1915 Center Door T Rat Rod

[Chuck Most]

A couple of years back, Terry did a write-up about the Aardvark Center door model T in the Resin Talk column. The moment I saw it, I pretty much KNEW I'd eventually rat one out. I even worked up a rough little sketch to map everything out-

Fast forward almost two years, and I'm finally getting around to starting on it! Strange thing- Andy Martin (owner of Aardvark and Modelmartin) told me I might be happier using the Jimmy Flintstone version of his body- as it is already chopped and costs a bit less. Kind of like a GM rep recommending a Dodge! At this point, I'm not sure which body I'll use, but in any case, this model is all somehow the fault of Gregg and Harry (for running the story), Terry (for writing it), Andy (for casting the body), and me (for having a twisted, some might say psychotic, imagination).

This would be the first time I've ever used a drawing (one of mine or anyone else's) to map out a build, so that should be interesting! Maybe it'll help with the process, as I'm one of those guys who never takes measurements or notes during a project unless I'm modeling a specific 1:1 subject. (And even then I don't always do it!)

I started out with the grille shell, which is a modified piece from an AMT '29 Model A (Woody/Pickup)-

I scratchbuilt the Lincoln star badge for the opening, used some old kit radiator hoses for the bull horns, an old big rig cab light lens for the crank cover, and a Ford decal from a Revell '29 Model A pickup kit.

For the front rollers, I pirated those straight from an AMT '34 Ford 5-window kit.

The engine is 'supposed' to be a Lincoln MEL, but I actually made it from various spare Ford FE parts- mainly from the '66 Fairlane kits. I also reworked the 6-carb 'log' manifold and used the '25 T Double Kit's valve covers, as shown in the drawing. The carb stacks and headers will come later. I also moved some stuff around to help make the engine look a bit more like an MEL and less like an FE, though there's only so much you can do in that regard.

And I wrapped up the initial flurry of activity with the construction of the front end- consisting of the '34 rollers, and an AMT '50 Chevy pickup street machine front axle with a scratchbuilt tie rod.

That is all for now, next project will probably be starting on the front half the frame (using a '25 T coupe body to get the basic measurements), hunting up the various little detail bits, and, yeah, ordering a body!

Edited October 12, 2010 by Chuck Most

[Harry P.]

This will be good!

One suggestion: Take out the solid piece in the grille shell and use some sort of mesh instead. You can still keep the Lincoln logo, but things would look better if the grille had an open mesh.

[Chuck Most]

There goes Harry again, making my photos look way better!

I am considering the mesh in the grille, perhaps to match the pattern in the rear windows, or something that looks like a radiator. This might end up with a rear-mounted radiator, but that doesn't kill the possibility of a mesh insert for the grille.

[Harold]

Another wild one from the twisted brain of Chuck Most (how the heck does he do it???????).

[Jantrix]

Sounds cool. Looks good so far.

[Harry P.]

Another wild one from the twisted brain of Chuck Most (how the heck does he do it???????).

One of the most creative builders I've seen...

[SoCalCarCulture]

One of the coolest features of a center door T is the rear window...

[Harry P.]

You don't see many of these. Were they low production items back in the day? Or "expensive," as far as Model T's go?

[Jairus]

It was just another variant of the model "T" Henry (or FoMoCo) came up with. Relatively as expensive as any other model. Judging from the body shape, a retro design harkening back to the days of the expensive carriage or commercial stagecoach in my opinion. Henry tried many different body styles and most were abandon after a few years of production. Roadster pickup, Convertible B-400 and Phaeton for example. Henry was very "cheap" and might have introduced the model with the thought that with only two doors... it cost less to produce. It may have initially been marketed to the more "affluent", but ultimately was only produced 1915 to 1922 or 23.

As 1922 drew to a close, a $725 four-door sedan -- which Ford impishly dubbed a "Fordor" -- was added to the Model T roster. It was not well publicized in the beginning, but internally dealers were instructed to "push" the existing center-door sedan, with its two doors that opened into the rear compartment, requiring the driver and front passenger to squeeze through between the two individual front seats in order to be seated. (It seems safe to presume that the frugal Henry Ford was intent upon using up remaining stocks of the older bodies.)

Edited September 28, 2010 by Jairus

[Modelmartin]

Sedans were more expensive to make in the early days and most closed cars were actually limousines or open driver compartment type with enclosed passenger space. For sedans that were "owner-driven" the center door set-up was somewhat common. It had more to do with duplicating carriage body styles than anything else. They were also more rigid with the wood frame construction. There is an Auburn in the ACD museum that has a door on one side for the rear passengers and one on the other side for the front passengers! By the 20s the center door was obsolete except for the T. Henry Ford was never accused of being ahead of the times! As far as other body styles went - many other manufacturers produced the same styles and they went out of favor at about the same time as Fords did. As it became cheaper to make enclosed cars, open cars went out of favor.

