T Fords of Texas Model T Restoration Projects
Bringing a long disused vehicle back to life is a daunting proposition for some and the most fun you can have with a Model T for others. Here are some examples of ongoing and completed restoration projects completed by members of the "T Fords of Texas," San Antonio's Ford Model T club.
1911 Ford Model T Torpedo Speedster, Marshall Huling, San Angelo
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The beginnings of Marshall Huling's 1911 Ford Model T Torpedo speedster project - a bare chassis.
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Chassis prep on Marshall Huling's 1911 Ford Model T Torpedo speedster project coming right along
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Early body set up on Marshall Huling's 1911 Ford Model T Torpedo speedster project
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Slightly advanced body set up on Marshall Huling's 1911 Ford Model T Torpedo speedster project
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Gas tank and seats on Marshall Huling's 1911 Ford Model T Torpedo speedster project
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When the glass edge did not set up or cure on Marshall Huling's 1911 Ford Model T Torpedo speedster project, he had to pull it off and reset it with hotter resin
The fiberglass deck on Marshall Huling's 1911 Ford Model T Torpedo speedster project
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First deck assembly prior to paint on Marshall Huling's 1911 Ford Model T Torpedo speedster project
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Parts of Marshall Huling's 1911 Ford Model T Torpedo speedster project prepped for paint
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Deck primed and pin holes filled on Marshall Huling's 1911 Ford Model T Torpedo speedster project
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The beginning of final assembly on Marshall Huling's 1911 Ford Model T Torpedo speedster project
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Marshall Huling installing the windshield on his 1911 Ford Model T Torpedo speedster
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The best part of Marshall Huling's 1911 Ford Model T Torpedo speedster project - going for a test drive
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Marshall and Diane Huling in their 1911 Model T Torpedo speedster at the Texas T Party in Bastrop. Although the car was only finished hours before they left San Angelo, it was awarded first prize in the event.
When Marshall added a fourth Model T to his 1921 Touring Car, 1923 Roadster and 1925 Coupe, he really went back to basics. He acquired a 1911 engine and chassis with the intention of creating a two seat Torpedo speedster. You can see the amount of hard work and attention to detail he poured into making the vehicle the vehicle voted best Model T at the 2011 "Texas T Party" in Bastrop.
1911 Model T Roadster, Tom Campbell, Castroville
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Chassis and engine for Tom Campbell's 1911 Model T roadster project
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Chassis for Tom Campbell's 1911 Model T roadster project being restored
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Body work for Tom Campbell's 1911 Model T roadster project being installed
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>Body work for Tom Campbell's 1911 Model T roadster project being installed
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>Body work for Tom Campbell's 1911 Model T roadster project being installed
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>Body work for Tom Campbell's 1911 Model T roadster project being installed
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>Tom Campbell's 1911 Model T roadster at the Alamo
For his fourth major restoration project, Tom chose to make a 1911 roadster complete with single rear seat. While many reproduction parts are available most hobbyists like to keep as much of the original vehicle as possible. It would appear in this case, however, that all Tom started with was a 1911 chassis and engine. But no one should be dismissive about the commitment of time, money and effort involved in taking on a project like this. It does however, recreate a rhetorical quandary. In the antique car community we like to say it's a long time since the factory made a new Model T. But folks like George are actually making them almost like a cottage industry. Ford himeself, master of mass production, would undoubtedy be amused and delighted, if his choice of subject for his own heitage center is any guide.
1915 Model T Touring Car, Tom Campbell, Castroville
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This is how Tom Campbell's 1915 Model T touring car looked when he brought it home in 2005
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Preparing the chassis for Tom Campbell's 1915 Model T touring car which can be seen on a trailer in the background
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The front axle of Tom Campbell's 1915 Model T touring car
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The engine for Tom Campbell's 1915 Model T touring car during restoration
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Reconstruction of Tom Campbell's 1915 Model T touring car
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Reconstruction of Tom Campbell's 1915 Model T touring car
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Reconstruction of Tom Campbell's 1915 Model T touring car
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Tom Campbell's 1915 Model T touring car acting as a bridal limousine following its restoration
This was Tom's first restoration. Most people would not even recognize what he bought as any kind of car, let alone one capable of winning prizes in a field of worthy competitors. It takes the eye of an artist and the soul of a poet to look beyond the pile of rusty, rotten remains to see the potential. And an understanding wife! The car had to be rebuilt from the ground up but you would never know it when you see see Tom merrily tootling done the road in his fine automobile.
1919 Ford Model T Doctor's Coupe, Anton Hajek, San Antonio
Anton Hajek's 1919 Model T doctor's coupe freshly arrived in 2011
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Rebuilt engine for 1919 Model T doctor's coupe ready to be re-installed
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Engine re-installed in Anton Hajek's 1919 Model T doctor's coupe, February 2012
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Interior of Anton Hajek's 1919 Model T doctor's coupe stripped to the bone
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Exterior of Anton Hajek's 1919 Model T doctor's coupe, February 2012.
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Third go round at insatlling the engine on Anton Hajek's 1919 Model T doctor's coupe, March 2012.
