As visionary as Henry Ford was, we would still be driving Model T Fords if he had his way.  Perhaps, like Dr. Frankenstein’s realization that his creation was one he could no longer control, Ford comprehended that his Model T was changing the world in ways he couldn’t have imagined.  However, keeping progress held back by stubbornly clinging to his essentially obsolescent car was impossible.  The Model T itself was evolving in both technology and luxury, and late production Ts, like this 1926 Model T coupe for sale on eBay, began reflecting the changes the market demanded.  This barn find flivver, currently located in Farmington, Missouri, is reflective of the changes that set late Model Ts apart from earlier cars.  Did those changes make it a car that is still somewhat practical today?  Will it rise higher than the current bid of $3,850?

Production on the Model T began in October, 1908, and extended all the way to May of 1927.  Over sixteen million of the cars were sold to an emerging middle class that was hungry for reliable, affordable automobiles.  Changes over the years were basically improvements in materials or were to improve production efficiency.  When Ford’s Model T established its dominance over the dozens of other makers of the time, no other company could offer a vehicle with the combination of quality and economy that Ford could.  Times changed, and eventually General Motors began offering the Chevrolet at a price that was competitive with the Model T.  The difference was that the Chevrolet was a newer design that could be ordered with options that people wanted.

Ford did make a number of changes in 1926 in an attempt to regain market share.  Most notable was the more streamlined and integrated cowl and hood of the car.  This change made the car look more modern, and the design hinted at what was to come in the Model A.  By this time, an electric starter, roll up windows, a larger brake band, and a generous choice of exterior colors were made available to buyers.  The Model T pictured here also boasts a locking wheel of some sort.  This was likely an aftermarket piece, as the fat wooden rim, oversized spokes, and interesting iron ring don’t display any signs of Ford production.

In the ad, the seller tells us that this barn find Model T was purchased from the original family.  Judging from the condition of the car we see in the pictures, this must have been a completely weather tight barn.  The finish on the car and the condition of the upholstery are remarkable for a nearly 100 year old vehicle.  The interior is claimed to be all original, except for a vinyl seat cover.  We are also told that the window cranks are missing on the car.  It is interesting to note how in the days before air conditioning just how much air you could get into the driver’s compartment.  Could you imagine if they still sold cars with windshields that you could open to let in fresh air?

Under the hood we see the 20 horsepower engine that was largely unchanged from the first Model T to the last.  This engine was produced until 1941 as a replacement engine, and lived on in the Fordson tractor until 1964.  The design was an exercise in simplicity.  It doesn’t even have a water pump.  Ford took advantage of the natural movement of hot water called theromosiphoning.  The magneto ignition system also was simple in operation and allowed for an easy to install ignition system that withstood the rigors of early motoring.  In the picture we can also see that someone has installed what looks to be a toolbox.

As I mentioned in a previous story, my brother and I attended the Turkey Run hot rod show and swap meet at Daytona International Speedway in 2014.  We camped at a campground just outside of the speedway and were placed next to a few guys who had towed down a later Model T tudor.  They used the neat little car as their sole transportation for the duration of the event.  Their Model T fired up easily in the unseasonably cold weather that weekend, and it never missed a beat.  I was struck by how reliable the car was, and how it handled the task of running back and forth to the speedway effortlessly.  It would have been totally unsuitable for interstate travel, but it was in its element running around town.

I don’t know why I was so surprised.  Model Ts were cleverly designed and well built.  You could use one everyday as long as you stuck to secondary roads and were patient with its shortcomings in the modern world.  When you look at the hustle bustle world the Model T’s emergence started, maybe Henry was right to try to limit us.  We go too fast now to appreciate the drive.