The Ford Barn

ilangford · 10-25-2020, 02:47 PM

Newbie to Model A; thought I knew a few things, but beginning to think, not so much! Please help identify what this is 'thing' in picture attached.

Thank you!

Bob C · 10-25-2020, 02:52 PM

Looks like a Bermuda bell.

ilangford · 10-25-2020, 03:00 PM

Bob, You are a genius! Exactly that! Once I got the plunger unstuck, wow! Have to ask a follow up? Was this a 'stock item' by Ford, or is it more likely a prior owner bolted this on?
Thanks!!!

alexiskai · 10-25-2020, 03:21 PM

Bermuda bells were popular in the '50s as add-ons, a way to give the car additional personality.

Purdy Swoft · 10-25-2020, 04:11 PM

I remember seeing them in JC Whitney catalogs , years ago .

shew01 · 10-25-2020, 04:21 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Okay.... I haven�t seen one of these before. What does it do? Presumably, it would ring, but why would the driver want it to ring? Just to make a different sound?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Clem Clement · 10-25-2020, 04:48 PM

Reproduction Bermuda bell. Years ago I missed a original one for $20! Pep Boys , western Auto, and others sold them. They are poorly designed. Unscrew the bell and look at the plunger. I replaced my weak plunger with an automobile valve. The striker is adjustable. The sound supposedly is a chick magnet.

They mount on the floorboards so your heal can stomp the plunger. Never saw one on the firewall.
Sometimes the hammer grounds on the bell and ruins the sound.

SSsssteamer · 10-26-2020, 10:13 AM

The "Bermuda Bell" was a correct period accessory around 1899 to 1905 in the Locomobile steamer car and other makes at that time. Their sound was a Ding, Dong! They usually were mounted to the floor board of the car, and they were foot operated.

Charlie Stephens · 10-26-2020, 11:16 AM

Any chance there is a hole in the firewall to operate it from the inside of the car?

Charlie Stephens

McMimmcs · 10-26-2020, 11:34 AM

I have one in two of my Model A’s ( one original ) but they are both mounted on the floor. Google them for more information.

Mikeinnj · 10-26-2020, 02:10 PM

From the JC Whitney Catalog

imacrazy · 10-26-2020, 02:38 PM

Ilangford, thanks for the memory I had a Bermuda bell on the floor board of
my 19 50 Ford.
Bill

ilangford · 10-26-2020, 07:15 PM

yes, the plunger is through the firewall... but I didn't know it was a plunger until I started getting answers on this thread!

ilangford · 10-26-2020, 07:16 PM

THanks, MIke!

John Dayhuff · 10-26-2020, 08:22 PM

I'm still looking for one of these if anyone has one for sale.
Thanks,

McMimmcs · 10-26-2020, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Dayhuff

I'm still looking for one of these if anyone has one for sale.
Thanks,

If Hershey ever opens up again, they are plentiful and not too expensive for the reproductions! Originals are not easy to be had.

gdmn852 · 10-27-2020, 01:19 AM

Hello I think old street cars used them also as a signal device too.

John Dayhuff · 10-27-2020, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

If Hershey ever opens up again, they are plentiful and not too expensive for the reproductions! Originals are not easy to be had.

We'll I'll probably never make it to Hershey again but thats good to know anyways. Thanks,

Werner · 10-27-2020, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Dayhuff

I'm still looking for one of these if anyone has one for sale.
Thanks,

I am also very interested in this foot bell. If anyone want to send one to Germany, please offer.

Jeff P. / MN · 10-27-2020, 08:26 AM

I have one original on my Model T and a repro on my Model A. The repro actually sounds better and is louder!

10-25-2020, 03:00 PM	#3
ilangford Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Posts: 17	Re: What is this on my Model A firewall? Bob, You are a genius! Exactly that! Once I got the plunger unstuck, wow! Have to ask a follow up? Was this a 'stock item' by Ford, or is it more likely a prior owner bolted this on? Thanks!!!

10-25-2020, 03:21 PM	#4
alexiskai Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mebane NC Posts: 788	Re: What is this on my Model A firewall? Bermuda bells were popular in the '50s as add-ons, a way to give the car additional personality.

10-25-2020, 04:11 PM	#5
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,090	Re: What is this on my Model A firewall? I remember seeing them in JC Whitney catalogs , years ago .

10-25-2020, 04:21 PM	#6
shew01 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Roanoke, VA USA Posts: 1,031	Re: What is this on my Model A firewall? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Okay.... I haven�t seen one of these before. What does it do? Presumably, it would ring, but why would the driver want it to ring? Just to make a different sound? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-25-2020, 04:48 PM	#7
Clem Clement Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 3,076	Re: What is this on my Model A firewall? Reproduction Bermuda bell. Years ago I missed a original one for $20! Pep Boys , western Auto, and others sold them. They are poorly designed. Unscrew the bell and look at the plunger. I replaced my weak plunger with an automobile valve. The striker is adjustable. The sound supposedly is a chick magnet. They mount on the floorboards so your heal can stomp the plunger. Never saw one on the firewall. Sometimes the hammer grounds on the bell and ruins the sound.

10-26-2020, 10:13 AM	#8
SSsssteamer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA Posts: 1,007	Re: What is this on my Model A firewall? The "Bermuda Bell" was a correct period accessory around 1899 to 1905 in the Locomobile steamer car and other makes at that time. Their sound was a Ding, Dong! They usually were mounted to the floor board of the car, and they were foot operated. Last edited by SSsssteamer; 10-26-2020 at 10:19 AM.

10-26-2020, 11:16 AM	#9
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,577	Re: What is this on my Model A firewall? Any chance there is a hole in the firewall to operate it from the inside of the car? Charlie Stephens

10-26-2020, 11:34 AM	#10
McMimmcs Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Posts: 1,035	Re: What is this on my Model A firewall? I have one in two of my Model A’s ( one original ) but they are both mounted on the floor. Google them for more information.

10-26-2020, 02:38 PM	#12
imacrazy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 135	Re: What is this on my Model A firewall? Ilangford, thanks for the memory I had a Bermuda bell on the floor board of my 19 50 Ford. Bill

10-26-2020, 07:15 PM	#13
ilangford Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Posts: 17	Re: What is this on my Model A firewall? yes, the plunger is through the firewall... but I didn't know it was a plunger until I started getting answers on this thread!

10-26-2020, 07:16 PM	#14
ilangford Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Posts: 17	Re: What is this on my Model A firewall? THanks, MIke!

10-26-2020, 08:22 PM	#15
John Dayhuff Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Battle Creek, Michigan Posts: 99	Re: What is this on my Model A firewall? I'm still looking for one of these if anyone has one for sale. Thanks, __________________ John

10-27-2020, 01:19 AM	#17
gdmn852 Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erie Pa Posts: 80	Re: What is this on my Model A firewall? Hello I think old street cars used them also as a signal device too.

10-27-2020, 08:26 AM	#20
Jeff P. / MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeland, MN Posts: 280	Re: What is this on my Model A firewall? I have one original on my Model T and a repro on my Model A. The repro actually sounds better and is louder! __________________ Jeff P./Mn 1930 Model A Tudor 1913 Model T Runabout 1919 Model T Touring (restoration project)

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