MTFCA Forum

Looked at a nice 1915 Runabout/pickup this past weekend that is going up for sale soon by a widowed friend of the family. Very neat car well restored with some cool accessories. One being a Savidge Co. steering stabilizer?, an add on dual wishbone, and shocks. Having never seen some of these, I thought I'd post to see if anyone has info. I did drive it and noticed no change in ride or handling on paved roads vs. my standard 14.

Is it a real Roadster or just a cut off touring?
Can’t tell from pictures. Thanks Dan

The add-on wishbone is pretty common - it was changed after Henry had an upset due to the axle turning under when he hit soft sand at high speed. The event actually happened not far from where I live. I think there are some inaccuracies in the attached account (like the year) but you'll get the gist. The wishbone position wasn't changed until 1919 - I suspect because Henry had a bunch of parts to use up. I added an auxiliary lower wishbone to my '17 just to be on the safe side.

The steering stabilizer may hint at a greater problem that would best be addressed by tightening up the king pins and re-bushing the various linkages. It may indicate a little slop which can lead to the infamous "death wobble" but I bet you knew that.

Dan Hatch wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 07, 2021 3:46 pm

Is it a real Roadster or just a cut off touring?
Can’t tell from pictures. Thanks Dan

Hi Dan,. It is indeed a genuine roadster. The box is made of original Ford irons with new wood. The color matched turtle deck is sitting in the box loose as shown in the picture. It appears very correctly restored with the correct May 15 engine block. Starts and runs great on mag.

Oldav8tor wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 07, 2021 3:53 pm

The add-on wishbone is pretty common - it was changed after Henry had an upset due to the axle turning under when he hit soft sand at high speed. The event actually happened not far from where I live. I think there are some inaccuracies in the attached account (like the year) but you'll get the gist. The wishbone position wasn't changed until 1919 - I suspect because Henry had a bunch of parts to use up. I added an auxiliary lower wishbone to my '17 just to be on the safe side.

The steering stabilizer may hint at a greater problem that would best be addressed by tightening up the king pins and re-bushing the various linkages. It may indicate a little slop which can lead to the infamous "death wobble" but I bet you knew that.

Ford.jpg

Very interesting article! As far as the front end goes everything appears rebuilt. I think the owner may just have liked accessorizing!

A friend interstate had found a cast iron add-on for the front axle. It clamps securely to the centre of the axle beam. The steering tie rod passes through a hole in the casting, and the rear of the casting is secured to the back of the radius rod just like the accessory double wishbones. He was waxing lyrical about how much steadier the steering was and the cast piece acts just like a second wishbone.

What he had found was just part of steering stabilising kit. Missing from his setup were two adjustable stops and two compression coil springs which fit to the tie rod. These are adjusted on the tie rod to help centralise the steering.They rest against the central casting, the springs compressing against it as the steering wheel is turned.

I don't like the whole set-up, but can appreciate the cast arm having use in place of a second radius rod on an over-the-axle wishbone set-up.

Allan from down under.

I believe the various devices that used springs acting on the tie rod or steering arms were intended to make the steering less "reversible". They might help stabilize a worn out steering system, too. Their main value on a T in good shape with proper steering angles would probably have been to make the car safer when backing up, since the springs would mimic caster effect, which the T lacks when moving in reverse. The right way to stabilize a worn steering system on any car is to repair or replace worn parts as needed. Band aid fixes are asking for serious trouble.

Don't automatically presume it is a true 1915 based on the engine alone and make sure it's priced accordingly if you end up buying it.

I see a some non-1915 on the car, most notably the top irons/bows, non-riveted windshield brackets, crowned rear fenders.

The trunk is later because it appears to have flat handles. If it doesn't have a battery slot, then the trunk is 1918. If it has a battery slot, then it is 1919-22.

The side moulding along the top edge of the rear deck is missing.

Look for the body date and serial number on the passenger side floor riser. Depending on the manufacturer, it is embossed on a metal plate

If the cowl has a notch above the coil box to accommodate easy removal of the radiator rod, then the body is 1917 or later.

It's a cute car and would be nice to have.

It may not be 100% Stynoski correct, but boy is that a sweet little pickup !