I remember being told that at one time the esteemed auto publication, Hemmings Motor News, had listing categories for Ford and then everything else as Ford was such a dominant brand in Hemming’s early years. I don’t know if that is exactly true but Ford, still to this day, has a pretty commanding grasp on the old car market and the 15M Model T’s produced is one of the reasons why. And for your review, here is an example from 1924 in the form of a coupe body style that is for sale in Tujunga, California. It is available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $7,000.
The Model T (1908-1927) was as varied a car as you’ll ever find considering all of the body styles and model applications that came from its basic design. Those styles in ’24 included, at the least, a Tudor Sedan, Fordor Sedan, Coupe, a Touring car, a Runabout – probably a few more too. A coupe, such as this example, retailed for only $525 and in 1924 prices, that was quite reasonable! While the T was getting long in the tooth by ’24 and was ready for a replacement, it enjoyed its second-best year with a total of 1.9 M copies; only ’23 surpassed it with 2.0 M. Hmmm, is that a cryptic message in the windshield being offered?
Last changing hands in ’93, stored in dry storage, and being largely apart, the seller states that he has everything to effect completion but the headlight lenses and the door glass. The interior wood structure was replaced in the ’80s or ’90s and the body panels are sound and rust-free. This is one of those kinds of projects acquired mid-restoration and it appears as if that’s about to repeat itself. Clearly, there is a tremendous amount of knowledge surrounding these cars that is available and that will be of help to a potential buyer who has little to no familiarity with a Model T. I know I’d be lost; I’m not sure what some of these parts are.
The engine is the standard 177 CI, in-line, four-cylinder Model T powerplant, good for 20 HP. The seller claims that the motor turns freely by hand and there are, “many new or rebuilt resto parts included such as Kingston and Zenith carbs, electric starter, intake and exhaust manifolds, coil box and coils, drive/brake bands/linings, generator…” There is no reference to the transmission but it’s probably the standard two-speed gearbox.
The seller advises that the seat upholstery is intact but it’s hard to tell as it appears to be covered with a deteriorating plastic cover. Whatever the case, the single seat’s condition is minor in the scheme of things – at least it has one. The roof fabric looks to be intact too, that’s a bit of a surprise! Whatever minimal instrumentation this Ford had positioned in its dashboard is now missing, though again, the seller states that he has all the parts but the two previously mentioned items.
There is a lot to consider here, not the least of which is the fact that this car is almost a century old; think of all of the events, private and public, that this Ford has lived through! The trick here is picking up an assemble-it-yourself-project, and as stated in previous cases, not knowing with certainty if you have everything that’ll you need for completion. Also, added to the mix, is the passing of trends as it seems that cars like the Model T just don’t engender the type of interest today that they did when Hemmings had a Ford and an “everything else” category. Hopefully, a new owner is right around the corner. So please tell me, any current or former Model T owners out there who would like to share their future outlook for the venerable T?
I won’t make a general statement like “nobody cares anymore”, because clearly, some still do. Hemmings began in 1954, when Ernest Hemmings, a then worker at his fathers Ford dealer, began categorizing old Model T and A parts, gathering dust on the shelves. I believe it was a 4 page publication, and look what it’s turned into. Anything BUT Model T, it seems. Interest? Well, you tell me. On a Mecum auction the other day, a 1926 Model T, a 4 door, probably one of the last ones made, BARELY mustered $9 grand, and it was spotless. Also, I think they still used the “3 pedal” shifting, and quite frankly, I think I’d have trouble with. They were pushing the auction car, so I imagine the driver didn’t know either. Cool find, if you’re over 60. In the not so distant future, I wonder what’s going to happen to these era cars of limited interest.
Howard, I resemble that statement, I’m over 60 [way over!] and I’m not interested in early Fords!
Most cars get pushed across the auction block, but sometimes get fired up to pull out of the arena. The Model T was no exception. Wouldn’t want to hear some of the sounds of the performance/exotics in low gear while also trying to hear the bids and the auctioneer’s big mouth over the PA.
Most of you if not all of you have never driven a model T or a model A. I can tell you they are one of the funnier car to drive ever made. In town they are great. I drive my 26 roadster all the time. We take it to Safeway out to eat. I drive it to work. Parts are cheap. And easy and fun to work on. You would not believe how many things and be done with just one model T wrench. Just a few are plugs head tires and much more. One wrench. What is old is new again. One coil per cylinder. You can start one three different ways. One being auto start key on pull a small lever and it starts. And 15 to 20 miles to gallon!
Aren’t almost all Model T’s “Almost a Century Old!”? Not really unique qualifier.
Those that are still in existence are, but how many is that “Grumpy”? Any automobile that makes it to the century mark, like people, is pretty notable, especially considering that it has only been a bit over a century since automobiles first appeared.
JO
I’d be a player at 3K…
Can you imagine any car of today making it 100 years into the future and be a viable driver with little work, like a T? I can’t. That’s a puzzle, but a simple one to put back together for anyone mechanically inclined. No crap electronics or complicated drivetrain to fail. Easily fixed, Simple honest transportation that would survive a civilization tech failure. My kind of car. Wish I had a place for it. Yes priced a little high given the need to reassemble.
