MTFCA Forum

The third picture is a great shot of a 1917 with even fold windshield hinges, and bolted (not riveted) cowl brackets! The exact timeline for that unusual combination is still open to debate. However a recently revealed photo with original sales record from the original family suggests that combination was being installed during December of 1916 on the 1917 model cars. The uneven folding windshield hinges followed shortly after and continued through much of the 1917 model production.
Looking at era photos of 1917 model Ts gets interesting trying to sort out several changes made through that one year. Earliest production had the even folding windshield hinges, with the cowl brackets riveted in place like the 1915 and 1916 cars had. Then for maybe a couple months, the even folding hinges continued with the cowl brackets bolted onto the windshield frame. Somewhere about late winter or early spring in calendar 1917, the offset folding windshield hinges appeared. However, moving toward the rear of the car, the folding top's rear curtain still had the "tombstone" rear light/window. Another month or two and the rear curtain light/window changed to the three vertical rectangles.
Then for the 1918 model year, the small horn button was changed to the larger combination horn and light switch piece! Unfortunately, most photos do not clearly show all of those details! However, good photos will usually show two or three of them, narrowing down the production timeline for an individual car somewhat.

Thanks again Tom R!

What I wouldn't give to have a visible pump!
Thanks for these great pics again Tom.

I’m in love with the flapper in picture 11. She looks like she would have been a lot of fun. I almost didn’t notice the car. Don’t tell my wife. Jim Patrick

Union Pacific Railroad logo on door?

When I was a kid in the 50s, I pumped gas one tine from a visible gas pump. It was a lot of work to get 10 gallons up so it could be drained out, but a memory that has lasted a lifetime.