"DF" Wheels

[Olivier CHABANNE]

Hi there.

It has been a very long time since I posted anything on the forum, but today I decided to come back and discuss Model Ts with you all.
As a reminder, I live in France and I started to take an interest in the model T in 2004, starting by restoring a French Ford T 1924 with Torpedo bodywork by “A Rousset”. This car was then destroyed in a road accident. Then I restored a 1912 Touring, then I acquired a 1922 Touring and now I have just found a Ford T “Montier” which I will soon restore.

Today, I have a question about the wheels that equip the Ford Montier.
It is fitted with “DF” brand wheels. The rear wheels do not have the same number of spokes as the front wheels.
Do any of you know this wheel model?
Could “DF” wheels be found in the USA? (Maybe under another brand?)
I'm actually missing a rear wheel so if any of you know of one I would be very interested.

Sorry for my English which is still not very good, so I used the Google translator.

Thank you and see you soon.

Olivier

[David Greenlees]

Olivier, Sorry I can't help you with the wheels. Is the “Montier" a racing car?

[John E. Guitar]

They look a bit like the wheels on my Amilcar. I wonder if they are French wheels?

Does your car look like either of these Montier Specials?

[Olivier CHABANNE]

Olivier, Sorry I can't help you with the wheels. Is the “Montier" a racing car?

Yes, this is an authentic 1921 Montier race car chassis.
In 1927, the racing body was dismantled to be replaced by a new Sedan type body with fenders.
I intend to rebuild the original racing body.

Olivier

[Olivier CHABANNE]

They look a bit like the wheels on my Amilcar. I wonder if they are French wheels?

Does your car look like either of these Montier Specials?


2-7-27_Montlhéry_Coupe_de_la_[...]Agence_Rol_btv1b53184913h_1.jpeg


1-10-21_Gaillon_Montier_sur_Ford_[...]Agence_Rol_btv1b530732200_1.jpeg

The Amilcars had "Rudge" wheels.
Concerning this car, it is a "Ford Montier" and not a "Montier Spécial", the original bodywork was therefore like that of the second photo (N°175).

Olivier

[Kevin Pharis]

Interesting wheel design. There is no mention of a DF in my era wheel catalog. While the hub/wheel interface has familiar traits with several American brands, I don’t suspect that any would be close enough to interchange or replace. The rims are very wide and relatively small diameter, is it possible that these were adapted when the body was adapted?

The hub looks simple enough to machine if required, the wheel center could be a bit more challenging. Is it a casting? Or is it multiple spun/stamped pieces assembled? The fella in New Zealand could most likely make the rim.

[John E. Guitar]

That's a great looking car.

You could try contacting the Belgian wheel collector Roland Dhondt. He might recongnise the wheels.

I don't have his details but the Louwman Museum probably does.

[Luxford]

For those interested, these wheels are French. I found mention of them on an old car site where someone had a French Accessory book which listed them, seems that they were used on several French cars in the 1920's including Citroen.
When talking with Montier expert Chris Martin a close friend who by the way is just finishing a book on Montier to be released in the later part of this year. He sent me some French ads for the "DF" wire wheels.