photos of Model T assembly off the train
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
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 - Posts: 6
- Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2020 7:17 pm
- First Name: Chris
- Last Name: Baer
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 0
- Location: Oak Bluffs, MA
- Board Member Since: 2020
photos of Model T assembly off the train
Hi all-
I'm writing an article for our local newspaper about the guys who used to assemble the Model Ts in Woods Hole, Mass. after they came off the train. Years ago I was given a set of photos by the grandson of the Ford dealer (Walter Renear) in Vineyard Haven where they were then taken by ferry to be sold.
But I'd love your help giving these photos context for the article. What do you see? How would you caption them? What year would you guess these photos were taken? (Somebody suggested 1922-3?)
The numbered series of eleven photos can be found here: http://history.vineyard.net/photos/renear/r113.htm (click on "Next" to see them all.)
Thank you for your eyes and expertise!
Chris
cbaer(at)vineyard.net
I'm writing an article for our local newspaper about the guys who used to assemble the Model Ts in Woods Hole, Mass. after they came off the train. Years ago I was given a set of photos by the grandson of the Ford dealer (Walter Renear) in Vineyard Haven where they were then taken by ferry to be sold.
But I'd love your help giving these photos context for the article. What do you see? How would you caption them? What year would you guess these photos were taken? (Somebody suggested 1922-3?)
The numbered series of eleven photos can be found here: http://history.vineyard.net/photos/renear/r113.htm (click on "Next" to see them all.)
Thank you for your eyes and expertise!
Chris
cbaer(at)vineyard.net
-
Topic author - Posts: 6
- Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2020 7:17 pm
- First Name: Chris
- Last Name: Baer
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 0
- Location: Oak Bluffs, MA
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Attached are some of the photos:
-
Topic author - Posts: 6
- Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2020 7:17 pm
- First Name: Chris
- Last Name: Baer
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 0
- Location: Oak Bluffs, MA
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
And some more:
-
- Posts: 1513
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:47 am
- First Name: Herb
- Last Name: Iffrig
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Torpedo, 1918 TT Hucksters
- Location: St. Peters, MO
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Great pictures! I have seen some like those but never the ones you posted.
I kind of reminds me of one of the exhibitions that I have seen that the St. Louis Model T Club has put on in the past where they assemble a Model T in a few minutes!
I kind of reminds me of one of the exhibitions that I have seen that the St. Louis Model T Club has put on in the past where they assemble a Model T in a few minutes!
-
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:12 am
- First Name: Joseph
- Last Name: M
- Location: MI
- MTFCA Number: 0
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
No later than 1920, the round fuel tank changed to oval in 1920. Also it looks as though the drive shaft spool is the earlier style using studs instead of the later style with exposed bolts, so 1918 to 1920.
"Remember son, there are two ways to do this: The right way, and your way” Thanks Dad, I love you too.
LOOKING FOR A LUFKIN No. 9A Height Gage Attachment.
LOOKING FOR A LUFKIN No. 9A Height Gage Attachment.
-
- Posts: 483
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 1:19 pm
- First Name: Darryl
- Last Name: Bobzin
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 2, '25 T Runabouts, '14 Touring
- Location: Kannapolis,NC
- MTFCA Number: 27211
- Board Member Since: 2016
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Wonder how scratched up these cars got shipping them that way, and then assembling them at the loading dock ?
-
- Posts: 543
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:40 pm
- First Name: Andrew
- Last Name: Blaydon
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Cut-down touring
- Location: Middletown
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Great point. If we think these things were sold in the same shape a modern day restoration puts them in, i would venture that we are mistaken!
Also lends caution to those nay-sayers who look at an original looking car and tear it apart because "that's not the way Ford built them". Doesn't look like those guys are following a manual as they assemble. I bet we'd be surprised on what passed muster with these railroad yard assembled cars!
Absolutely awesome photos, thank you for sharing!!
-
- Posts: 538
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:02 pm
- First Name: Vernon
- Last Name: Worley
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: October 26, 1926 Coupe
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- MTFCA Number: 49462
- Contact:
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Love the white tires and the glossy cowl paint job.
