UPDATE 04/06/2023: It is said that he who hesitates is lost, but there are times when that isn’t true. Such is the case with this 1926 Ford Model T Touring. We saw this classic around three months ago, with the seller setting their price at $8,750. It appears they didn’t find any takers because it is listed here on Craigslist at $7,000. If you missed out the first time, this could be your chance to right that wrong. The details remain the same, making this a prime candidate for a first-time restoration.
01/16/2023: We always appreciate input from our Barn Finds readers, regardless of whether it is in the form of article comments, feedback, or the referral of cars to feature on our site. Therefore, I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this 1926 Ford Model T Touring. It is a solid and complete vehicle that would represent a satisfying restoration project. The Model T is listed here on Craigslist in Willow Park, Texas.
Ford built the Model T in a bewildering array of body combinations, demonstrating the basic platform’s versatility. The popular choice for a buyer with a family was the Touring because it could comfortably seat six. Of course, safety was a lesser concern in those days, so squeezing in a few extras was not uncommon! This 1928 Touring is a genuine barn find begging for restoration. Whether it spent its life in Texas is unclear, but the lack of rust makes that possible. The frame and body are rock-solid, and dings or dents are relatively minor. I believe the new owner could address these without resorting to steel replacement, which is always desirable for an enthusiast working to a budget. Once the preparation is complete, the Model T would look wonderful once returned to its original color combination of Royal Maroon with Double Deep Black fenders. The lights and glass might be okay below the dust layer, and the wire wheels appear restorable.
Although he wasn’t strong academically, Henry Ford could rightly be considered a genius. He could look at a problem, break it down, and develop an elegantly simple solution. A perfect example of this skill is the story of the Model T’s magneto. Edward “Spider” Huff was Henry’s right-hand man during the car’s development, and he designed and built the prototype magneto. It worked as intended, but there were problems with devising insulation to ensure reliability. After pondering the situation, Ford arrived at the workshop one day with some old maple syrup boiling kettles. He and Charles Sorenson converted them into a pressure vessel, adding a couple of prototype magnetos and varnish. They cooked them for a while before baking them in an oven. The result was a hardened varnish that had penetrated every nook and cranny, worked effectively, and was not prone to failure. Henry brought that thinking to other aspects of the Model T. Its power came from a 177ci flathead four producing 20hp. The power was fed to the road via a two-speed planetary transmission which Ford favored due to its reliability. It was flat-out hitting 40mph, but when the next most affordable alternative had four legs, and most roads were little more than goat tracks, who wanted to go any faster? This Touring is mechanically complete, and the engine turns. The seller hasn’t coaxed it to life, leaving the buyer to inspect everything before making their attempt.
The Model T’s interior is much like the rest of the vehicle; It is complete but needs love. The upholstered surfaces are tired but remain serviceable if the buyer wishes to pursue preservation. Throwing blankets over the seats would make a difference, but if the new owner decides to perform a total restoration, everything required to return the interior to a pristine state is available.
Henry Ford hit upon a magic formula with the Model T. Although the company’s competitors released more modern models toward’s the end of the T’s production life, sales remained in seven-figure territory. The robust nature of Ford’s engineering meant that the Model T could withstand the abuse that others couldn’t. This is one reason why so many continue chugging along our roads nearly a century after the last car rolled off the production line. This one looks like a promising project, and it will be fascinating to know if any of our readers decide to pursue it further. If you do, I’d like to wish you good luck.
I’m confused. Why the big push to make a parts car out of a complete, undamaged car? Lots of places in this country will give you titles with the available paperwork.
Have to agree, just get a vin plate assignment. Not like the serial number is really important on something that old, not like it’s stolen is it? Remember getting my 1940 Ford pickup inspection for an Ohio title after I left the service in ND. They had no idea where the bin was, neither did I. Wire brush and some research ( pre Google) and I found it on a fram rail
The vin number!!!
You had it right the first time. “VIN number” is redundant.
I am thinking Hellcat Motor, now talk about a sleeper…lol
How is this a parts car? It’s in way better shape than that.
I really miss my tub. If this was closer I’d seriously consider buying it because they make really fun hotrods. I drove a 27 as my high school car.
It’s being sold as a parts car because the seller doesn’t want to be bothered. I sure it can be titled unless it’s on some list of stolen cars.
Reminds me of a junkyard I used to go to that had a sign “all parts guaranteed broken. Should you find that a part is unbroken return it and we will break at no charge to you”
Talk about service and standing behind what you sell!
Really, this would be a great start and for a vintage race car in organizations that allow newly built race cars as long as they start out with an original car and period parts. Sell off all the stuff you don’t need and it’s like a free car.
Or buy it as an off road ranch car. Model Ts were designed for off road use after all.
The guy selling this car must’ve lost
his mind! She’s way too good for that! If you can’t find the NOS parts to
make ‘er a 100-point show car, then
either make what you need or use good quality repro parts to get “er back in the road where she belongs.
Paint the body a dark blue or green
to go with the black fenders, add a
cream or tan folding top, paint those
wire spoke rims to match the top, and
you’ll have yourself one sharp looking
car. I’d take it even further by adding
a set of factory repro bumpers to
protect that gennie Henry steel. The
guy selling this car is obviously a
Melanial who has no sense of appreciation for history or just doesn’t
wanna get his hands dirty. That’s the
trouble with kids today, they don’t
wanna do any manual labor.
