Unfortunately we don’t know much about this 1926 Model T, other than the seller’s assertion that it’s never been titled. I guess that’s possible in some states from way back when, but I wonder how one would go about titling it now? Regardless, it’s said to be a true barn find and while rough, comes with extra wheels, axle housings, and some electrical parts. The ad says it’s all original except for the windshield and tires. The car is located in Houston, Texas and is up for auction here on eBay, where no reserve bidding is up to $1,500. I’m not sure I agree with the seller that the engine could be up and running in short order, but that’s probably more due to my lack of knowledge of cars of this era than anything else. This is one of the later Model T’s, so as far as refinements go (not very far) this could be one of the better ones, although personally I think the brass components on the early cars are what set them off visually. Do you think this one is worth resurrecting?
I’ve only seen one other car that was never registered. It was a barn find 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner Superbird 440-6 barrel 4 speed. 11th off the assembly line, first in blue. White vinyl bucket interior. Had 3,648 miles when parked in 1971. Still had everything original on it, down to the Plymouth decals on the side and window sticker.
I suppose if I was selling this car and didn’t have a title for it, I might be tempted to say it had never been titled. More believable if it were a 1909, the first year, rather than a 1926, the next to last year for Model T’s. If it really had never been titled how did it get so beat up and looking so used?
Check the engine number against the frame number for a match. If the engine were original the pad on the block where the number is stamped should have the original cast finish, not a machined look to it. A smooth machined surface suggests the number was changed by grinding the pad smooth and stamping a new number onto it.
As far as improvements there weren’t that many. Henry “improved” the T by finding ways to lower the price through production efficiency and simplification. The 26 and 27’s did have a wider brake drum in the transmission. Probably more for longer life than reduced stopping distance. Otherwise the 26 and 27 differed due to Henry finally relenting and allowing Edsel to add some style to the T. Ironically, when Henry allowed colors other than black, he eliminated black as a choice for those last two years of production.
I doubt you’ll find Ford ever matched engine and frame numbers, especially back then. Most Ford plants had their own serial numbering systems, which varied from engine block to transmission case to random places on the frame. The feds were after Henry for years to develop a unifying VIN system but he did it his way, govt. be damned. Starting with the 1955 model year, the feds mandated all motor vehicles be titled by body numbers rather than engine numbers – which remains to this day.
If it was truly never titled, it would be like new, save for patina. Titling is easy if you know what and where and how to go about it. I’ve been titling untitled cars for years and never had a problem.