The Restoration of My 1927 Coupe is Near Completion

[BLB27]

I purchased the coupe from a farmer when I was a junior in high school in 1954. I started the restoration in the fall of 2020. I want to share ten photos to show what it looks like today and what it looked like with my father and mother standing by it in 1959. They had just driven it in a parade celebrating the 75th anniversary of my home town in North Dakota.

I started the engine a week ago today for the first time in 60 years and drove it out of the garage three days ago. I only went about 100 feet and found that I needed to adjust the clutch band. Now I am looking forward to putting some miles on it.

I still have to assemble the headlights, and I plan on having the bumpers chrome powder coated. I have some issues with door window glass that I need to resolve, that should complete the restoration.

I had help from my son, grandson and several friends. I could not have done it without them.

I want to thank ALL of the MTFCA form members who responded to my questions and offered comments/suggestions, during the nearly three years of restoration.

Especial thanks to Joe Bell (rebuilt the engine/responded to my many questions), Bill Devine (rebuilt the front axle, rear end and installed Sure-Stop disc brakes), Ron Patterson (restored the coils/answered electrical questions), Jeff Humble (made wood bows for the top/provided guidance on a number of issues), Steve Martin (restored ignition switch), Steve Tomaso (restored dash light).

Of course the restoration would not have been possible without Lang's, Snyder's, Birdhaven, Classtique Upholstery, Ecklers. When I purchased it 1954, my Dad and uncle helped getting it running , and I remember purchasing some parts from the Sears Roebuck catalog.

[BLB27]

Five more photos.

[Joe Bell]

Looks great, did a really nice job on interior and paint.

[CudaMan]

Very nice!

[James Yuill]

Wonderful job and it's been in your family for 70 years. Very very special!!

[BUSHMIKE]

Beautiful!

[Chris Instness]

That’s something to be very proud of. Nice job.

[George House]

Wow ! Maroon over yellow wires really looks good ! Nice job….that carb heat pipe work OK ?

[Mopar_man]

Wow!!! That looks great!!!!

[RajoRacer]

Stellar job there, Bruce ! You are most welcome & "thanks" for the plug ! I believe it was "Ben" Martin that restored your switch.

[BLB27]

Yes George, your heat pipe fit beautifully!

Thanks Steve, I meant Ben Martin. Here are before and after photos of the switch. Ben did an outstanding restoration!

I have kept a journal since I started the restoration in September 2020. I just added up the manhours--537. This includes my time and that of my son, grandson and friends.

[Harvey Bergstrom]

Beautiful restoration of your 1927 Coupe!!

[BLB27]

Harvey, Thanks for your complement. Are you living in Cayuga? I was born in my grandparent's house in Ransom which was located 1 mile north of Cayuga. (In 1937, it was the only residence remaining in the town.) It was during a North Dakota blizzard, and the Doctor couldn't get there so my grandmother delivered me. The abandoned house was there until just a few years ago. I was raised in Forman and bought coupe in 1954 from a farmer near Brampton.

Do you have a T, if so what type and year?

[Dollisdad]

I love everything about this car. Holding on to it for nearly 70 years is as impressive as the work you have done. Color combinations are striking and it looks great from any angle. Easy to tell that under the dust the finish work will pop when it is finished. Congratulations, excellent job.

[tdump]

I Love it,nice car!

[KMcoldcars]

You have done an amazing job with the car. It is beautiful.

[BLB27]

Installed the front and rear bumpers. I had them powder coated (silver with a clear coat) instead of chrome or nickel plated. It will not be "show" car so I took the easies and cheapest route. They look OK to me.

[BLB27]

Note the license plate. I found it at the Iowa State Fair. I was going to have restored, but my wife said no. She was right. I understand that I will be issued new plates, but I will not have to install them. The old plate will be only one on the car and will be referenced in the registration. The new plates will be kept in the car. I hope that is true!


































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[Steve Jelf]

The old plate will be only one on the car and will be referenced in the registration. The new plates will be kept in the car. I hope that is true!

