916 Coupelet Restoration
Charlie, I'm not sure I'll have the 1916 done, but sheltering in place for the past few months has provided me with time for my restorations!!
Larry, Your comments are always relevant! Thanks for the support on judging.
Of note, the 1916 coupelet had a trunk lid on top of the trunk, exactly like the later coupes. I believe if Ford had installed this trunk lid and the small side windows in the 1915 coupelet that was introduced in October 1914, the car would have been a sales success. Also, on the 1916 coupelet, there is a license plate bracket that was missing on the 1915. Also, the sidelamp brackets are unique to the coupelet.
Larry, Your comments are always relevant! Thanks for the support on judging.
Of note, the 1916 coupelet had a trunk lid on top of the trunk, exactly like the later coupes. I believe if Ford had installed this trunk lid and the small side windows in the 1915 coupelet that was introduced in October 1914, the car would have been a sales success. Also, on the 1916 coupelet, there is a license plate bracket that was missing on the 1915. Also, the sidelamp brackets are unique to the coupelet.
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- Posts: 339
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:47 pm
- First Name: Gene
- Last Name: Emering
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 Touring and 1924 Touring
- Location: Newton, New Jersey
- MTFCA Number: 49671
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: 1916 Coupelet Restoration
Russ,
Your Couplet project looks fantastic.
Congratulations!
Gene
Your Couplet project looks fantastic.
Congratulations!
Gene
Gene Emering
Newton, New Jersey
Newton, New Jersey
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- Posts: 1554
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:16 am
- First Name: Don
- Last Name: Allen
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Touring
- Location: Houston, TX
- MTFCA Number: 50001
Re: 1916 Coupelet Restoration
What a beautiful car. Thanks for sharing the photos and info.
1924 Touring
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- Posts: 1122
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 6:51 pm
- First Name: Keith
- Last Name: Townsend
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: late 1911 touring, 1915 runabout, 1919 touring, brass speedster
- Location: Gresham, Orygun
- MTFCA Number: 14778
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- MTFCI Number: 16305
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: 1916 Coupelet Restoration
Nice looking car Russ.