Die-hard car enthusiasts occasionally travel back in time. This happened to me. I was minding my own business dinking around with ’60s and ’70s cars that I grew up with, when all of a sudden, I fell in love with a Model A. (Actually before that I had fallen in love with a 1935 MG PA but that’s another story.) In fact, a Model T briefly turned my head. Why! Why bother with a pre-war car when you could have better …. well, almost everything a car does, like brakes, handling, lighting, a radio, fewer leaks, synchro’s, speed? I don’t know why other car guys go back in time, but for me, it was the prospect of a unique challenge, tinged with adventure, and supported – in the case of the Fords – by a vast network of clubs and parts and help. Also, I felt like I could take an early Ford apart all by myself and rebuild it (haven’t but might); they’re simple. I opted for the later car, not the T, but here, not more than ten miles from where I write, is this 1926 Ford Model T, ready to go, advertised on craigslist. The asking price is $8200, and the car can be driven (!) home from S. Ridge Rd, Beavercreek, Oregon.
Counting the three Quadricycles that Henry Ford made as one model, the T was the tenth model that Ford produced. While its 177 cu. in. in-line four-cylinder only produced 20 hp and its top speed was barely 45 mph, this was an improvement over its immediate predecessor, the Model N at 15 hp and 40 mph. The Model T was the last car Henry built with a two-speed planetary gearbox; this car has a front-mounted Warford auxiliary transmission providing extra gear ratios. Because the Model T’s original braking system relied on a band contracting around a drum in the transmission (as well as a parking brake of limited use), if the Warford gets stuck between gears, your brakes won’t work. Fortunately, accessory rear wheel brakes are installed on this T – absolutely necessary with the Warford. If you want to go all out, buy a Wilwood disc brake conversion!
One attractive feature of this car is its gentle all-over patina. The interior matches the exterior which matches the engine bay. This upholstery should last another several years with no attention. The rear seats look great too, and the cloth top appears mostly intact with the same kind of softly aged quality as everything else. The split windshield disappeared when the Model A came along. The last Model Ts – from 1926 to 1927 – were designed with a “high hood” and a long firewall-to-windshield distance. In fact, sheet metal is not necessarily interchangeable from one year Model T to the next.
The articulating luggage rack is a nice touch. All in all, this Model T is a wonderful prospect. The price is reasonable if you’re tolerant of patina; if only the best will do, you’ll pay more than $10k, maybe much more. But my vote is for this honest waif of a car, from the earliest days of automotive history.
This one deserves to stay in survivor mode. What’s not to like?
My grandfather, born in 1897, once told me he remembered the first car that came to town. I was born in a car. I don’t remember ever asking him what kind or year but likely an early Ford. Miss you, Paw-Paw.
This would be cool to have as is. I remember my grandfather telling me he wasn’t fond of cranking these for if it backfired you could end up with a broken arm. He wasn’t a car guy and most old timers I have run into in my lifetime dumped these for the model A. It is really cool to think of how much changed in the almost hundred years since this unit rolled off Henry’s line and the amazing way it looks. This fella was a dinosaur tens years after it was built and it also survived not being melted down for the war effort, yup a true survivor that deserves to continue to putt through history with loving care.
Love the unmolested look and the wood spokes. Might modernize the brakes but leave it looking original. Dad told me some great stories about friends and family that drove Model Ts and As. Tough as nails, adaptable & practical on the farm. Also could get through the unpaved (and sometimes unpassable) country roads.
My Dad’s first car. He got his from a non paying customer on his paper route. My Grandad went over demanding payment. They settled on giving my Dad the ’26 T! He was 12, and the car had a cracked block. A neighbor helped weld it, and he got it running and sold it for a profit. This was during the depression, so any little bit helped. Sort of like what’s happening now.
My Father told me that when he was a teenager, the cost of riding on the step side outside the car on dirt roads was 5 cents.
In high school(’66) a friend had a T that was like this one. He couldn’t drive it unless there were 3 passengers. This was because the brakes were questionable at best. He could barely get the car to slow down with the brakes, but then we would all jump out and drag our feet to get it finally stop. Always an adventure!!
Its a little over 5 hours away and two mountain passes my adventure side says go get it and drive it home. I think it would be a fun car to play with.
The reality is, no one wants these anymore. They were slow, terrible to drive, even with rear brakes, they did not stop worth a damn and aside from a novelty today, lack any real enthusiasts. They have all died or are in rest homes. Like most cars of this period the folks that loved them are dying off. Sad, but true, like the pocket watch and the dial phone, just something to look at and admire, but keeping one in your garage is another story. I had a wonderful 26 Roadster Pick up with updated drivetrain and rear juice brakes, nice patina and would do 70mph all day long on the highway. Took a year to sell and price drop after price drop to do it. Some old fellow who should not be driving any longer was the next owner……good luck to the seller on this one!
hey there rick its glen the guy you traded rof your fiat
I, too, would prefer the “newer” conveniences of an A or B Model. BUT, if if weren’t a 6,100 mile round-trip from Orlando to Beavercreek and I had a “spare” $8,200 I didn’t know what to do with, I just might consider this old “T”, put a coat of black paint on it and do a Sunday drive around the neighborhood. Too dangerous these days to take a chance on any of the roads around Orlando or Orange County, Florida, lol….
Hey Jack, I’ll drive back with you and throw in for gas.
And I will throw in this offer: it’s located about 20 mins from my house, I will go look at it for you!
‘Preciate the offer Jim AND Michelle, but I figure it would take at least 10 days to drive back if that “T” model could even reach 40 mph as its top speed and that would have to be going downhill. I can feel those old wood wheels wobbling now, just like in one of those old Keystone Kops movies from the 30’s, bwaaaaa haaaaaa haaaaaa
Carry a good leather belt. Correct me if I am wrong but didn’t the front engine bearing get oil starved going up steep hills and wear out the front engine bearing. I recall ions ago when I was young and the old guy I would chat with told me all about the one he still had that he bought for 5 bucks in the 40s and told me he fixed his on a road trip by making a bearing from his belt. He also confirmed what my grandfather had told me about broken arms and backfires when hand cranking.
That’s no joke! Took a trip to FL back in the late ’10’s. You’ve gotta have a mixture of homicidal & suicidal tendencies to drive down there, especially on the Interstates! Definitely no place for an original Model T!
Try Atlanta these days. The closest thing to Enduro racing I have had in years since the track…lol
Rick in Oregon
While there is some truth to your comments there is a following for Model Ts and I believe more so for As.
There is someone for everything and for a near 100 year old car the price is not too far off the mark. I’ve seen these open touring cars for $4-5 K running, no less, but pretty rough // needy. If someone is serious they are worth a couple $2/3K more. This is a genuine antique and people in the hobby buy them. Whats more American than an old Ford?? They deserve a little respect.