I would hope that millennials can spell better than you! I’m an old guy that has restored many many cars. I recently finished a 67 Porsche 912. After working in and owning body shops for 50 years I know what is involved, hundreds of hours labor and loads of cash. Beautiful Model Ts can be found well under $20K, decent drivers under $10K (look online). That’s because though they look cool the are an impractical P.O.S to drive.
In Connecticut , it can be registered as is, no titles needed 20 years or older.
Ditto Wisconsin
Clarkes statement “the car will never see the road again” is pure ignorance Every state in the nation has a method to get a title.
Lets see is that number twenty on this site another old car that people find its not worth restoring.
I have a 1954 Montgomery ward utility trailer in my back yard it spent 30+ years in my in-laws woods I took the information down to my local at the time license office and they were able to get me clear title for it, now I live in a state where a 4×6 trailer doesn’t need a title or license but I still keep the old Washington title, considering selling it but it has more Sentimental value than actual value I’m guessing
Not a “Parts Car.” I did a painting for a guy, in Ohio, so that he could see what his 1927 Ford Model T, touring car would look like finished. That car was a mess, but had no rust through. The only thing that was missing were the from bumper, like this one and the head lights. He sent me several photos, when it was finished. It was perfect, except the paint was better than the original factory paint.
If the engine turns, then I’ll lay money down that I can have it running in an afternoon. Also, title’s are easy to get here in Michigan, not a deterrent.
Would there be a possibility of donating this Model T to a local museum farm located on Long Island? The first car that the folks who originally farmed the land had a Model T touring as their first car. As a donation to a not-for-profit organization you would be able to deduct the donation as a tax write-off.
Why would anyone would restore a common Model T, or even an A? The cars are not rare, they are “cute” but don’t appeal to younger enthusiasts, perform relatively poorly, and are not appreciating in value. If you must have one, save your money and buy one already done. Guaranteed it will cost you less than a full restoration.
A friend offers this service. If you are buying a questionable car, he will bring a bottle of scotch over, sit down, and discuss the car with you. He guarantees that he can talk you out of the deal.
You just don’t ‘get it’, and I just don’t think it’s possible to make you understand.
Frank,
I own a 28 Model A Tudor and you speak the absolute truth !!! I spent 3X the money to restore mine compared to one full completed would have cost.
Model A’s and T’s are appearing more and more on the market for sale. The elder owners are dying off and the families are not interested in taking on the tradition of their grandfathers.
Even if all you can get is a bonded title, might as well do it. You’re sure to find an knowledgeable DMV clerk eventually. (took me two years)
Danny, I do much the same thing you
do making portraits of old cars only
with markers and colored pencils as
my eye condition keeps me from using the paints and brushes that you
use. And yet I can get almost the same results you do, it just takes me
longer. BTW, did the man who owned
the car you mentioned keep it? I’ve
been thinking of opening my shop
again so I’d love to find out how to
advertise my work here. Maybe Jeff,
Jamie, or Scotty could point me in the
right direction. Even now, I have a ’26
Model T roadster pickup on my work
table. I’m almost halfway done with
it and should be finished with it by the
weekend. I’d like to see some of your
work sometime.
Kenneth, thank you for the post—you can reach out to Josh or Jesse at mail@barnfinds.com about the advertising! Good luck with the shop!
Kenneth, Most of my paintings are of vintage race cars. They are in Guasch and water color. Give me a call or Email me. dj.autoart@Gmail.com, (951)313-6115 We can talk, as kindred spirits.
Seems like we went through almost every comment word for word last time this car was posted all the way down to Frank saying you can buy one cheaper than building this one. IMO this looks like you can clean this one up, put in a new floor. A little coaxing of the motor and pretty much drive it away. I know not quite that simple but I’ll bet it wouldn’t take much
Clean it up some, it will make a nice parade car!!
Agreed that restoration is not a money-making endeavor, unless it is as a prop on a reality TV show. But it’s a hobby and hobbies generally aren’t for profit, rather you’re preserving history.
I went through the title process in Texas for a 1922 Chevrolet. We had to haul the car down to the office, and they used the engine number as a basis for the title. One bonded title later…no issues.
If I had some acreage I’d clean her up and fix it up for safe driving and use it like a golf cart on my estate and enjoy it for all it’s history and originality.Neat car.Not a parts car.
I’m guessing the article got rewritten because I don’t see any mention of parting it. It’s definitely not a parts car. I don’t t even know if you need to restore it. Clean it up nice and get it running and drive it as is. All these guys talking about they love ‘patina’ when they’re actually talking about rust. This is what patina looks like. It’s super tempting to me but Texas is too far away.
The steering, suspension, brakes and wheels would need rebuilding plus new wiring, tires etc. if you do all that you might have an $8K car, but I doubt it, just because it will manually turn over does not mean it’s not rusty inside, especially the cylinder walls, pistons and rings.
I have bought the 1926 Model T Ford Touring car mentioned above. I spent three days knocking off/out the mud dobber’s nest and washing off the dirt and dust. The next day I spent draining the fluids, dropping the oil pan, cleaning out the gunk (found one small piece of babbit), filling the differential, greasing and etc. The next day we calibrated the coils, cleaned the carb, added oil in the cylinders and cleaned the plugs. Bought a new battery, and replaced the ignition switch turned the key and started the engine, Runs good. I still need to pull the wheels, repack the bearings, make a few adjustments and I will be driving the car in the next Founder Day Parade in Piedmont, Oklahoma. Thank you, Henry