Chuck! How about wire mesh in all of the windows like the Golden Submarine? That would be tres cool!

Edited September 29, 2010 by Modelmartin

[Harry P.]

...a retro design harkening back to the days of the expensive carriage or commercial stagecoach in my opinion.

Yes, I see your point. It does look very much like a typical Wells-Fargo stagecoach body.

[ScaleSpeedShop]

I have the ModelMartin version that I bought in Kansas City a few years ago. I plan on building a unchopped vintage Rod using many of the rod parts found in AMT's 25 T kits.

[Chuck Most]

I have the ModelMartin version that I bought in Kansas City a few years ago. I plan on building a unchopped vintage Rod using many of the rod parts found in AMT's 25 T kits.

Do it! And we'd better see it!

The old center door T was an oddball, but I think the much more common 'one door' roadsters were even stranger. Why would you put only one door on a car... OPPOSITE the side the driver sits? My grandfather has a '25 T roadster with only the passenger door- he says he thinks the door was on the passenger side so that if you parked parallel to a curb, you wouldn't need to step out into the street to enter/exit the car.

Anywho- I have made some progress...

I made up a front 'subframe' using the drilled bumpers from an AMT '53 Ford F-100, and various scraps of Plastruct and spare parts. I also made up some carb stacks from 5/32" aluminum tube, slash cut and getting taller from front to back. In the side profile, they look about the same height, but in the front and rear views it looks like I made them stepped, so that's the look I went with. The pipes look wicked (you should've heard them belt out "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" ), can't wait until I figure out something for the headers!

I decided against the mesh for the radiator shell, but instead added a 'slatted' piece of plastic, which was painted with a sludgy wash of red and black. I also cobbled up a radiator from scrap Plastruct...

Then, I managed to hook everything up to my front 'sub frame', the rest of the frame will start being mapped out once I get the body (early next week if all goes to plan).

[rustybill1960]

OH WOW CHUCK!

this is one sick build Man!

huh, radiator hoses for horns, geez, only you man!

Thank You for sharing (your sickness)

Awesome looking build Dude!

Gonna be watching this one

Later

Russ

Edited September 30, 2010 by rustybill1960

[AzTom]

Shaping up nice Chuck. You come up with the wildest darn things,lol

AzTom

[W-409]

This is going to be great! That engine looks very nice and wheels and tires are 1:1 looking! Nice job, keep on the good work!

[Chuck Most]

Minor progress...

I added the headlamps last night, they are from an MPC '28 Lincoln kit and mounted to a scratchbuilt bar.

[made007]

cool man, it looks awesome

[Chuck Most]

Just putting it out there- I am in need of the 'zoomie' headers from the AMT boat kit (the one reissued with the '70 Pontiac a couple of years ago)These are the ones I'm talking about-

And I'm also in dire need of a pair of Monogram '41 Lincoln wheels, hubcaps, and whitewall tires.

I've got stuff to trade- get with me on the details!

[Chuck Most]

The Center Door T body ships today- guess I'll have it around Friday or so. In the meantime, I've been 'parts harvesting'...

I made up a grenade shifter, and a connecting rod was made up for use as a steering arm, it was made from styrene sheet and Ma's Resin bolt heads. The other little doodads are spares box scores.

[Ryan S.]

The grenade shifter is awesome. Can't wait to see this one come together.

[David G.]

Looks like this will be a fun one to watch!

[Romell R]

This will be good!

One suggestion: Take out the solid piece in the grille shell and use some sort of mesh instead. You can still keep the Lincoln logo, but things would look better if the grille had an open mesh.

Harry I am very afriad of your ability to alter photos in photoshop! Its almost UNATURAL no really good job man And this is an excellent project I will be watching closly

Edited October 6, 2010 by Aftashox

[Chuck Most]

Quite a bit of progress lately!

Last night, I made up the fuel tank. It's flattened 5/8" brass tubing, with styrene endcaps and filler neck. The frame it sits on is all scraps of Plastruct, and I used photoetched straps and Ma's Resin bolt heads to fasten it with 'leather' belts made from a manilla envelope.

But the REAL fun began this morning...

I recieved a package from a Mr. Andy Martin containing these wheels...

And another package from Steve Kohler at STAR Models containing this...

I disassembled the wheels for paint and detailing, and cut open the roof of the T body to open up the interior. In this photo, the Lincoln tire is simply leaned up against the body.

I detailed out the wheels, and attached them to a '37 Ford pickup axle. Here's how they looked with the tread sanded, the wheels grimed up, and a spotty dull coat.

Then, I cut out the 'breathing holes' for the old banjo axle. I also permanently attached the grenade-knob shifter.

Now, I'll have to figure out mounting and orientation of the fuel tank.

Then, it'll be on to finishing the frame, weathering the body and , of course, fitting out the interior!

[Modelmartin]

Now, That's a ride!!! I would call it the Roof-Door Sedan now!