Streetcar bell on older cars
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Topic author - Posts: 180
- Joined: Thu Feb 18, 2021 10:19 pm
- First Name: Bryan
- Last Name: Tutton
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Model T
- Location: Southwest, MI
Streetcar bell on older cars
When i first started looking at early brass cars I noticed that many had bells that operated with a foot button. I was told the bells were for use in the city because the horses were familiar with trolly bells, but were startled by the squeeze bulb horns. I was wondering how long these bells were in use and why I don't see them for sale very often. Does anyone know the history of these bells?? The car I am restoring was built in late 1913 and I was wondering if this is something people were still adding to their cars at that time.
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- Posts: 3676
- 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: Streetcar bell on older cars
Commonly called a Bermuda bell, they were mostly used on earlier cars, think 1905 and earlier. However, they were still being sold as after-market accessories for automobiles into the late 1910s. So if you want one on your 1913, as an after-market accessory, it wouldn't be really wrong.
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- 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
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Re: Streetcar bell on older cars
As Wayne posted. Here are some pictures, in older post.
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/128544.html
Most have threaded post pedal, you mount the bell under the floorboard, and press down firmly and quickly release for a loud “Ding-Dong” sound. Can be heard very well. Some have loose removable pedal posts, with the foot pad having a hole on the edge for a chain so it doesn’t get lost. Have one on my ‘27 and it’s fun for the wife to tap and sound off.
They made a come back in the 1950’s when modern repro were sold by J C Whitney, so some 50s cars used them too.
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/128544.html
Most have threaded post pedal, you mount the bell under the floorboard, and press down firmly and quickly release for a loud “Ding-Dong” sound. Can be heard very well. Some have loose removable pedal posts, with the foot pad having a hole on the edge for a chain so it doesn’t get lost. Have one on my ‘27 and it’s fun for the wife to tap and sound off.
They made a come back in the 1950’s when modern repro were sold by J C Whitney, so some 50s cars used them 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
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- Posts: 3384
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Morsher
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925TT, 1926 Martin-Parry bodied wagon, 1927 mercury bodied speedster
- Location: Norwalk Ohio
Re: Streetcar bell on older cars
Shameless plug, I posted one for sale last night.