Is there ever really a wrong time for a right idea? With even marginal collector cars selling for prices double or more what they were not that long ago, how about if that right idea costs a mere $6995, will get you around town successfully, and will attract a lot of attention while doing so? That’s what you might see when looking at the 1926 Ford Model T Roadster Coupe selling here on craigslist. Numskal brought us this tip on a car in beautiful San Luis Obispo, CA.
If you fly in, could you drive it home? Perhaps, if you stick to the side roads and took a few weeks, for those of you coming from “back East,” as the Californians say. The car is labelled “mechanically reliable,” and it is said to have had good maintenance history performed by the seller’s grandfather through his own auto service shop. It has been stored in its present condition for about twenty years. What happened from about 1950-2000 is not specified, but this car has been driven, with the 11,000 showing on the odo really indicating 111,000, according to the ad.
What might your learning curve be with a car of this age? To allow a lot of time for braking, and not to expect lightning-McQueen acceleration. But if these Ts were slower than cars of today, and not so maneuverable because of the thin tire contact patch and upright stance, they could do something your modern collectible can’t, which is navigate rut-filled farmer’s fields in an era before most roads were paved. Check your favorite video drop site to see what I mean. You’ll be amazed at what these cars can do.
The fun quotient jumps up a step with the presence of a rumble seat, so you can perch your grandkids (yes, there are safety concerns which edge into the modern mind at that statement) there on the way to ice cream. Just don’t take the turns too sharply, grandpa, unless you’ve home-engineered a way to secure them up there. But more likely, you’re going to putt-putt your way down your residential street at 15 mph, turn onto the boulevard, accelerate up to 22, and find that Dairy Queen after a mile of suburban cruising, all while thinking how little this car can hurt you at this price. Has it had paint? It appears to have, but that just gives it a bit of a Gatsby-esque panache, as do those wire wheels. Should you get it inspected? Maybe, but if it’s been on the West Coast since new, it probably needs just some cleaning up. Don’t spend more money on it, just enjoy it.
I had the pleasure of meeting John Butte, owner of the “Silver Streak,” a 1926 Model T Touring Car in which his Aunt and Mother traveled on annual trips from Bradford, IL as far as California and New York with owner Darlene Dorgan. John took me for a ride in the Streak, which was really memorable. You can read about the car and the trips Darlene and her friends made here: https://gypsycoeds.com . He also published an excellent-quality book about the ‘Gypsy Coeds.’
The subject car is “oh, so tempting,” with a decent price. It’s too far away from my wallet, however. Hope it does go to a good home.
Great comment. Great perspective. Thank you!!
That was a really great article. What a story. And its still in one piece running. Remarkable. Thank you for sharing that. Times have changed, Imagine touring the country today at 30 to 35 MPH. ( probably not a great idea).
That’s what I was thinking too, it must have been wonderful for the girls to be able to drive around the country at a speed where you could actually see the landscape and smell the flowers and it wasn’t just a rapidly passing blur, but those days have surely gone by save for the roads that are more remote.
Oh, how I would have loved to have done that – would do it now if it was possible. Thank you!
Read the Silver streak story. Great tale. These girls or real gypsies.
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to buy an actual barnfind 1920 Model T runabout, which had a wood aftermarket pickup bed fitted. The car was offered to me by the widow of an auto mechanic/car collector friend of mine, who died an untimely death at 57 from cancer.
The car was amazing and completely original. I had the room in the compound, and she said I could have it for $1000. But what could I do with it after I got it running? So, I started doing some research, and even signed on to the Model T website, which seemed to be full of jerks. I learned that the car was probably worth around 5K, and what kind of jackass was I to buy the car for only $1000 from my friend’s widow.
Of course, I told her that the car was worth 5K, and I couldn’t really drive it if I could get it running/driving, because it wasn’t suited for any kind of modern city driving. So, I found a nice guy on the Model T site who was close by, and he bought the car for 5K. Out of the blue she sent me an unsolicited $500 finder’s fee for helping to broker the sale.
Chump change for a dream opportunity if one ever thought about owning a T. Leave it as is and savor the century-old automotive experience. Have it shipped to your door and still be in for under $10K. Wow.
Nice Flivver! Lots of fun!
Nice Flivver! Lots of fun!