A.R.M.Co Radiator

[haydonr]

I have a question regarding the radiator on our TT. We bought the truck in it's current state a couple of years ago, and the guy that restored it in 1978 has since passed away so I can't ask him about it, but it is fitted with an unusual radiator marked A.R.M.Co which I've been told stands for American Radiator Manufacturing Company. It has a heavy cast tank and a flip top lid as pictured, but I know nothing much about it.

I've never seen another one, or even pictures of another one. Just wondering if anyone knows if this was a common "upgrade" back then? I assume it was intended for hot climates? (Which this area of New Zealand is not particularly...), or trucks that were expected to work particularly hard? And is our understanding of A.R.M.Co correct?
Any insights welcomed.

[Wayne Sheldon]

I am not familiar with that company. However, I have seen a couple other similar heavy duty radiators made and sold for use on the model T Ford. Most such radiators were used on TT trucks or tractor conversions to better withstand the abusive conditions they often worked under.
It appears to have been made specifically for the model T, and as such is a neat accessory to have, especially on a TT!

[Erik Johnson]

Another heavy duty radiator - different manufacturer:

https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/4 ... 1415941989

[tdump]

i have only saw 1 in my life, and it was on a TT that was some kind of city related truck from new york

[Bryce S.]

Mercy, that radiator looks beefy! It looks like it will be around for another 100 years!

[Susanne]

It also looks easily rebuildable and/or roddable... Take off the bolts, top abd nottom tank come off, exposing the core.

Heck, I want one!!!!

[haydonr]

Thanks for the responses. It does appear however, that we were misinformed originally about the manufacturers name, as I've just had a more careful look at the back and discovered something different... "Made by Auto Radiator Mfg Co", so that might make a difference.

Now I have no idea where it may have come from (maybe not USA), but it does appear to be rarer than I realised.

[Erik Johnson]

Thank for clearing up the name of the company.

When you originally posted, I searched Google books trying to locate trade journal advertisements for the radiator but trying various searches such as "American Radiator Manufacturing Co.", "ARMCO," "A.R.M.CO.+, etc. didn't yield anything.

However, since your subsequent post, I have found at least one advertisement in the 1920 Volume 18, page 755 of "The Automobile Trade Directory."

Click on the photo below and, when the page opens, click again to enlarge.

[ryanf1023]

It reminds me of the large, heavy duty early trucks like the Liberty Truck. Very neat! I think that’s a great looking aesthetic to your TT.

[haydonr]

Ahaaa thank you Erik, that's exactly what I was hoping to see (and what I hadn't been able to find by googling it myself). Well done!