MTFCA Forum

Greetings! I've been checking out Model T "Snowmobiles" for years and finally found one that followed me home this past weekend, a 1924 Model TT that has been in a collection for 25 years. An older restoration, but seems in good shape. I'm going through it now and learning the vehicle using the commissioning checklist I found within this fine forum. I do have two questions already I'm hoping someone here might be able to help with:

1). Are the brake drums and linkage removed for the Snowmobile conversion? My TT has the 38" track width (measured center of tire to center of tire), and no drums nor linkage. I'm wondering if the linkage would foul in the second axle, or if it is missing and I should be tracking one down. Given what I understand is the questionable nature of T brakes (especially with the Ruckstell axle that could potentially end up out of gear) more brakes rather than less seems like a wise idea... if they fit!

2). Under a wooden toolbox lid on the back in of those stamped plastic strips it says "1924 Model T Snowmobile restored by David A. Whitcomb". I'm wondering if anyone here happened to know David, or the vehicle I have now. It has antique show plaques on it from the early to mid 60's, and I believe was in the Gorham, NH area prior to being moved down to the Binghamton NY area.

Very cool car!

Interesting! Id understood it was the correct strengthened, narrowed frame under the body for a TT, but I’m very much in the learning stages here!

Adam,
Hard to tell from the pictures, I might be seeing rear cantilever springs and a TT rear axle, so car chassis, but better pictures would help in identification. A TT rear axle with no parking brakes is typical for a Snowmobile. You might consider joining the Model T snowmobile club modeltsnowmobile.com.

Need a better photo of the rear axle assembly to be positive but zoomed in, it sure appears to be a TT worm drive.

I have seen conversions with TT axles. Came close to picking one up. Eskimo brand, I believe.
I assumed that was normal to have the lower gearing.
Looking @ this one's wheels, I see T wheels, not TT. Must have a passenger car rear axle.

A few more images - I'm inclined to believe it is a Roadster pickup with the Snowmobile conversion (which included the worm gear rear end) from what you all have said. It is 124" wheelbase at this point, but I suspect that was part of the conversion, especially as 100" ends up right where the spring pivot would normally be in that cantilever rear spring set.

Thank you very much for the answer on the rear brakes - that was the important one for now! The rest is all just good information (please keep it coming!).

I've seen images of one that is perhaps identical online, hopefully I'll connect with that owner at some point.

I do plan on joining the Model T Snowmobile club - as far as I can tell that is still a paper process and the electronic / PayPal process here is much easier for me to do quickly.

Definitely a TT worm drive with some fancy axle machine work done !