Door sills and the only deffinitive i know, i've heard a little bit of the stamping on the doors before, but cant get a good answer
'26 has a square raised plug in the rear end; '27 has square recessed. There is a small difference in the A pillar at the top hinge. New deck lids are available several places.
Any good suppliers of sheet metal for 26/27 roadsters? I have a nice complete roadster body that I bought a few years ago ($207.50 at auction with a full truck load of Model A parts!) but it's in need of a couple of patches (like around around the top of the seating area, sub-frame rails). I haven't started the build yet...just collecting parts... Wish I had had a bunch of cash at that auction...'35 Ford 5 window sold for $800 (solid overall, but needed lower body patched), '36 Ford 3 window ($1200 - very straight solid car), restored '30 roadster for $5500, PILES of model A thru '36 fenders (talking @ 10 fenders in a pile) for $5....list goes on and on!
Main difference in the bodys is that the lower piece of the rear quarter is long on a '26 and extends way back. On a '27 it only extends back about 4 inches to a separate filler piece.
Lots of differances! Early and late cowls, windsheild posts, doors, two different turtle decks, full floor and no floor, side curtain rod holes in doors are the ones that come to mind. Rear crossmember on the chassis differ, and the running board Ford script is large and small. Yes, I like 26-27 Fords.
ford didnt really like the whole model year thing back the , constant running changes, bottom o windshield post, doors , cowl, etc.
The headligt bar on 27 .26 have no bar think 3 ore 4 diferent bars on 27 dont remember all things that differ my father has a 27 roadster thats made the last month they made model t differ a lot from earlier 27 but most things you most realy know whats you are locking fore On a hotrod the dont make any differens
I'd like to echo what flamed34 asked; What suppliers are there out there for 26/27 roadsters with patch panels, door skins, etc?
I just got done replacing the panel below my decklid, it was an 1/8 wider than the factory panel above the lid, which was something like a bit over 1/16 wider than it shoulda been compared to my decklid structure. So it all adds up to the panel below the decklid is close to 1/4" wider than is should be compaired to my decklid, but as i said even my factory stuff was off So i guess for me i'm gunna streach my decklid to match when i reskin it
BAAAAAD experience with this joker. Would ONLY buy from him if I saw the parts in my hand first. Deceiving EVEN with pictures. Not sure that I even got what he promised. Rough cut out with a torch, and as bad as what I was replacing. Plus, forever to ship. Caveat emptor
I'll bite, where? While we're at it, is there really a decent patch panel supplier out there you can trust? One with parts that fit close enough you can tweak them to make them work instead of remanufacturing them, or tossing them and making your own up from scratch? One who will deliver when THEY say they will?
My car is some kind of a model T. I was told 27. The bondo came off the door with the help of power tools and I have these holes above the door latch and handle. Right where a modern push lock button would be. What is it for?
For patch panels check out www.mowercountycustoms.com John is a member here, I believe his handle is mcc7 He can build anything you want.
Probably not important here, but '27 spindles are different. They lower the front axle 1" and are sought after for speedsters.
The 1926-27 T's had a large rear brake drum, and are good to use on T speedsters too. Very early Midget Race cars used these drums with 12' rimsc welded to them to make wheels. That 6 bolt hub pattern that ford used on the wood wheels became the standars in Midget racing for many years.
I'm trusting memory here, but didn't Ford add front brakes in '27? Knowing Ford, it probably didn't coincide with a model year change, probably a running change somewhere in late '26 or early '27.
You are going to find most all of the replacement and patch panels come from Howell's. Trying to sort out the variations in the two years has driven more that on person to drinking. Henry was known to make changes at the drop of a hat. That continued till Edsel took command of the company. Ron
A couple of guys said door jams, you can't loose. When I'm looking at A rusty pos hulk, I go by the door jam. 26 are screwed in, 27 are rivited.
Side curtains, have you a link to a photo or a picture of a side curtian. Rains 6 months a year here. Ok more like 7.5. I want some kind of splash / rain windows. Can anyone help with a photo or a link.
you can use outer 26/27 door skins to make inside door panels. they have the same compound shape. you can put 4 2" holes in the center. you at least have something to work with. think about it. dick