1915 Roadster Top

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George Mills
Posts: 620
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:32 pm
First Name: George
Last Name: Mills
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Roadster, 1919 Hack, 1925 Fordor
Location: Cherry Hill NJ/Anona Largo FL
Board Member Since: 1999

1915 Roadster Top

Post by George Mills » Wed May 10, 2023 12:21 pm

The car in question is a 15 Roadster.

Can someone point out the differences between a 15 and 17 top frame? ( I have a sneaky suspicion that my 15 Roadster has a later frame on it?

New top time is coming and I’m pretty sure the top kit doesn’t care which frame come trim out time…

But, since this becoming a hand me down to the youngest son…if the top bow frame is 17…might as well look to make it right, and find a 15 frame set.

Pictures appreciated pointing out differences


Moxie26
Posts: 1863
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:20 pm
First Name: Robert
Last Name: Jablonski
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Runabout
Location: New Jersey
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Board Member Since: 1999

Re: 1915 Roadster Top

Post by Moxie26 » Wed May 10, 2023 1:03 pm

George..... Mike at "Classtique" (sp ?) upholstery in Minnesota will guide you on measurements

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Humblej
Posts: 1957
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First Name: Jeff
Last Name: Humble
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Canadian coupe, 1924 TT C-cab, 1924 runabout
Location: Charlevoix, Mi
Board Member Since: 2006

Re: 1915 Roadster Top

Post by Humblej » Wed May 10, 2023 3:58 pm

I believe the 15-17 top sockets are the same. If memory serves me right they were oval cross section for 15-17 and square cross section 18-22.


Wayne Sheldon
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Runabout 1913 Speedster
Location: Grass Valley California, USA
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Re: 1915 Roadster Top

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Wed May 10, 2023 6:47 pm

I am not certain, however, I "think" the 1917 is the same as 1915.
The changeover to the "square" top sockets is more than a bit muddy. While some records indicate the change was made early in 1918, there were numerous examples of 1919s (certainly in touring cars, not so sure about runabouts?) being originally fitted with oval top sockets. Top sockets were supplied by a few different companies (like most model T part in those years!), and I suspect the different companies made the change in their production at different times.
As long as your 1915 gets oval sockets, and the lengths are close to right, and all the angles (backset, front-set, height) are set up correctly? You should be good.


Wayne Sheldon
Posts: 4249
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First Name: Wayne
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Runabout 1913 Speedster
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Re: 1915 Roadster Top

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Wed May 10, 2023 6:58 pm

The commonly shared drawing with dimensions for the runabout top can be found at this link;

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/11 ... 1263181825

I chose this one because the image is larger than most shared images.
The image is said to be for 1915 through 1922. There are some details missing for the earlier runabouts, however I believe the dimensions are all very close.


Erik Johnson
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Re: 1915 Roadster Top

Post by Erik Johnson » Wed May 10, 2023 7:46 pm

The top bows/sockets are the same for 1915 through 1917 model years. The sockets are oval.

The change to the square sockets occurred in the 1918 model year. My casual observation is that it occurred early in the model year.

The only difference between 1915 and 1917 tops is the rear curtain. 1915 and 1916 Fords have a "tombstone" light in the rear curtain. In 1917, the three window light became standard although I have seen a few period photos of early 1917 Fords with the tombstone light. If I recall correctly, Jim Sims has an early 1917 touring and the original top has the tombstone light in the rear curtain.

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Topic author
George Mills
Posts: 620
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:32 pm
First Name: George
Last Name: Mills
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Roadster, 1919 Hack, 1925 Fordor
Location: Cherry Hill NJ/Anona Largo FL
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: 1915 Roadster Top

Post by George Mills » Thu May 11, 2023 12:42 pm

Thanks all,

Oval it needs to be!

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