Some project cars appear on our desks at Barn Finds with a backstory guaranteed to tug at our heartstrings. Such is the case with this 1924 Ford Model T Touring. The previous owner commenced his restoration in the 1980s, but it stalled in around 1985. It has been sitting for decades, but the gentleman recently passed away. The seller purchased it from his estate so that the family could afford the funeral costs, and because the Model T is not his cup of tea, he has decided to pass it to someone capable of doing it justice. It is an ideal candidate for a first-timer, so if you feel the desire to tackle a classic that became a global legend, you will find the Ford located in Greenwood, Arkansas, and listed for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. This gem could be yours by handing the seller $7,000.

Henry Ford was once famously quoted as saying that buyers could purchase his Model T in any color as long as it was black. There is a certain ring of truth to this claim because the company produced most Model Ts in that color. Other shades were available, but black offered some significant efficiencies during the build process that allowed Ford to undercut the opposition on the sales price. It seems that the previous owner was intent on refinishing his Model T in black, and the paint that it wears today still holds a respectable shine. However, there are some imperfections, so the buyer will probably opt for a cosmetic refresh. The panels are straight, and there is no evidence of any rust or other problems. The roof frame is present, although one bow is broken. Replacements are easy to find, so this shouldn’t prove a major obstacle for the buyer. The wooden spoked wheels look pretty good, although, like the rest of the exterior, they would benefit from some TLC. Overall, this looks like it could be a straightforward restoration that a novice could tackle in a home workshop.

Ford’s design philosophy readily embraced simplicity, and nowhere was this better demonstrated than in the Model T’s drivetrain configuration. Lifting back the hood exposed a 177ci flathead four-cylinder engine backed by a two-speed planetary transmission. Producing 20hp, this little four remained essentially unchanged during the entire production run of the Model T. One nod to comfort and convenience was Ford’s decision to introduce an optional electric starter in 1919. The robust nature of this design was best demonstrated by the fact that while “T” production ended in 1927, the company continued churning out these motors for various other applications until 1941. When the seller located this Model T, it had been sitting unused since 1985. He undertook a number of tasks to address such issues as stale fuel and coolant and has coaxed the car back to life. It runs and drives but will require basic maintenance to return to a roadworthy state. Once again, these are all things that the next owner could tackle in their home workshop.

While this old Ford’s interior is complete, it is another area that would benefit from restoration. If the buyer wanted to throw blankets over the seats and use the car as is, that shouldn’t prove a problem. However, should they wish to make the vehicle stand out from the crowd, seat upholstery kits are readily available. These include everything a buyer could need to return the seats to a factory-fresh state and generally sell for around $600. The remaining interior trim would be easy to replicate at home, making returning this car to its best an easy and affordable undertaking.

It can be easy to assign the tags “legend” or “icon” to a classic car. Some of these vehicles are more deserving of such a label than others, and Ford’s Model T is one of those cars. At the height of its power, nearly half of the cars plying the world’s roads was a Model T. By the time our feature car hit the streets, it faced stiff opposition from more modern offerings. However, the company’s decision to slash prices by nearly 30% meant that 1924 was the second most successful sales year. More than 1.9 million Model Ts rolled off the line, and this Touring is one of those cars. It is getting close to celebrating its 100th birthday, and I can think of no better way to mark that milestone than by returning it to its former glory. Are you up for the challenge?