MTFCA Forum

Getting things around to get nickel plated for the ‘26 roadster I’m working on. Is there a definitive list of the parts that need to be plated?

I’ll get your list started: radiator shell and headlight rims ONLY if they’re brass.

The interior may have some oval headed trim screws on the dash.

The switch panel on the dash, the windscreen wingnuts, the hubcaps, the bumper irons if fitted, the radiator filler neck and cap. If you have the brass radiator shell and headlight rims, the windscreen pillars might also be done. Nice to hear from someone not interested in chrome.

Allan from down under

I've got to add the steering gear box, cover and head bolts. Allan, ya I know, the chrome is a lot easier to take care of..... it just doesn't have the warmth of nickel. Oh ya, can't forget the steering wheel nut. Are the curtain snaps on the top irons and windshield stantions plated?

Oops, double posted.

In addition to the above, the hub caps.

Also, the dash switchplate and hardware, the bolts on the front motor mount/spring clamp, the bolts on the valve chest cover, the big bolt that attaches the generator bracket to the block (the top bolt).

My 2 cents worth.....

My understanding, over the last SIXTY years that I have been working with 26-27 improved T's, is that the open cars came in TWO models, STANDARD and DELUXE (or SPORT models). This is verified in both of the late Bruce McCalley's books. The standard models had black radiator shells and headlight rims and the deluxe (or SPORT) had nickle plated headlight rims and radiator shell. Since the poster didn't specify which way that he was building this vehicle, everyone who posted nickle for the radiator shell and headlight rims, are apparently assuming that the poster is going the DELUXE route, and if the owner knew that his vehicle had left the factory as a standard model, the black painted trim would be correct for judging. Even if he knew the vehicle was produced as a standard roadster, it is his option to add or change to nickle trim if he desires. Many a 26-27 T with black trim has, over the years, been changed to nickle trim by restorers. Perhaps, 'back in the day', an owner or dealer would change the trim from black to nickle, however with cost considered and the economy and frugality of T buyers back then, i wouldn't suspect this practice was the norm.

Seems like I saw a note someplace that the open cars had wood spoke wheels in 1926, and for $60 more, you could get the wire wheels like the closed cars had, wind wings, the radiator nickel plated surround, like the closed cars had and a brown canvas top.

J1MGOLDEN wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 28, 2025 4:19 pm

Seems like I saw a note someplace that the open cars had wood spoke wheels in 1926, and for $60 more, you could get the wire wheels like the closed cars had, wind wings, the radiator nickel plated surround, like the closed cars had and a brown canvas top.

According to Floyd Clymer's reprint of the 1926 FORDEX dealer sales data book, I find NO mention of the SPORT open car models but the following prices are listed for individual 'accessory' items available from dealers:
Automatic windshield wiper (vacuum) $3.50
Gypsy curtains $3.00 pr.
Windshield Wings $6.50 pr.
Open car top boot $5.00
Front and rear bumpers $15.00 pr.
Wire wheels $35.00 set of 5
Rear view mirror $.75
Dash lamp $.60
Stop light with switch $2.50
Spare tire cover $2.60
Nickle Radiator Shell $3.00

If the Sport or deluxe models included just the Gypsy curtains, the windshield wings, the top boot, the bumpers, the wire wheels and the nickle radiator shell, the sum of all would have been near, or over $70.00.

J1MGOLDEN wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 28, 2025 4:19 pm

Seems like I saw a note someplace that the open cars had wood spoke wheels in 1926, and for $60 more, you could get the wire wheels like the closed cars had, wind wings, the radiator nickel plated surround, like the closed cars had and a brown canvas top.

The sport model, according to Bruce, included a nickle radiator shell, wind wings, a top boot, and nickel plated bumpers. A 1926 Sport Touring (picture obtained from the Henry Ford Museum) is shown on the top of page 382 in Bruce's book, Model T Ford, The Car That Changed The World. The availability of the Sport model option was claimed to be announced in early 1926.

Hmmmm, looks like I've been collecting parts for a "Sport" and didn't even know it. If I'm not mistaken, wind wings are impossible to obtain, so I'll be one option short.

schwabd1 wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 28, 2025 10:21 pm

Hmmmm, looks like I've been collecting parts for a "Sport" and didn't even know it. If I'm not mistaken, wind wings are impossible to obtain, so I'll be one option short.

David, go to EBAY motors and put in vintage car wind wings for windshield. The ones listed for sale are probably not original 26-27 Model T Ford issue, but there are reproduction 1930-35 Ford brackets for sale and a lot of aftermarket wings like Fulton, Kokomo, Amco, Johnson, and Sewell are listed.

schwabd1 wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 28, 2025 10:21 pm

Hmmmm, looks like I've been collecting parts for a "Sport" and didn't even know it. If I'm not mistaken, wind wings are impossible to obtain, so I'll be one option short.

Sport Touring and Sport Runabout

Fawn colored top boot, fawn fabric windwings, or glass windwings, natural wood or wire wheels, bumpers, nickel shell.

I'm most familiar with closed cars. There are a few originally plated parts on my Tudor that I rarely see plated on restored cars. Such as the spark and throttle rods and the inside door latches. Some of the suggestions above seem more like 1927 than 1926. You should go by McCalley's books which are the best authority for a "correct" restoration.