What is that for?

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Vonau
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What is that for?

Post by Vonau » Sun Aug 07, 2022 12:19 pm

Hi

My Touring 1926 made in Canada has two green buttons on the front. I have already seen this on other Model T pictures. What are these good for?

Were they perhaps reflectors that no longer reflect?

Greetings to all
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IMG_20220806_191956_2.jpg


TXGOAT2
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Re: What is that for?

Post by TXGOAT2 » Sun Aug 07, 2022 12:29 pm

Those appear to be accessory license plate fasteners. They probably were once reflective. Polishing the aged plastic might restore them. Similar items can be bought today.


Moxie26
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Re: What is that for?

Post by Moxie26 » Sun Aug 07, 2022 12:30 pm

Looks like two brackets with reflectors that would hang a license plate on the headlamp bar instead of below the crank.

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FundyTides
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Re: What is that for?

Post by FundyTides » Sun Aug 07, 2022 1:01 pm

My, mostly original, 27 Canadian Touring has similar brackets, without reflectors, on the front headlamp bar. When we bought the car in the early 60's, it had 1947 license plates mounted with these clips on the front, and on the tailight bracket on the rear rear. I don't think the late 26-27 cars with the headlamp bar used a bracket below the radiator.


jiminbartow
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Re: What is that for?

Post by jiminbartow » Sun Aug 07, 2022 1:03 pm

Ditto. Jim Patrick

A8E12515-176D-44D7-B48B-91A8DBC122C1.jpeg


Moxie26
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Re: What is that for?

Post by Moxie26 » Sun Aug 07, 2022 1:06 pm

The front license plate bracket attached to the front spring mount.... If that had broken off, using those clamps on the headlamp bar would be easier for some folks, in Canada, USA, or anywhere else.


TXGOAT2
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Re: What is that for?

Post by TXGOAT2 » Sun Aug 07, 2022 1:16 pm

I believe that Ford got complaints from some law enforcement agencies when the Ford accessory bumpers came on the market. ("26-'27?) It seems the bumpers obscured the front license plates. The solution was adding clips to the now standard headlight bar to mount the license plate. I doubt if the spring clamp with the screw hole was changed, since the late radiator aprons used it.

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FundyTides
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Re: What is that for?

Post by FundyTides » Sun Aug 07, 2022 7:27 pm

In the Ford Price List of Parts, issued Aug 5, 1928, part 3665 Front license clip was listed with the note that it was "used on the headlamp tie rod". They are available from Mac's and probably other T suppliers. The reflector was just an aftermarket item replacing the bolt and nut in the original brackets. They are also available from most suppliers in various colors.

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