MTFCA Forum

Finally finished most of the running gear and directed my focus to my roadster body - only to discover a former owner had pop-riveted patch panels along the entire length of both side of the body (firewall to back of bucket) to cover up rusted out panels and (unfortunately) a significant amount of the subframe is also rusted out or paper thin…

Not sure I can manage trying to replace the subframe, so testing the waters to see if anyone has a 26/27 roadster body with solid subframe they might consider selling.

Please let me know what you have!

Thank you!!

Jennifer
Aka ModelTGal

Bump for my friend, let’s try to help out.

Jennifer,

It is not hard to bend up new frame rails and attach. Replacing sometimes better than trying to find good used ones that surprisingly has the same issues. I have the heavy sheet metal brake if you require me to fabricate. Just Sayin, been there to many times.

Hank

Jennifer if anyone can fabricate the subframe Hanks the guy. Highly skilled at fabrication among many things. Review his “going dry thread.” Genius!

Henry K. Lee wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 25, 2022 11:36 am

Jennifer,

It is not hard to bend up new frame rails and attach. Replacing sometimes better than trying to find good used ones that surprisingly has the same issues. I have the heavy sheet metal brake if you require me to fabricate. Just Sayin, been there to many times.

Hank

Hi Hank, thank you for the offer to assist - I sent you an email with photos of the passenger side sub frame (the parts which still exist) to give you an idea of the issue. Not really enough there to provide you complete measurements, etc. I fear the driver side is going to be similar, as I can see more pop rivets...

Please let me know your thoughts, I am somewhat heartbroken to have discovered the amount of damage concealed behind seemingly solid body panels. (pop rivets, 1/4" of bondo, etc.)

Jennifer

Still looking. The damage to the subframe and body is so severe I’ve been advised by several folks to just replace it with a “fresh” body.

Please keep your eyes open for a solid 26/27 roadster body. Some body damage is fine as long as the subframe is solid.

Jennifer

Jennifer

Has anyone ever used the subframe from a touring of the same year to repair or replace the bad parts of a roadster? I have the touring subframe but don't have a roadster to compare it to.

A coupe sub frame would be closer but there is a difference in the rear sub cross member. I have two of them. I'll look tomorrow or Thursday and take some pictures. If that makes sense, I can drill the rivets and collapse it for easier transport. In the meantime, look back to my post titled: "Improved Open Car Surgery And Build" dated Oct 21/19 to see the bare sub frame.

Ken Buhler wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 26, 2022 10:42 pm

A coupe sub frame would be closer but there is a difference in the rear sub cross member. I have two of them. I'll look tomorrow or Thursday and take some pictures. If that makes sense, I can drill the rivets and collapse it for easier transport. In the meantime, look back to my post titled: "Improved Open Car Surgery And Build" dated Oct 21/19 to see the bare sub frame.

Wow! That is awesome, the pictures help a great deal.

Thanks for that great reference, hoping I can pull this off!

Jennifer

Bump to top

There is a roadster in my sister in laws barn that my brother had I will check tomorrow to see if the subframe is in usable condition .

Hello Jennifer,
These are the photos of my sub frames. The differences are significant and they won't work.
Ken

Thanks Ken. Those look to be in great shape, it’s a shame I can’t use them.

Jennifer

Still looking!

ebay has one for 2k plus shipping, looks good from photo, seat back is shot but overall hard find good luck

also on ebay someone is selling a 27 roadster complete, the add: 1927 MODEL T ROADSTER WITH A REBUILT ENGINE WITH 100 MILES. HAS A RUXTEL REAR AXLE, WINFIELD CARB, MATCO CROSS DRIVE, BOSCH MAG, NEW TIRES AND POWDER COATED 21" WIRE WHEELS. all for 7500 or best offer.
dont think you will be able to rebuild the body for that price. plus you can part out the accessories for most of your money back

Thanks Dino, I did check both of them out - the first one has similar issues with the subframe (rotted out) you can see through the side of the lower body bucket "buns" through the where the subframe is supposed to be and see through the holes.

The other one sold before I could get in contact with the seller.

So everyone knows, this is why I am looking for a replacement subframe and/or roadster body:

I have the running gear/chassis almost complete but no body to put on it!

Thanks for your help guys!

Jennifer

dinosbunny wrote: ↑

Sun May 15, 2022 3:25 pm

also on ebay someone is selling a 27 roadster complete, the add: 1927 MODEL T ROADSTER WITH A REBUILT ENGINE WITH 100 MILES. HAS A RUXTEL REAR AXLE, WINFIELD CARB, MATCO CROSS DRIVE, BOSCH MAG, NEW TIRES AND POWDER COATED 21" WIRE WHEELS. all for 7500 or best offer.
dont think you will be able to rebuild the body for that price. plus you can part out the accessories for most of your money back

Can you share a link to this auction...? Sounds an awful lot like my ol roadster...

Here’s the link:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325172876153

The dash pin striping does look like yours…

That’s the one! I can’t tell you how many hours of panel beating and fitting I have into that car. An original califunny car with only cosmetic rust in the trunk and below seat area (as seen in the pics). My goal for that car was to have an “original” car with no serious issues or noticeable repairs. You would have had an excellent start...

ModelTGal ,to enjoy your car during the search,put a simple speedster body on it!
You can always sell the speedster body when you find the parts you needing.
I had no idea until I looked at this thread that those subframes were so expensive! i don't feel nearly as much of a cheapskate fixing mine that has some bad rust damage.

Check out this link https://mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=30258
GOOD Frame and parts - 2 cars too

Jen, there is someone in Sherman, Texas that is advertising a 26-27 roadster body on Facebook Marketplace. Even if you are a Facebook member, you may not be able to view it from out of the state of Texas and Texas may be too far for you to consider.

Hi Jennifer.
Sammy at Arizona Model A L.L.C. in Chandler Az. has a solid looking one. I do not know if it is for sale or what he would want for it if it is. email me & I will give you his info.
Craig.

Hi Jennifer, I have some 26-27 T roadster stuff which may help you rebuild your car. I'm not sure what all you are needing. Make me a list and will go from there. I'm not real close to your local; western Colorado, But maybe we can work it out. Kind Regards Mike