MTFCA Forum

Wondering what the correct tail lamp bracket should be for a late 1915 to early 1916 Model T Coupelet. I have heard it is just a runabout bracket, and I’ve also heard that it is a special bracket that mounts underneath the body. If anyone knows and has pictures, it would be very helpful. Also looking for information on the side lamp brackets. Need all 3 of these for my car.

Thanks!

-Stephen

314-287-1901

Russ Firstnow would be the guy to answer your questions - he'll most likely see this.

My rear lamp bracket attaches to the body with two nuts, not sure if it's original or not on my 16 coupelet.

The little I know. The earliest convertible couplets had different side and tail lamps, and the taillamp was mounted nearer the fender to gain access into the early style rear door into the turtle deck (for those not familiar with the early couplets). Therefore, they not only had different lamps, but also different brackets to mount the tail lamp. Early in the 1915 model year, the turtle deck door was moved to the lid on the top of the turtle deck. Shortly after that, the tail lamp was moved to its more usual position behind the turtle deck. I do not know for sure, but I believe the couplet at about that time went to the same tail lamp bracket as the runabout used. That is what I have read, that is what I think likely happened. But I do not know that for certain.

Russ Furstnow is the expert on these, and has beautifully restored both one of the earliest surviving couplets with the very early lamps and rear door on the turtle deck, as well as a later 1915/'16 model! He also is restoring one of the very rare early 1917 model removeable pillar fixed roof couplets.
Several of his restorations have been chronicled in the MTFCI magazines "Model T Times". I only have a few of those magazines myself so can't help much in finding the correct issues.
He also has shared his restorations on the modeltfordfix website. You may have to hunt through the various menus and internal links to find the articles. The site is very good, I do recommend it for a lot of the great information it offers. However, it is not very active, responses to questions may be slow. It has been awhile since I looked at the photos of his restoration on the couplets, but I suspect they are still there.

Link to modeltfordfix;

https://modeltfordfix.com/

The side lamp bracket looks like this. The picture of the tail lamp bracket is not as clear.

Here are a few pictures of my 1916 Coupelet. The early 1916 taillamp bracket is a two piece bracket where the license plate bracket bolts to the tailamp bracket with a castle nut. Later in production the license plate bracket was held to the taillamp bracket by stamping the bracket where it looks like a rivet. In 1916, the taillamp/license bracket is the same as used on the runabout. The sidelamp brackets are unique to the coupelet. Four screws hold the bracket to the "A" piller. The black steel lamps shown are correct for a 1916 coupelet. I hope this helps. Russ Furstnow

Thank you Russ! Would you have any, or happen to know anyone that would sell a pair of the cowl lamp brackets?

I'm sorry, I don't have any extra brackets, but I would suggest going on the forum and ask for them. Russ Furstnow

Here are some photos of the 1916-1917 tail lamp bracket for a coupelet or a runabout. I hope this helps, Russ Furstnow

Russ_Furstnow wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 10, 2024 3:41 pm

Here are some photos of the 1916-1917 tail lamp bracket for a coupelet or a runabout. I hope this helps, Russ Furstnow

Nice photos Russ, and here is the earlier version, in lieu of the rivet stub end, the license plate arm is held with castle nut.


Hershey price a few years ago indicates that is a rare bird today.

Stephen1915 wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 08, 2024 12:11 pm

Wondering what the correct tail lamp bracket should be for a late 1915 to early 1916 Model T Coupelet. I have heard it is just a runabout bracket, and I’ve also heard that it is a special bracket that mounts underneath the body. If anyone knows and has pictures, it would be very helpful. Also looking for information on the side lamp brackets. Need all 3 of these for my car.

Thanks!

-Stephen

Check your PM's for a possible lead.

I thought the earliest of these for the Coupelet & Runabout mounted under the body and had an extended arm so the early lid on the Coupelet could be opened though admittedly I could be wrong.

Those are for Touring cars, John.

Steve didn’t the earliest of the Coupelet have a trunk lid/door that opened at the base & not at the top section? Those others wouldn’t work would they? Again I hear what you’re saying & not disputing I learnt stuff all the time on the forum & reading, best John

The 1915 Coupelet had a unique bracket that placed the tail lamp between the fender and the body, allowing the rear trunk door to open. The bracket that John identified is for a 1915 Touring. The 1915 Coupelet bracket has no provision to mount a license plate, and many people just screwed the license to the trunk door. I used leather straps screwed to the wood body frame to mount my license. hope this helps. Russ Furstnow

Thanks for explaining the difference for the special rear lamp holder for the early Coupelet, Russ.

Thanks for all the help this far fellas. I knew about the difference in early rear lamp brackets for the early style trunk, but seems that the bracket I need is the easier to find one, that is rivited into one piece, as is on a 1916 roadster.
Now that is figured out!

The real search now, is for the cowl lamp brackets!!

Anyone have any leads on Cowl lamp brackets?

Is this anything? Can’t really tell from the example pictures of what those brackets look like.

Stephen1915 wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 08, 2024 12:11 pm

Wondering what the correct tail lamp bracket should be for a late 1915 to early 1916 Model T Coupelet. I have heard it is just a runabout bracket, and I’ve also heard that it is a special bracket that mounts underneath the body. If anyone knows and has pictures, it would be very helpful. Also looking for information on the side lamp brackets. Need all 3 of these for my car.

Thanks!

-Stephen

Not exactly sure if this is correct but looks close https://www.ebay.com/itm/315288694824?i ... R_iy7rTaYw
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/145706215610?i ... ition=3000

Frank, Neither are correct. The tail lamp bracket is later and the side lamp is not for a Ford. I hope this helps. Russ Furstnow

One last try. Anyone have a set of side lamp brackets they would sell, I don’t expect them to be cheap. Or if someone has one I could “rent” to have a set casted for my own.

The 4 screw style I am looking for was used from 1914-1918

Do you have a picture of one without the lamp on it?

Here are the brackets without sidelamps. Russ Furstnow