Is there an easy way to tell original Ford fenders from Rootlieb reproductions? I just bought my first Model T (have restored Model A’s and flathead V8’s for many years), and I’m trying to sort out what I have. It’s a 1917 touring that was “restored” some time in the ‘60s or ‘70s, and the fenders, splash aprons, and running boards are quite nice and free from any pitting on the underside. I don’t even know if Rootlieb was in business then. Maybe they’re NOS! Know that one of the front fenders is a ‘25 version, and I’ll have to replace it.
Original vs. Rootlieb fenders
- Thread starter Bruce_MO
- Start date
rotorwrench
Well-known member
I haven't studied the original stampings enough to answer this question. Maybe others have. Rootlieb uses the same guage steel as OEM and from what I've seen, they appear to be very good quality stampings. If they bolt up with good alignment and have characteristics that are very close to OEM then most of the battle is won. It seems that most reproduction stampings need at least some adjustments to get them right so I would be surprised if the Rootlieb parts didn't.
I like straightening good originals but would use reproduction in a pinch. It always depends on how much work it would take to repair old ones. Too much effort is the balancing factor on repair versus replace. My time is valuable as anyone's so that's worth the consideration.
I like straightening good originals but would use reproduction in a pinch. It always depends on how much work it would take to repair old ones. Too much effort is the balancing factor on repair versus replace. My time is valuable as anyone's so that's worth the consideration.
J Franklin
Well-known member
Aftermarket parts were available for the model T many years after they stopped producing the cars. It would be hard to determine if they are Ford fenders.