Barn finds don’t get much more authentic than this! Listed here on eBay out of western Colorado, this 1927 Ford Model T Roadster Pickup is an all-original survivor that has been stored indoors since the 1960s. The seller states the truck remains in remarkably good condition for its age, with a clean Florida title and an asking format set as a no-reserve auction. For early Ford enthusiasts, finding a T in this shape that hasn’t been hot-rodded, modified, or overly restored is getting harder by the day.
The body appears solid and straight, with the seller calling it “very good condition.” While the black paint has aged along with the truck, it still carries the honest patina of nearly a century of existence. The wood in the bed is described as being in very good shape, and even the wooden wheel spokes reportedly look solid. The tires will need replacing before any real road use, but for a vehicle that has been parked for over 60 years, this is impressive.
The interior is largely untouched, with the original seat in need of recovering. The seller notes the top appears to have been redone at some point in the past, and it looks serviceable from what can be seen. Original license plates are included with the truck, which adds to its period charm. While not currently running, the engine does turn over, suggesting that it might not take much to get this T roadworthy again—at least for short drives and local shows.
Stored away for decades, this Model T has the kind of preserved originality that collectors value. Many Ts have been restored multiple times or heavily modified, making unmolested survivors like this especially appealing to purists. It’s easy to imagine this truck as-is, cleaned up, and enjoyed as a true piece of rolling history rather than a concours-perfect restoration.
Model Ts are simple to work on, and parts availability remains surprisingly good for such an old vehicle. With its original components intact, a careful mechanical sorting could have this Ford back on the road, ready to charm crowds with its authenticity. At no reserve, someone could score a wonderful project without breaking the bank.
It sure would be a great project,,,for 1987. 0 bids is the harsh reality here. I’m telling ya’, these projects are dinosaurs, and nobody is stepping up to the plate. A real shame, such a plausible project falling on deaf ears. Turn the page,,I guess.
No youngsters are stepping up to the plate as we oldsters are checking out……
Starting at $6000 I’m not surprised there’s no bids. Might as well start at 0 with a reserve of 6K.
What a solid old Model T. I went to a local car show last year and a gentleman had a T that he drove there. Truth be told I had more interest in him, his car, how he restored it and how he gets by driving it on local roads. It was no show winner, but clean and ran well. If you’re in an area that you can putter around some local roads its a nice option. Great find here Elizabeth, and I enjoyed your write up too, thank you.
What make is that red beauty off of starboard?
I have to agree with Howard here. If you look at Model T’s on Ebay they are priced all offer the place, in many different shades of conditions. And they all have 0 bids.
The world has changed and the context that made owning and driving a Model T “fun” has changed. I’ve owned several and there is no such thing as a driver quality car, they all will need work, that was their nature. They are easy to work on, but that is not the point. Who has the time? Parts are not too bad, but LABOR is modern day $100.00 an hour. You will work on them virtually every time you want to drive it.
The same labor will get you a much more practical tri-five or 60’s muscle.
This Model T is neat and all that, but it is looking for a shrinking home base. It should start a bid at $900.00. You might find two guys who want it, but you won’t see anywhere near the asking bid. Sitting is not a Model T’s friend.
Rare clean unmolested fine! Leave it that way!
Seems worthwhile and relatively easy to make roadworthy. Austin is a tiny orchard community near Hotchkiss, Colorado, not far from Grand Junction. Lots of interesting old cars tucked away in that area.
There’s a guy in Delta, Co. called Orvals and they have a slew of older cars, more than I could count.
I thought ’27s came with wire wheels? Too far away and my feet are too big for that three pedal system or I’d be interested.
Wire wheels were an option.
They did come with wire wheels. 1925/26 were last option years.
I’m curious about the car behind and to the left myself. I know that body style died out pretty much after WWI. What was that body style called? IIRC the Ts topped out at about 45 mph. They are probably the most historically important car ever made in the US. I had to move one around in a shop about 50 years ago and you can pick up on the 3 pedal tranny and hand throttle easily enough at least for my purpose. However you can’t drive it in an urban/suburban setting without being a danger to yourself and others. So much for cruise nights and cars and coffee. 15 million were made so they are somewhat a dime a dozen but unless you are a real model T buff or a collector that wants to add one to their collection interest is waning.
People who want antique cars tend to be empty nesters with the wherewithall to buy what caught their eye as kids. Cars stopped being exciting with the Malaise/Bumper car era and I don’t think it ever really recovered. It should be interesting to see what happens to the hobby in the coming decades.
I bought a restored roadster a few years back at auction. Too slow and weird to drive for me, but I have collected 15 bodies that I hope to hotrod at least a couple in retirement if I live longer than my Father did.
Can anybody identify what appear to be coil “booster” springs on the front – or are they something else?
Nicely written Elizabeth – minor suggestion, can you try to include asking prices in your write-ups?
After market springs.
Since I am basically a presurviveist That would be a great truck to have. Get it running, give it a good bath, and wipe down with Linseed oil to preserve the patina.. Luckily I live in a very rural where I could drive it the 15 miles into town to shows and cruise ins.. Too bad I am 2000 miles from it!!
I get what you are saying. I am also very rural and 30 years ago I restored and drove several of them. It was a good experience. But then driver habits changed. Perhaps it was texting… Being rural there are a lot of pickups. But trucks became bigger and everyone became impatient. A lifted Dodge or Ford, with open exhaust and blowing coal as they floor it past you will ruin your day. This would happen multiple times on a normal drive. My wife no longer enjoyed the outings and that was the end of my Model T days.
Sad to say, but the market for such vehicles is shrinking rapidly. I’m sure it’ll find a new home, but I’m afraid it’ll be for sale for quite some time.
This is just a fantasy. I have been using my 66 F-100 mostly this year to haul wood “rounds” from fallen trees at home and church property. I have made so many trips to a friend’s house that the truck almost knows the way like a horse. My fantasy is driving this Model T roadster pickup, loaded with wood, across the 12 lanes of Roosevelt Boulevard (US rt 1) here in NE Philadelphia. It might know the way?