Projects Making 1919 Paco Body Model T Speedster

I am currently building a 1919 Paco Body from scratch - I had a thread on here a few days ago asking if anyone knew of any original bodies still left in existence. I had gotten a lot of requests in that thread to share pictures of my progress. I will be posting pictures as I go and trying to explain everything the best I can. If you have any questions feel free to holler at me.

Original Paco Body Model 21



In the early teens a few companies offered a replacement body that would replace the standard Model T body of the day. Paco was one of the first to be nationally advertised.


2 of my original Paco ads one of which was printed in 1916



Starting to construct the wood buck to fit pannels to

Cowl Section of the body complete with same sweeps as the original car


Cowl and Hood - giving an exact visual of where the radiator and grille shell is located



Bird's eye view of the body before boat tail stations are added



I though this was a cool view of underneath the car



Boat tail section complete


Cool shot I snapped of the shop as seen through the side door with the finished wood buck on the table



Paper Pattern of the cowl and determining the location of the highlight line and well as the pattern for the part and where shape will need to be placed


Planishing the turned flange on the one piece cowl


One piece cowl -

 

Thanks for posting this, at some point in the near future I hope to begin such a project, your photos are great inspiration. Subscribed and looking forward to following progress.

 

I'm in for the ride too.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

I like it , folowing.

 

Wow, great work and cool history on these bodies.

 

Thanks for sharing . Amazing project and metal working skills. Your shop , the old brick building gives off some cool vibes for a car building shop.

 

My thoughts exactly ^^^^^^.Fine skills indeed.

 

I like it. Will be following this.

 

Good stuff! That shop is amazing!

 

Nice work and very clean! I look forward to watching this. As far as your poll is concerned, I would and I did.

 

In the dumb question department... why not keep some of the wood used for the buck / body shaping, finish it nicely, and use it in the car? It can't be that heavy, eh? Gary

 

Awesome project. Any idea how long Paco was in business and how many bodies they produced?
Love the shop. What's the history of the old building?

 

WOW! What a great project, Welcome to the HAMB!! Looks like you have all the tools and know how to use them. There was an original PACO at Hershey a few years ago. I had a Morton & Brett speedster years ago, should have kept it. Bob

 

I don't think they made many bodies, and i suspect many were wrecked in races and things of that nature- the shop was originally built in 1930 and was a Diamond T Truck manufacturing plant -it got abandoned at some point and used to host rave parties till I took over

 

You are creating a masterpiece and you are the Craftsman. That is a beautiful machine. I think the building is happy your there now...It is a very fitting backdrop for your craft. I have worked in old buildings and thought of the people and things that have passed through over the years. Thanks for sharing.

The survey...I would love to have a speedster roadworthy to hop in and go for a ride but my resources are tied up in my current ride. That deep maroon one just gets the desire to hop in and go flowing...it would be a blast.

 

That is going to be such a cool car!....man, that is such a great project build and love that ''look'' you are creating,....talk about a 'head turner'!!!....thanks for sharing.

 

Starting to pattern the sides , laying out flange and where shape is required.


Note the staggered seats, Paco staggered their seats as early as 1915 to give the driver more elbow room.


Bird's eye view, notice both sides and top are one piece

 

Great project. Nice work.

VR&C.

 

terrific project

 

Welding the other half, all welds are planished, no grinding

 

Couldn't have said it better. Nice work!

 

Full rolling chassis for the body

 

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Glad to see you back! Really nice work . Blue

 

Gawd that looks great! Gary

 

Wow! Fantastic work, I'm watching.

 

Excellent!

 

Very nice! Love your work!