Although I don’t tend to make bold or rash statements, I am willing to say there will never be another car that will have the impact of the Ford Model T. At the height of its production, more than 50% of the vehicles on our roads were these classics. That percentage is not confined to North America but is a global figure. It meant that on your daily commute in almost any country you could name, more than half the vehicles you saw was a Model T. Our feature car rolled off the line in 1924, spending years in the care of its previous owner. They parked it in 1985, and it remained untouched until the seller recently purchased it from his estate to help the family cover funeral costs. They revived this Old Ford, ready for it to go to a new home and return to its rightful place on our roads. It is listed here on Cars.com in Greenwood, Arizona. You could take home this cute and cuddly classic by handing the seller $6,500. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this fantastic find.
By any rational measure, Henry Ford should never have become one of the most significant manufacturers in automotive history. His ability to engineer and produce cars was unquestionable, but his general lack of interest in actually selling his product and maintaining records to ensure his venture turned a profit was severely lacking. It is an often overlooked fact that by the 1930s, his office housed a safe containing several million dollars in cash. He had no idea of the exact figure and would move money in and out of the safe as he bought and sold assets and personal items. Had it not been for the sheer determination of people like James Couzens, who oversaw shipping and accounting, the Ford Motor Company would have collapsed before our feature car rolled off the line. Although the opposition was producing more modern and user-friendly vehicles by 1924, an incredible 1.9 million buyers handed over their cash for a Model T because they perceived it as bulletproof and excellent value. The previous owner purchased this classic many years ago, performing a restoration before placing it in storage. It hadn’t turned a wheel until the seller recently revived it. They found the car presents well for its age, although the photos reveal peeling paint in spots and some broken timbers. However, the vehicle remains presentable if the new owner wishes to cultivate the “survivor” look. The seller doesn’t mention the presence of rust, with the only faults noted being one broken roof bow and the lack of a rear floor. Otherwise, it seems it would take little to achieve a driver-quality presentation.
Henry Ford hit upon the winning mechanical configuration for the Model T in 1908, with the first car appearing the following year. He resisted many significant changes during its production life, with an electric starter (a luxury he felt was unnecessary) one of the few upgrades before production ended in 1927. Its engine bay housed a 177ci flathead four-cylinder engine which sent its 20hp to the rear wheels via a two-speed planetary transmission. While a top speed of 42mph may seem unremarkable today, it represented living motoring life on the edge in an era when many roads were little more than glorified goat tracks. The seller indicates they revived this Ford by flushing the fuel system, replacing the wiring, and patching the inner tubes in the tires. That last measure should be considered temporary because the rotted nature of the tubes and tires means that replacement is essential for the car to return to a roadworthy state. They also note a small oil and coolant leak requiring investigation. With those items addressed and a thorough inspection, this classic should be ready for the road after nearly four decades of hibernation.
The interior shots of this Ford are limited, but the seller indicates it requires new seat upholstery. I also noted some faults on other upholstered surfaces requiring attention. Kits containing everything to return the interior to its factory appearance retail for around $800, and with the installation process being straightforward, it is a task the new owner could tackle with a sense of satisfaction. The wheel may require restoration, but this is pretty easy. With the minor exterior paint flaws and interior shortcomings, the buyer may consider repeating the restoration process. If the new owner seeks a hands-on experience, this old Ford could be the ideal candidate.
By the time the last Model T spluttered off the production line in 1927, more than fifteen million were plying the world’s roads. While many consider the 1950s and 1960s as the boom period in world motoring production, it took until 1972 for the Volkswagen Beetle to creep beyond that figure. In 1914, it was estimated that 90% of the cars on North American roads was a “Flivver.” Considering the rise of the machine, it is incredible to think that nearly a century after production ended, the Model T remains the eighth-highest-selling vehicle in automotive history. Such is their robust nature that many remain in active service. Returning this car to that state should not prove challenging, and doing so would be a great way to occupy the cold winter months. The asking price makes it an affordable project, making me believe it will find a new home pretty quickly. Could that home be yours?
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