We have all seen pictures of enormous private collections of collectible vehicles jammed into huge warehouses.  While most of us weren’t born with that kind of wealth and our plans of winning the lottery two weeks in a row have not yet come to fruition, market conditions are now allowing the average guy or gal to think about amassing a modest collection of automobiles.  While some budding collectors like to specialize in a single make or model, others are more interested in a well-rounded collection of historical vehicles.  What would be a better addition to your collection than this 1927 Ford Model T touring for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Ringgold, Georgia?  This complete example of the famous Model T’s last year of production is in fair shape and the engine will turn over.  The best part about this deal is the price.  The seller is looking for a paltry $3,950, and this milestone car has been sitting at that price for a few months.  Would you like an example of the most influential automobile in American history at a possibly very right price?

If there were a Mount Rushmore of influential vehicles, the Model T would be in the George Washington position.  Over fifteen million Model Ts were made in a production run stretching from 1908 through 1927.  When that production started, automobiles were the play toy of the rich and the horse was still the primary means of transportation for individuals.  Through the proper application of mass production, price reduction, and simplification, the last Model T saw a different world altogether when it left the factory in 1928.  America was now firmly perched atop four wheels and would never be a primarily agricultural society again.  We were on the road to being a modern nation thanks to the Model T.

What finally ended production was better competition offering an updated approach to the automobile that Henry Ford thought was unnecessary.  Its successor, the Model A, would be much more familiar in layout and features to Americans today.  The Model T was, however, perfect for the period it held dominion over.  Its simple yet robust construction enabled it to deal with the primitive roads of the time and the tall skinny wheels and tires were well suited to slog through the roughest terrain like a billy goat.   The car’s 45 MPH top speed was also more than sufficient when you combine the dismal road conditions of the time with the car’s rudimentary braking.  Another important feature was the two-speed planetary drive transmission that allowed first-time drivers to master the task with proper coaching.

While Model As have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, Model T prices are slowly falling for many reasons.  Primary among them is the car’s relative incompatibility with modern traffic and people’s lack of familiarity with the car’s planetary transmission.  Yet, a well-prepared Model T is perfectly capable of navigating the average neighborhood with ease and a startling amount of reliability.  The joys of owning one are many.  They are simple to work on, parts are plentiful, there is a vast network of club support, and driving one is the best way to understand what it was like for Americans back in a time of momentous change.

So, almost 100 years after it emerged from one of Ford’s many factories, this Model T finds itself looking for a new home.  The seller tells us that they think the car is “pretty complete.”  We are also told that the motor spins free, it has been stored inside for decades, and the keys are sitting in the ignition switch.  The car does not currently run but, shy of any catastrophic internal engine damage, this one should not be too hard to return to the road.

The $3,950 price is likely negotiable given the car’s long run on Facebook Marketplace.  Even at that price, it would be a very interesting project and likely very fun to drive.  Do you think you might have a place in your collection for this bargain milestone touring car?  Please share your thoughts in the comments.