To complement his open 1914 depot hack and 1925 TT truck, Anton Hajek has added a closed 1919 doctor's coupe to his fleet of Model Ts. This will allow him to drive a Model T year round, in any kind of weather. As is so often the case with Model Ts, the vehicle had seen better days before Anton acquired it in 2011. But with the application of time, money and effort, it won't be long before the old doctor's coupe is running the roads of Bexar County just like it did in the good old days.
1921 Ford Model T Center Door Sedan, George Wilson, Atascosa
George Wilson's 1921 Ford Model T Center Door as it arrived at Julius Neuhoffer's shop in Kerrville looking not all that bad.
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The original chassis on George Wilson's 1921 Ford Model T Center Door was neither straight nor true and had to be replaced
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Almost every piece of wood on George Wilson's 1921 Ford Model T Center Door had to be replaced
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The new wooden frame on George Wilson's 1921 Ford Model T Center Door during construction
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The new wooden frame on George Wilson's 1921 Ford Model T Center Door during construction
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The replacement engine for George Wilson's 1921 Ford Model T Center Door before restoration
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The replacement engine for George Wilson's 1921 Ford Model T Center Door during restoration
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The replacement engine for George Wilson's 1921 Ford Model T Center Door being mated with with the transmission
The body work for George Wilson's 1921 Ford Model T Center Door following its first coat of paint
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George Wilson's 1921 Ford Model T Center Door after restoration
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The interior of George Wilson's 1921 Ford Model T Center Door after restoration
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George Wilson's 1921 Ford Model T Center Door after restoration
What started out in 2007 as a relatively small engine rebuild with minor body work at Julius Neuhoffer's shop in Kerrville soon developed into a full blown ground up restoration. The engine was both incorrect and kaput, the chassis was neither straight nor true, and both had to be replaced. It then turned out that almost every piece of wood in the body was rotten and replacements would have to be scratch built, as there are no kits available for such a low volume Model T. 36 months later, and enough time, money and effort to stun an ox, George got his center door T back in better than new condition.
1923 Ford Model T Tanker truck, Anthony Mackechney, San Antonio
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1923 Ford Model T tanker truck with temporary bed
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1923 Ford Model T tanker truck with "new" tank attached
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1923 Ford Model T tanker truck with engine cover, new paint and decals
This project could probably have gone quicker if Anthony was not determined to also drive it as much as possible. The work was done as a team with his father, Mike, who scoured swap meets for period correct parts. Notoriously one of the fastest Model Ts in the "T Fords of Texas," it now has the "show" to match the "go."
1923 Ford Model runabout, Clint Bitterly, San Antonio
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1923 Ford Model T runabout with engine removed
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Clint Bitterly painting the repaired engine on the 1923 Ford Model T runabout
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Ronnie Bitterly re-installing the engine on the 1923 Ford Model T runabout
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"TFOT" president, in whose "Timeless Ts" shop the work was done, helping with the engine on the 1923 Ford Model T runabout
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Clint Bitterly back on the road in the 1923 Ford Model T runabout
Removing the engine from a Ford Model T is not the most difficult project in the world, thank goodness. They are pretty simple pieces of equipment, without water, fuel or oil pumps, so the work is quite simple. Fixing the innards is also relatively easy, at least by modern standards. The internet makes finding parts fairly painless. This most modern of conveniences has allowed a number of manufacturers and suppliers to stay in the antique parts business. Extra eye and hands don't hurt either, yet another good reason to be in a car club. In the case of the Bitterly's 23 Model T runabout, it was a team effort to get the old girl back up and running, where she belongs.
1924 Ford Model TT truck. Texas Transportation Museum
This 1924 Ford Model T C Cab 1 ton truck on static display at the Texas Transportation Museum in San Antonio
Pushing the 1924 Ford Model T C Cab 1 ton truck outside the display building for the first time in 25 years in September 2007
Mike Mackechney and Daniel Bratcher of the T Fords of Texas working on the the 1924 Ford Model T C Cab 1 ton truck in September 2007
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1924 Ford Model T C Cab 1 ton truck with its engine removed
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Exposed transmission on the 1924 Ford Model T C Cab 1 ton truck
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Magneto fly wheel belonging to the 1924 Ford Model T C Cab 1 ton truck
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1924 Ford Model T C Cab 1 ton truck loud and proud at Mission San Jose, San Antonio
This 1924 Ford Model T C cab 1 ton truck was donated to the Texas Transportation Museum in the early 1980s. It remained on static display until the fall of 2007 when Daniel Bratcher and Mike Mackechney of the "T Fords of Texas" volunteered to get it running again. It was found to have a mish-mash of parts, including a Ford Model A carburetor and a 1950s 12 volt generator. Amazingly enough, they got the engine running, using correct Model T parts, within just two hours. However, it took almost a year of comprehensive effort to make it road worthy again. It now regularly takes part in club activities. The longest trip it has made under its own power is from San Antonio to Floresville and back.
