I’m not really sure what all the fascination with T & A is exactly, but it seems you people just can’t get enough. You’re just insatiable! Last month’s article featured one of each, but this time around it’s a no-holds-barred, completely uncensored black paint and blue oval on metal, red hot Model T and Model A action. Don’t let your wife catch you checking out these rare body…styles. First up is not one, but two scarce “center door” Model Ts. Advertised here on craigslist in northern Illinois, the beautiful example shown above with the straw-colored wheels is a 1921 and the seller is asking $14,000. He says it runs and looks good, is complete and has “rocky mountain brakes” and new safety glass.
But those of you who may be looking for one of these in a more affordable, project car condition need not despair, for the other example offered is a 1919 center door, which is also said to run and look good, but needs glass, top and interior. The asking price is $6,500, and the seller says he will consider offers for both.
Continuing our T & A across America tour, we’re now going to swing south to Paducah, Kentucky to find this not-as-scarce but still desirable 1926 touring car on craigslist. The asking price is $1,500. This project car would probably be better left to an experienced restorer who already has a nice stockpile of parts, because it’s obviously missing some stuff.
The seller says the engine is not stuck, and that it rolls and steers. I think I’d like to go see it, just to watch the plywood front wheels work. But hey, the original wheels were wood too, right? So what’s the big deal?
At least the oft-missing folding top frame is included. The seller says the body is solid, but we can see it needs at least minor rust repair along the bottom in a few places, and appears to be currently stored outdoors.
You like touring cars, but you want one that doesn’t need so much work? We’ve got one coming up next, just keep your shirt on.
This one is a 1925 touring car, which the seller says was brought back from Argentina in 1985. At least we know it’s never seen road salt. It looks like a nice original-condition car, but the seller says it has a new top and interior. Running when last parked about twenty years ago.
The asking price is $9,000, which seems reasonable for a car that already has the soft parts replaced, and doesn’t need a whole summer’s worth of floor brace welding and panel replacement.
I’m assuming said soft parts were replaced when the car was last being used, which is long ago enough that those parts might almost look original again by now.
This fine touring car can be found for sale here on craigslist in Chicago, Illinois.
More? You dog, you! So far it’s been all “T” and no “A”. But once again, Barn Finds delivers. For those of us who may not be particularly well versed in all the various Model A body forms, (there are 30 different configurations), first know that this one is considerably more scarce than the common two door sedans or regular closed-roof coupes. This is called a Sport Coupe, and is also known as a “cabriolet”.
Note the difference between it and a regular roadster. This one has doors like a regular closed car with frames around the windows. But the top goes down, and it makes those passengers riding in the rumble seat seem not so far away.
This one has incorrect sealed-beam headlights and a fancy radiator cap, but the seller says it’s otherwise an “all original, VERY solid car with no rust“, and has been blasted and is in primer. He says it runs, drives and stops, and that it’s a great way into the hobby. I agree. If you’d like to know more, check out his craigslist ad, and go see the car in Mayfield, Kentucky. The asking price for this one is also $9,000, and the seller says extra parts and supplies are included.
Those who like to spend time on their own rods and prefer them a little ratty aren’t going to be left out either. This Sport Coupe-builder is available for $1,200, in Masillon, Ohio, on craigslist. It’s rough, but the rare body style certainly opens up lots of unique possibility for the imaginative builder. And there may be a bit or two still left on it to sell to a restorer and help fund the project.
What, you still want more? That’s it! There are no more. Now erase your browser history and get back to whatever you were doing previously, but only after leaving a comment below. Which T or A do you like best and why? What would you like to do to one of these cars if you had the chance? Let us know every sordid detail, but keep it clean. After all, this is a family place!
That ’26 is actually tempting. Barring any surprises, it doesn’t need much to be a driving car. Profit potential or a decent project that you can drive.
I really like the plywood disc wheels on the ’26! Seriously, I wouldn’t having the ’26 or the basket case cabriolet.
Basket case cabriolet.
The problem with any of these if you are looking to fix and flip is they made a million of them. The market is covered up with them. There are some that are more rare and sought after. A couple of these look like a good hot rod project or fix up to drive in the parade. They can be fun!
Gives new meaning to the term T&A
Regarding the Model A’s—–“-Not also known as a cabriolet” -Sport coupe tops do not go down–They are two different cars– Both very undesirable for any street rod activity /Lee
Lee, You made me go “get the book out”. You are correct. The Sport coupe, (50-B) has fake landau irons on the top and the top does not go down. The Cabriolet, (68-C) is a “convertible”. Once the top is down there is no door frame surrounding the window. I learned something today.
Lee, JW, I even know someone who owns a cabriolet, and I still managed to blow it on this one. I’ll be more careful next time. Thanks.
I have to say I would want the basket case cabriolet…seems as though everybody is only concerned about the potential to turn a profit but I would like to have it just to build a driver. I have wanted to build one with a toyota/lexus V8 for some time now and the price of admission on the rough one would be a good place to start
Personally I’ve always liked the ‘Tall’ Model-T coupes.. modified of course :)
I’d take the Paducah Phaeton, upgraded suspension, flathead v8, 32 model wires maybe a 32 frame, resto rod style.
The biggest problem with thse old fords and other cars from this era is not rust but rotted wood. Up until the early thirties most car bodies were metal sheet over a wooden frame. This old Buick, for example, has no rust, the engine was rebuilt and most of the metal work was done, but the the car is pretty much worthless because it needs work on the wood body frame. Very few folks have the skill or desire to do the work. There are companies the reproduce the wood for a few cars.
If I’m not mistaken, new wood kits are readily available for virtually all of the Model A body styles. As well, most of the Model A’s never had a whole lot of wood in them to begin with. I have a ’30 two door sedan and most of what little wood it has is up in the roof area. It has plywood (birch) floor panels that sit down in steel rails, these are flat and could be easily replicated at home, but new ready made floor panels are available that are reasonably priced.
BTW, I checked out the article on the Buick and looked at the photos. For sure that car has a lot more wood than a Model A does. It looks like a real challenge. But it’ll be worth a few pennies more than most Model A’s by the time it’s finished. I love it. Keep us posted.
I doesn’t mean to sounds ig’nant, but wot be “rocky mountain brakes?”