Some unknown car to me the the background appears to have natural wood spokes.
Some unknown car to me the the background appears to have natural wood spokes.
Vern (Vieux Carre)
-
- Posts: 4957
- Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:57 pm
- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Gregush
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 cutdown PU, 1920 Dodge touring, 1948 F2 Ford flat head 6 pickup 3 speed
- Location: Portland Or
- MTFCA Number: 52564
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
The unknown car in the background of picture 6 is a Dodge Brothers.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup
1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup
-
- Posts: 5205
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
- First Name: Allan
- Last Name: Bennett
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
- Location: Gawler, Australia
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
The rear axle looks like the 1913-14 style! I have seen that in a carryover 1915 car, but not on a black radiator car. Otherwise,Ii would put it in the 1917 basket. The non demountable wheels appear to have round felloes, whereas the felloes were square in 1918 and later.
This from the eyes of a Canadian car user.
Allan from down under.
This from the eyes of a Canadian car user.
Allan from down under.
-
- 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: photos of Model T assembly off the train
I wonder how they kept the seat cushions from falling out?
-
- Posts: 1182
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:27 am
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Codman
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Youring
- Location: Naples, FL 34120
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Great photos! Thanks for the posting.
-
- Posts: 284
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:36 pm
- First Name: Don
- Last Name: Demio
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919 T
- Location: Tennessee
- MTFCA Number: 27167
- MTFCI Number: 20405
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Would the cowl light mounting brackets in photo #8 be a clue that this body is a 15-16 or non starter later car? Additionally in photo #5 the rear floorboards are complete so this body is not set up for a battery and in photos #2 & #4 the frame does not appear to have a battery box.
-
- Posts: 3907
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:00 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Kuehn
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
- Location: Texas
- MTFCA Number: 28924
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Interesting photos of how a lot of Model T’s were put together.
On the dock where this car was assembled with others as time went by there is no telling what was used for misplaced nuts, bolts and etc.
This is what drives the purists among us crazy when seeing photos of new T’s being treated this way!
On the dock where this car was assembled with others as time went by there is no telling what was used for misplaced nuts, bolts and etc.
This is what drives the purists among us crazy when seeing photos of new T’s being treated this way!
-
- Posts: 558
- Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2020 1:41 pm
- First Name: Kevin
- Last Name: Matthiesen
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 26 T Coupe, 16 T Open Express, 21 TT Flatbed. 15 T Roadster, 13 & 25 T Speedster , 51 Mercury 4 door sport sedan, 67 Mercury Cougar
- Location: Madera CA 93636
- MTFCA Number: 11598
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
The touring car is a late 1918 to early 1919 model year T. Note the combo head light - horn switch, over axle front wishbone, rear square clipped spring, 5 panel rear touring body, nonstarter nondemountable wheels. There must be a closed car to assemble still in the box car, note the early round type demountable spare bracket and rim in picture in front of the tourning body front. Also note that it must have been a lot of work to get the car from box car and assemble because some one made a hand written note on finished car photo about being glad to be finished ! It must have been up to the new car dealer or owner to mount the fenders, running boards. and aprons , hs ha !
-
- Posts: 207
- Joined: Fri Oct 04, 2019 9:31 am
- First Name: Kathy
- Last Name: Tagert
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Runabout, 1918 Coupelet, ‘21 Centerdoor, ‘22 coupes, ‘23 Roadster and touring, ‘25 roadster pickup, Fordor, and coupe, ‘26 Coupe
- Location: Destin FL
- MTFCA Number: 32467
- MTFCI Number: 24412
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Great photos and a wonderful piece of T history in them.
Thanks for sharing...
Thanks for sharing...
-
- Posts: 1419
- Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2019 2:29 pm
- First Name: Ed
- Last Name: Martin
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1909 Touring
- Location: Idaho
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Well now, finally proof of what I’ve been saying for years. You must take your pants off at the end of the assembly of a model t to be authentic.
