My runabout turned into a roadster today

[Mark Osterman]

This pickup box sat in my back yard under a tarp all winter. The car came to me with the side mount spare so when the box was made available I figured it was meant to be. I also bought the factory rear mount spare so it can be switched out either way. For me the box is a potential tintype darkroom, a stage for medicine shows or a platform for camping. We’ll see.

[Ruxstel24]

The patina goes great together, like the bed was always there. I like it

[Scott_Conger]

Very nifty, Mark! Has a great look to it.

[Mark Osterman]

Evidently I built the same car as an AMT kit. Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk!

[Ruxstel24]

I used to work there, but I had to get up too oily in the morning

[Retro54]

Mark, this is great! Love the look and utility. I'm hoping to achieve similar with my '15 cut down touring.

[Dallas Landers]

Nice! You will love that box. I use mine all the time for everything.

[Allan]

Mark, when I read your post title, I thought, "Why would anyone turn a really useful car into a show piece that is useless?" The I saw the photos, and was reassured. There is nothing quite as useful as a buckboard.

Allan from down under.

[Mark Osterman]

I just thought it was funny that Ford called the ‘23 T a runabout when it had a turtle deck on the back ... and a roadster pickup when the turtle deck was replaced with a slip-on pickup box. This is not a permanent conversion for me as I plan to switch out runabout for roadster as needed. Just like the idea that I can since I have the rear mount spare with the turtle deck ... and side mount with pickup box. Nice to have that flexibility.

[Tom Hicks]

Best of both worlds, and it really looks good, wear matched!

[Original Smith]

Looks good Mark. Roadster, runabout and torpedo were all being used in 1924, so, it's not likely yours went from one to the other, however it did become a pickup. I'm wondering on your spare tire mount. Does it vibrate a lot? I have a real authentic accessory made out of a real Ford spare tire carrier. Without the two straps attached, it vibrates pretty bad.

[Duey_C]

That's gorgeous Mark!
My '18 was a pickup into the early 70's.
Would you do me a huge favor? Would you take a photo or two of the bottom of the box?
I have a similar old box here but there's something funky/amiss for mounting it to the frame.
It's on another T and the floor sags some.
When Maw ain't lookin', I'm gonna take off the very nice original-paint turtle deck/trunk, meant for a later car, that I cannot properly fasten down anyway, hang it back up on the wall and put the box on to see...