MTFCA Forum

I recently purchased a 1916 coupelet. I understand about 60 of the 1915, 1916 and 1917 coupelets with the folding top are in existence. I think it would be interesting to find out how many of the coupelets with the folding top are owned by MTFCA members or by non-members that members know about.
A photo or two of your coupelet along with a description of the cars condition and what is correct, not correct, or debatable about your car could be quite educational.
What is not correct on my car, that I know for sure, is the brass trim on the lights, no windows in the top and the blue paint on the body. The steering wheel is too small to be correct. I am going to leave it as it is because I like the brass trim and the blue paint, and I do not want to remove the top to put the windows in. The brass trim around the side windows may or may not be correct. I am missing the magneto horn, the horn button on the steering column, and I do not have brass valve stems.
The coupelet body was found in 1974 in the woods around Spokane, Wa. The metal was excellent but the wood was poor. There was no chassis with it. The finder restored the car in the 1975-1990 timeframe as a 1915. In around June 2020 there was an ad on Craigslist for a 1915 coupelet for sale. I tried to contact the owner but got no response. In June of 2021 I received a call from someone I did not know. He said he had a car on Craigslist about a year ago and was I still interested. I asked what the car was. He replied it was a 1915 coupelet. I vaguely remembered the ad and told him I was interested. After talking a bunch, getting some poor photos, talking with Russ Furstnow, who was very helpful, and having a friend who lived near Spokane and knew Model Ts check out the car, I bought it.

You've seen mine before but here it is. 1916 Ford model t coupelet, I've tried my hardest to leave it as Henry built it, no additives. The only non-original parts on the car is the hood (I have the original just too lazy to fix it) and the top/interior. Top and interior were done by Ernie Romero using the old upholstery as a template, I don't think Henry could tell a difference. Wheels are by stutzman

This one was manufactured in November 1915 and as you can see it has the port windows in the top. So this is actually the 1916 Coupelet. Body changes were made mid year in some cases. The 1915/16 Coupelet is the first convertible Ford manufactured and the only one in the Model T family. Found in Maine in pieces on a pallet, rescued and restored in the 1980’s by Sylvio Cote a master machinist, this is the same car featured on the cover of Model T Times July/Aug 1987. Senior National 1st place AACA.
Still looks and runs like the day it did coming off the assembly line. Model T’s are amazing!

Only 2 owners of coupelets in the MTFCA that are willing to share?

Here are photos of my Coupelets. I believe most forum users have seen photos of these cars. The 1915 Coupelet just won the Stynoski Award, and I just recently completed the restoration of the 1916 Coupelet. The 1917 Coupelet is possibly the rarest car of the three, with only six known examples of this body style known to exist today. The 1917 Coupelet was featured in Bruce McCalley's Book, "Model T Ford, The Car that Changed the World." I am going to begin the restoration of the 1917 car very soon. I hope this helps, Russ Furstnow