-
- Posts: 1049
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:53 am
- First Name: Terry
- Last Name: Woods
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Model T coupe, 1926 4 door sedan
- Location: Cibolo (San Antonio), TX
- MTFCI Number: 20180
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Well, even before I saw the last photo which showed the box car from a less severe angle, I could tell you is was a Great Northern R.R. box car.
-
- Posts: 5205
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
- First Name: Allan
- Last Name: Bennett
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
- Location: Gawler, Australia
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
You may be correct Terry, but what year was it made?
Allan from down under.
Allan from down under.
-
- Posts: 205
- Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:57 pm
- First Name: Jeffrey
- Last Name: Hausey
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Early 23 Touring
- Location: Anaheim, Ca.
- MTFCA Number: 51193
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Look close. There are shipping straps around them.Original Smith wrote: ↑Fri Jan 01, 2021 9:06 amI wonder how they kept the seat cushions from falling out?
-
- Posts: 1045
- Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 6:06 pm
- First Name: Susanne
- Last Name: Rohner
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Late '15 touring, "Angel".
- Location: Valfabbrica, (central) Italy
- MTFCA Number: 464
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- Board Member Since: 1999
- Contact:
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
I'm going to guess late 1918 - there's still a coilbox switch, I don't see a starter button forward of the gas tank or a battery "box"... but the demountable rim being there would tell me it's after 1917...
Couple things I noticed - the rear tires have a tread on them, the fronts don't. Also the shine on the bodywork - I suspect they packed those freight cars a lot more carefully than we give them credit for... I wonder if the bodies were shipped in a separate freight car, or ??
The other thing I'm wondering is if any (or all) of the people assembled there own one (or more) of the cars on that train, ergo the smiles on their faces...
Couple things I noticed - the rear tires have a tread on them, the fronts don't. Also the shine on the bodywork - I suspect they packed those freight cars a lot more carefully than we give them credit for... I wonder if the bodies were shipped in a separate freight car, or ??
The other thing I'm wondering is if any (or all) of the people assembled there own one (or more) of the cars on that train, ergo the smiles on their faces...
-
- Posts: 4111
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:31 pm
- First Name: Dan
- Last Name: Hatch
- Location: Alabama
- MTFCA Number: 49974
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Many years ago I saw a ring binder of pictures of how cars were shipped in rail cars.
The binder was part of a display for schools that I think the club put together for show and tell in schools. Any idea where that got off to?
It showed a lot of good info on how Ts were sent to dealers. Dan
The binder was part of a display for schools that I think the club put together for show and tell in schools. Any idea where that got off to?
It showed a lot of good info on how Ts were sent to dealers. Dan
-
Topic author - Posts: 6
- Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2020 7:17 pm
- First Name: Chris
- Last Name: Baer
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 0
- Location: Oak Bluffs, MA
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Here are a couple of details cropped from the shots above, in case it's helpful to see the details...
-
Topic author - Posts: 6
- Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2020 7:17 pm
- First Name: Chris
- Last Name: Baer
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 0
- Location: Oak Bluffs, MA
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Another detail:
-
- Posts: 1049
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:53 am
- First Name: Terry
- Last Name: Woods
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Model T coupe, 1926 4 door sedan
- Location: Cibolo (San Antonio), TX
- MTFCI Number: 20180
-
- Posts: 558
- Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2020 1:41 pm
- First Name: Kevin
- Last Name: Matthiesen
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 26 T Coupe, 16 T Open Express, 21 TT Flatbed. 15 T Roadster, 13 & 25 T Speedster , 51 Mercury 4 door sport sedan, 67 Mercury Cougar
- Location: Madera CA 93636
- MTFCA Number: 11598
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
There is something that I didn't notice the other day but see today. In the picture of the tourning body just outside of the boxcar, the picture that has 2 guys leaning on the front seat back, I can see daylight in the body cross sill. A closer look shows a small round hole in the sill about where the electric self start switch, if so equipped, would come up threw the floor. I now see that what I thought was a photo flaw, the light at the guys head laying in the body in another photo, is this starter switch hole. This means that these pictures are from mid 1919 or that Ford had plans for self starters on open cars in later 1918 but the War time shortages delayed things.