Most states have a Year of Manufacture law that allows old cars to be registered with original plates. But the details of requirements and procedures vary widely from state to state. I expect you can find yours on your state's DOT website. In Kansas my 1915 and 1923 Fords are registered with original 1915 and 1923 plates and there are no other plates. All I need to have in the car is the registration and an insurance card, but experience has taught me to also have a copy of the law for the benefit of officers who may not be familiar with it.

[DHort]

In Wisconsin I keep the collector plates under the back seat and have an antique plate on the car.

When I drove through Illinois I was pulled over by an officer. He said I had to have the collector plates
showing. I informed him I was from WI and we do not have to do that. He let me go, but told me I needed
to study the law in Illinois.

Paint job is great. In a lot of ways I like the bumper the way you have it. Chrome is too shiny.

[TRDxB2]

Installed the front and rear bumpers. I had them powder coated (silver with a clear coat) instead of chrome or nickel plated. It will not be "show" car so I took the easies and cheapest route. They look OK to me.

I couldn't find anything about Horseless Carriage or Collector plates or even registering (not titling) a Vintage/Collector Vehicle
As far as plates go - Personalized plates must have 2 characters & up to 7 numbers & no punctuation
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This would work on the registration and even match that plate 49812IA27
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[DanTreace]

I couldn't find anything about Horseless Carriage or Collector plates or even registering (not titling) a Vintage/Collector Vehicle
As far as plates go - Personalized plates must have 2 characters & up to 7 numbers

Seems Iowa antique car owners may catch up with other states to allow YOM license plates. A bill is under review in Iowa, looks like other states, that also require current new plates to be carried, but allow original YOM plate to be displayed.

In Fl, our state goes further, and you register the original YOM plate at Tallahassee, by mailing the plate, then you get it back and that is the only plate you display. Of course that plate has to clear DMV requirements like no other current matching number plate in the system on another vehicle.

Note too, that Iowa requires a front plate, only a handful of states still require a front plate, so your T will need a front plate bracket!

[Allan]

Bruce, I have been following your restoration with interest. The back story makes it all the more rewarding. You have done a wonderful job of it, a job to be proud of.
I'm not convinced on the bumpers though. What you have is easy to upgrade at a later date. As mentioned, stay away from Chrome. Nickel to match the radiator shell is the way to go. I feel the rest of your excellent work is let down by the cheaper alternative.
Hope this does not come accross as criticism. Everything else is so good, it deserves the best.

Allan from down under.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

It might be nice to put the medallion on your front bumper. Maybe you just hadn't got around to it yet.
https://www.modeltford.com/item/2956.aspx

[fordrelic]

Were these bumpers produced and sold by Ford, or are they an aftermarket item?

Thanks,
Clay

[jiminbartow]

Great job, however, whenever taking pictures to show off the results of your hard work to others, you may want to consider taking a couple of hours to wash, wax and polish your T prior to taking pictures under the most favorable conditions. To take pictures of it with a layer of dust covering it does not show it off to its’ maximum potential and sort of defeats the purpose of the photos and the high praise they should garner.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

Were these bumpers produced and sold by Ford, or are they an aftermarket item?

Thanks,
Clay

The front bumper is a Ford supplied option. The rear bumper, (bumperettes), are aftermarket. Bumperettes were available on Canadian cars, but these are not the Ford supplied, Canadian versions.

[Steve Jelf]

The old plate will be only one on the car and will be referenced in the registration. The new plates will be kept in the car. I hope that is true!

The YOM rules vary widely by state. My favorite setup is when the vintage plate is the only one required. I don't have to carry "new plates" in my car. I paid a one-time registration fee on the YOM plate and don't have to deal with it again. Apparently our legislature is too busy wasting time in other ways, and hasn't made the registration laws a nightmare. My favorite ridiculous registration nonsense is that one state says YOM plates MUST BE RESTORED, while another says they MAY NOT BE RESTORED. How is anybody able to know for sure whether a particular plate is restored or NOS?

[Allan]

Further to Jerry's post, the Canadian Ford rear bumpers have the open ends the same as your Ford front bumper. Just a minor detail for the purists.

Allan from down under