MTFCA Forum

Hello all, Cody here, just getting into the T side of things. I started with the Model A with my 31 pickup, now I want to taste the original recipe. I'm rounding up information, parts, books, what have you because I am starting down the path of building a very specific kind of T. I am wanting to build a 1915 Depot Hack, now I saw this one that's for sale and although it is quite nice, I want to build one since I got the itch to build. My question is this: who made this body and does anyone have the plans for it? This body is perfect as it has the seats I want, the right windows, everything. If anyone has information on this body let me know, this car is for sale on Hemmings if you are curious.

You should be able to contact the seller through Hemings. When you talk to the seller he might know about it. Seems like the seller might know. But the seller might not know either if he bought it from someone else. Ask all questions throughly before you decide to but it.

The emblem on the back of the T might be the maker or the company who made the body.

Very true, it sure is a unique body in its own right. in the description it said it's a restoration, so it might have been an older body restored. but it might just mean the chassis was restored and the body was custom made. the body is absolutely. perfect.

Go to syverson cabinet company. They have been in business for a long time and make different styles of T bodies or at least they use to. There in a depot body that looks sort of close to the one you have pictured.

you're right, looks very similar, only difference is the one at Hemmings has little side windows that open up. that is a quite desirable feature. I think I might draw up my own design and incorporate multiple design queues from different body makers. one thing mine has to have is removable or foldable rear seats. I basically want a T like an SUV. I daily my Model A and plan on having a people mover to the fold, since I dont like anything after '31 and I want a tough little car, I said, screw it I'll make a T.

Wagon Works of Ankey Iowa sold some pretty good plans. Build the deck on the frame, set the firewall, and then start your own creative body changes to their very complete plans. One thing I caution, Use safety glass throughout, No hardware store plate glass. Sometimes you can find some larger sheets from a truck or school bus scrap yard and cut them to fit, saving a few dollars. You might change your window layout to accommodate the glass pieces you can economically source.

You can build it as you want. There is no “official” depot hack body that I know of. As the T era progressed T’s got pretty popular and body builders would make bodies for different uses and the depot hack style came out of that. Some styles became more popular than others as time went on.

That's the great thing about the depot hack is that it can be essentially a one of one. I have a friend who owns an A doodlebug who owns a glass company. I will be going through him for all my glass needs. My specs are that the body has to be a bit longer than most other hacks mainly because I'll be using it to haul stuff around.

Hi again Cody! You can do a general search worded “Model T depot hack photos” and you’ll see all kind of versions and everything in between. Good luck.

Be careful with extending the body too far.
When I put 2 good sized people in the third seat of my hack the front end gets a bit light.
Kids are OK but adults - no way.