1925 Model TT C Cab 1 ton truck, Tom Campbell, Castroville
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This is how Tom Campbell found the 1925 Model T C cab 1 ton truck
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Tom Campbell's 1925 Model T C cab 1 ton truck in his garage. You are looking at the front end. The cab has been removed and lain on its back on the rear of the chassis
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The restored chassis of Tom Campbell's 1925 Model T C cab 1 ton truck
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Cab restoration in progress on Tom Campbell's 1925 Model T C cab 1 ton truck
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Cab restoration in progress on Tom Campbell's 1925 Model T C cab 1 ton truck
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Engine restoration in progress on Tom Campbell's 1925 Model T C cab 1 ton truck
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Restoration in progress on Tom Campbell's 1925 Model T C cab 1 ton truck
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Tom Campbell's 1925 Model T C cab 1 ton truck waiting for its new bed
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Tom Campbell's 1925 Model T C cab 1 ton truck fully restored
This is Tom Campbell second T restoration. TTs are a little different from regular Ts. They have a longer, stronger chassis, and a different rear end, geared lower to allow the same 20 HP engine to move a ton of freight. Introduced in 1917, the Ford introduced the C cab in 1924. It was not a popular design and only lasted two years. Folks preferred to have an enclosed cab which would be built by a local company, which s why you se so many diverse cab styles on these trucks which were often sold as a chassis / engine combination only. As often happens, C cabs today are highly collectible, which makes the investment in this one a very sound decision.
1926 Model T Roadster, Tom Campbell, Castroville
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Chassis for Tom Campbell's 1926 Model T roadster
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Front axle for Tom Campbell's 1926 Model T roadster
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Body for Tom Campbell's 1926 Model T roadster
Work in progress on the body for Tom Campbell's 1926 Model T roadster
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Restored engine and chassis for Tom Campbell's 1926 Model T roadster
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Restored engine and chassis for Tom Campbell's 1926 Model T roadster
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Restored body work on Tom Campbell's 1926 Model T roadster
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Body painted and seat installed on Tom Campbell's 1926 Model T roadster
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Tom Campbell's 1926 Model T roadster fully restored
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Tom Campbell's 1926 Model T roadster fully restored
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>Tom Campbell with his 1926 and 1911 Model T roadsters at a Shriner charity car show
This was Tom Campbell's third major restoration project. The original components were either completely restored or replaced.Once again he took what appeared to be little more than junk and turned into (back) into a handsome vehicle capbale, in this case capable of being driven all the way to Bastrop from Castroville for the 2011 Texas T Party. All told, he and George Wilson in his 1921 Model T Center Door - see aboveT - drove over 600 miles with no mechanical issues to report.
1926 Model T Touring Car, Daniel Bratcher, Floresville
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Daniel Bratcher starting his 1926 Ford Model T touring car for the first time
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Daniel Bratcher starting his 1926 Ford Model T driving car for the first time
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Daniel Bratcher's 1926 Ford Model T touring car
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Front fender for Daniel Bratcher's 1926 Ford Model T touring car under restoration
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Rear fenders for Daniel Bratcher's 1926 Ford Model T touring car
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Daniel Bratcher fixing the front wheel on his 1926 Ford Model T touring car
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Daniel Bratcher's 1926 Ford Model T touring car under resotoration
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Daniel Bratcher's 1926 Ford Model T touring car after restoration
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Daniel Bratcher's 1926 Ford Model T touring car ina wedding not long after resoration
This ground-up re-construction began with the gift of a "free" Model T chassis from godfather and former MTFCA president Pete Reinthaler to a then still young Daniel Bratcher as a challenge. In between graduating college and starting his own landscaping business, it took ten years of finding and restoring parts to complete the what is, for all intents and purposes, an entirely new Model T, built with all original 1926 parts, found at swap meets and from other Model T enthusiasts.
1926 Model TTT closed cab truck, DuWayne Headrick, San Antonio
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The 1926 Ford Model TT truck in Illona Weber's garage before restoration in 2010.
Chassis, 1926 Ford Model TT truck
Chassis and engine, 1926 Ford Model TT truck
Chassis, gas tank, levers and pedals, 1926 Ford Model TT truck
Chassis rear end, 1926 Ford Model TT truck
New cab under construction, 1926 Ford Model TT truck
New cab under construction, 1926 Ford Model TT truck
New cab interior, 1926 Ford Model TT truck
Restored original parts of the 1926 Ford Model TT truck waiting for reassembly
Restored original engine of the 1926 Ford Model TT truck
Rear wheel, 1926 Ford Model TT truck
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DuWayne Headrick in his 1926 Ford Model TT truck at the "Dare To Love" charity car show at Northside Ford, June 2014
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DuWayne Headrick with his 1926 Ford Model TT truck at the 2014 Shriner Car Show
This 1926 Ford Model TT closed cab truck was inherited from relatives in South Dakota. It was brought to Texas in 2007. Ross Lilliker of College Station began the restoration in 2010. None of the original wooden cab or bed could be saved. The replacements were built to resemble it as much as possible. Apart from incidentals like belts, hoses and spark plugs, all the other parts are original, except for the differential which was upgraded to allow the truck to go a tad faster than the original top speed of 22 MPH.