That’s the problem with the T, so many were produced that even a century later there are lots of them out there. As Howard A noted, even a pristine model garners less than 10K. No one buys horse buggys anymore either.
Yes they do. Horse buggies are just not where you can see them. Like the freeways. Ever hear of the Amish?
When it comes to any gas powered car, the days are numbered guys. No gas means power plant swaps for the hot rods.
NOT KIDDING!!!
Its a museum piece but not much more. Many T bodys were transformed into hotrods during the 30s or 40s, but theres not much interest in them anymore these days. But nice find anyway.
I think you are maybe out of touch with the model T community. There are many thousands of stock model Ts on the road today. Yes, most of the T owners are over 60 but there is growing interest in them with younger people and not just with rat rods and hot rods. In fact most hot rods that are presented as T buckets have no actual antique parts at all.
The wide variety of PTO equipment these things powered was remarkable and probably worth more today than the car itself.
Collectibility seems to be rarity + desirability. I think old ladies like these lack the desirability factor to bring top dollar so they’re mostly just museum pieces now. That said, I think this is cool as hell and I’d probably pay the asking price –if I had the garage space.
Now THAT’S a barn find!
I know of a ’23 that has been restored and it drives “like new”. He wants what he paid for it 20 years ago…$7500, even that’s a stretch. btw, the controls are more tractor than car in my mind. Driving them are a blast once you get the hang of it! :)
It would be tight, but I could get a small block in there.
Lots of fun to drive, actually. Not difficult at all. Price for this one way out of line.
If you’re a father with a young son or 2, this is a great car to buy and fix up together, as a first time learning experience. If you make a few minor mistakes, it’s not going to be hard to make ’em right again. Paint it in your own private plastic paint booth, then carefully wet sand it. It sounds like the previous owners have already spent a fair amount of cash obtaining the needed new parts. Have fun, chances are your kids will never forget the experience, and they might stay away from the wrong crowd! And your spouse will know where you and the kids are at night and weekends!
Da hood iz ons bakwerds!
Phil,
Did it ever occur to you that the last time the car was backed into the garage, when it was always driven in forwards in the past? If so, the hood was installed in the direction it was always pointing!
I Recently lost a friend that had a phenomenal 26 T. His plan was to leave it to a museum, but never did the paperwork. Now his daughter has it. She had to push it out of the rented storage facility into her garage, because she doesn’t know how to start it, or drive it. But she HAD to have it. I imagine it will rot away in her garage until she is pushing up daises.
Bob McK,
Perhaps a conversation with the new owner about the different possibilities that exist for what to do with the car. if she was to donate it, perhaps she could enjoy a tax reduction. She could also donate it to a high school for the auto shop to restore. Or as a fundraiser for places like the local Fire Dept.
Bill, all excellent ideas, but she is much more of a hoarder than giver.
Bob,
I know about hoarders very well, been buying stuff from either them or their heirs for several decades. With hoarders all you can do is let them know you’re available to help them with the problem when they are ready. for their heirs, if it’s a car, I typically will place my business cards both inside the glove box, and in an easy-to-see location, often in the crack between instrument panel pieces, marked “I’m interested in this car”, or whatever collectible item it might be. I never put a price with the cards, and several high value items were given to me, even vehicles.
About 40 years ago I met an elderly lady in Cabin John, MD, who was a serious hoarder, to the point it was almost impossible to walk anywhere in her house. She had a 1948 Packard Custom Eight 2-door fastback that she bought new. It was dark blue with the dark blue wool broadcloth interior. She knew I adored her car, but I also knew she would never sell her baby. I never tried to buy it, and she once told me I was the only car guy who never tried to buy it from her.
Years later I read a note in the paper about an elderly lady in Cabin John who died in a terrible fire because she was trapped by all the stuff in her house. I drove by the badly burned house and saw the Packard sitting in the driveway. I left a large note on the front seat where it could be read from outside the car, locked the doors, and hoped someone would call me.
About a week later an attorney for the family called me and asked when I could remove the car. He also asked me for my current address, so he could send me the title to the car, as she left it to me in her will. She had even gone to the trouble of putting the title and keys in an envelope that she gave to the attorney, who had them when she died.
When I went to get the car, several family members were methodically going thru the parts of the house left unburnt. They told me about finding suitcases of money hidden in the house. They said she was very well off financially, but she gave the appearance of living in poverty.
Great story. Thanks for sharing. Still have the Packard?
Bob McK,
Sadly, the Packard had sat outside for many years, and the tin worms had done a lot of damage, and that beautiful all WOOL interior hosted way too many moths over the years. Mice had caused that wonderful front-to-rear ribbed headliner to fall apart.
But because it was a Custom Eight, and their parts were always hard to find, I used many parts on several other Packards I owned, as well as providing pieces for plenty of other Packards.
I had a 1948 Packard Custom Eight 2250 Henney-built limousine with a fully locked engine, from the head having been pulled & left off for 30+ years, so the engine went into the limo. The transmission with the R-9 overdrive, went into my 1940 Packard 1808 Super Eight 180 limousine.
Not too many car guys today are interested in buying, restoring or having a Model T Ford. Its a museum piece. That ship has sailed