-
Topic author - Posts: 6
- Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2020 7:17 pm
- First Name: Chris
- Last Name: Baer
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 0
- Location: Oak Bluffs, MA
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
This one? (Here's a less processed version of that detail before I retouched that crease in the photo):
-
- Posts: 1045
- Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 6:06 pm
- First Name: Susanne
- Last Name: Rohner
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Late '15 touring, "Angel".
- Location: Valfabbrica, (central) Italy
- MTFCA Number: 464
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- Board Member Since: 1999
- Contact:
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Wow, good catch, thank you!!!
-
- 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: photos of Model T assembly off the train
This is absolutely awesome! This is the first time I have seen pictures of what it was like to assemble a "knocked-down" Ford automobile out of a boxcar!
And the analysis by all the experts revealed a LOT of info in addition! Glad we have people with sharp eyes!
And the analysis by all the experts revealed a LOT of info in addition! Glad we have people with sharp eyes!
-
- Posts: 5205
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
- First Name: Allan
- Last Name: Bennett
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
- Location: Gawler, Australia
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Chris, thanks for the blowups. I can see now I was mistaken re the fatter 1913-4 diff centre.
AllAn from down under.
AllAn from down under.
-
- Posts: 3299
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:56 am
- First Name: Dan
- Last Name: Treace
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '23 cutoff, '25 touring, '27 touring
- Location: North Central FL
- MTFCA Number: 4838
- MTFCI Number: 115
- Board Member Since: 2000
- Contact:
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Really in awe. Keep looking at the improved images and the details revealed.
Spied the tool roll on its side and the new copper plate oil can too!
Spied the tool roll on its side and the new copper plate oil can too!
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
-
- Posts: 1419
- Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2019 2:29 pm
- First Name: Ed
- Last Name: Martin
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1909 Touring
- Location: Idaho
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
When thinking about the incredible number of Ts that were made, you can easily fantasize about one still in a shipping crate sitting in a barn on a farm someplace....
-
- Posts: 4308
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Tomaso
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1919 Centerdoor, 1924 TT C-Cab Express, 1925 Racer
- Location: Longbranch, WA
- MTFCA Number: 14972
- MTFCI Number: 15411
- Board Member Since: 2001
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Back in the sixties, my Dad went to a warehouse auction near the Seattle waterfront to bid on a new Model T Touring similar to the photo above - no, we didn't bring it home !
-
- Posts: 6796
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:51 am
- First Name: Richard
- Last Name: Eagle
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 TR 1914 TR 1915 Rd 1920 Spdstr 1922 Coupe 1925 Tudor
- Location: Idaho Falls, ID
- MTFCA Number: 1219
- Contact:
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
I have mentioned before of the local Harley dealer (mid 1960s) telling me how he and his brother would go down to the freight yard and watch them unload the "New Fords". The excitement of a youngster came through the old fellow's eyes as he talked about how sweet they sounded when new. He said they didn't sound that way for long. I don't know if the Ts arrived in Idaho Falls knocked down or fully assembled but the loading dock sure reminds me of his remembrance.
I have certainly enjoyed this post and it's photos.
Thanks
Rich
I have certainly enjoyed this post and it's photos.
Thanks
Rich
When did I do that?
-
- Posts: 3907
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:00 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Kuehn
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
- Location: Texas
- MTFCA Number: 28924
Re: photos of Model T assembly off the train
Interesting photo of the T shipping crates and what they were made of!
I wonder if they were sent back to the factory. If not the locals probably would get them for use on the farm. I’ll bet you could build a good barn or building with several of those crates.
It would make a good chicken coup at the least!
I wonder if they were sent back to the factory. If not the locals probably would get them for use on the farm. I’ll bet you could build a good barn or building with several of those crates.
It would make a good chicken coup at the least!