Update on accident

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
RGould1910
Posts: 973
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2019 8:16 am
First Name: Richard
Last Name: Gould
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1910 touring, 1912 roadster , 1927 roadster
Location: Folsom, CA

Update on accident

Post by RGould1910 » Thu Jul 16, 2020 5:48 pm

I was hit by a distracted driver a few weeks ago and thought I'd write a few words on the progress in getting this car back on the road. The insurance co totalled the car as the repair estimate I provided exceeded the $10,000 agreed coverage. They gave me a non-negotiable salvage buyback of $2800 which I accepted knowing I could do the chassis work myself and come out ok.
The bulk of the chassis damage was to the front end. I replaced the axle, the perches, the shackles, one spindle arm, the wishbone and the bottom spring leaf and clips. With careful heating and bending I was able to save the tie rod. The rest was fine. Here's a photo of the front end after repairs. I'll want to test drive the car after I reinstall the radiator just to be sure it tracks the way it should. I called Rootlieb and it looks like the fender and running board are still six weeks out. I forgot how much work was involved in rebuilding a front end. I figured I'd have it done in a week!
20200716_140729.jpg

User avatar

CudaMan
Posts: 2385
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:17 pm
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Strange
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Cut Off Touring (now a pickup)
Location: Hillsboro, MO
MTFCA Number: 30944
MTFCI Number: 23667
Board Member Since: 2013

Re: Update on accident

Post by CudaMan » Thu Jul 16, 2020 6:05 pm

So glad you are OK and that you and your car will be back on the road soon. :)
Mark Strange
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)

User avatar

RustyFords
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: Update on accident

Post by RustyFords » Fri Jul 17, 2020 10:25 am

Thanks for the update....I was wondering how you were getting along.

Looks like the T is in good hands and on its way to recovery.
1924 Touring

User avatar

Henry K. Lee
Posts: 5339
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:09 am
First Name: Henry
Last Name: Lee
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Many
Location: South Pittsburg, TN
MTFCA Number: 479
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: Update on accident

Post by Henry K. Lee » Fri Jul 17, 2020 10:38 am

Outstanding Richard!


OilyBill
Posts: 552
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 3:51 pm
First Name: William
Last Name: May
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Runabout
Location: Tucson, Arizona

Re: Update on accident

Post by OilyBill » Fri Jul 17, 2020 11:09 am

Thanks for the update! A lot of people are interested in this story, and have been following it.


Wayne Sheldon
Posts: 3637
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: Update on accident

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Fri Jul 17, 2020 5:15 pm

Pleased to hear that you are fixing this one! Our antique cars that have lasted this long should be allowed to continue further, and I know you feel the same way. They should also be driven, enjoyed, and seen.
Thank you for the update.


Darin Hull
Posts: 241
Joined: Fri Apr 17, 2020 2:15 pm
First Name: Darin
Last Name: Hull
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 Model T
Location: Cartersville, GA
MTFCA Number: 29699
MTFCI Number: 25147
Board Member Since: 2010
Contact:

Re: Update on accident

Post by Darin Hull » Fri Jul 17, 2020 6:15 pm

Good update and excellent work saving your T. “There are many like it but this one is mine.”

Darin


Topic author
RGould1910
Posts: 973
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2019 8:16 am
First Name: Richard
Last Name: Gould
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1910 touring, 1912 roadster , 1927 roadster
Location: Folsom, CA

Re: Update on accident

Post by RGould1910 » Fri Jul 17, 2020 6:39 pm

Thanks to all for the encouraging words!
I contacted the painter and he recommended painting all the fenders. I said I'd leave it to his judgment. He comes highly recommended and I've seen his excellent work on a twenties/thirties Buick and a Model A pickup. I'm in the cue for new Rootlieb fenders but it looks like it will be late August or September before they arrive.
With the down time, I'll make new floorboards.
I'll keep you posted.


Wayne Sheldon
Posts: 3637
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: Update on accident

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Fri Jul 17, 2020 8:15 pm

Did you straighten the frame? Or find another?
Sorry about the bum steer on thinking where one was.


Topic author
RGould1910
Posts: 973
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2019 8:16 am
First Name: Richard
Last Name: Gould
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1910 touring, 1912 roadster , 1927 roadster
Location: Folsom, CA

Re: Update on accident

Post by RGould1910 » Sat Jul 18, 2020 9:05 pm

No problem Wayne. I am living with the frame. Everything is straight or appears straight. The doors open and close as before. The radiator fits as it should and the rod is straight. When I installed the front axle assembly, the ball of the wishbone slipped perfectly into the pan sockret without coaxing. That said, the back side of the front cross member is flared where the bottom leaf of the spring bent due to the hit on the drivers side. Ine spite of the damage, the front end is square and the car tracks as it should when driven.
I decided to leave well-nigh alone re the frame and ceoss member.


Wayne Sheldon
Posts: 3637
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: Update on accident

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Sat Jul 18, 2020 11:35 pm

Thanks and glad to hear that Richard! When I looked at the original pictures of the damage I thought maybe just maybe the hit was outside the frame enough that it might have been okay. I have seen quite a few decent looking model Ts found to have bad frames over the years. If it all lines up okay, measures okay, then runs and drives like it should? You should be okay. If it were me? I would probably fix that fender.
Take care and be well my friend.

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic