Antique Survivor: 1924 Model T
The Model T is an extremely important car in the world of automotive history. First introduced in 1908, production really took off when Henry Ford implemented the first moving assembly line in 1913, bringing production time from 12 hours down to 93 minutes. Between 1908 and 1927, over 15,000,000 Model Ts were produced in a variety of configurations. This example has a 1915 body on a 1924 chassis, and is up for sale here on eBay in Goldsboro, North Carolina. The current bid is $1,825.
One of the things that kept so many Model Ts on the road over the last century was their simplicity – roads weren’t great back in the early 1900s, and people who lived in rural areas didn’t generally have a mechanic to take it to when they popped a tire or had other issues. They had to fix things themselves, and there weren’t many things on a Model T that couldn’t be tackled by the average person. However, simple doesn’t always mean easy to use! You’ll notice the hand crank for the starter, and the variety of pedals (Model Ts had throttle on the steering wheel, and from left to right the pedals were clutch, reverse, and brake). Most of us would not be able to just hop in and go for a drive without some trial and error.
There’s not much to this car. A drivetrain, wheels and seats is pretty much what is present. The floor, fenders, and running boards are all missing. But you can see some new wiring where the seller added lighting, and it also looks like there may be a few newer parts in the front suspension area. Surprisingly, the seats look to be in decent shape with only minor rips around the edge, although that could be as simple as a seam coming apart. The wood and metal that are still present appear to have only minimal pitting and corrosion, and I couldn’t spot any serious rust issues.
We aren’t told anything about the engine other than that it runs well and drives, but it most likely is the 177 cubic inline 4, which produced 20 horsepower and had a top speed of 45 miles per hour. The planetary transmission was billed as a 3-speed, but since one speed was reverse it was really a 2-speed.
This would probably be a fun little car to keep as-is and drive around your property or neighborhood. If it were yours, would you enjoy it in it’s current state, or restore it?
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now19 hours$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now20 hours$4,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now21 hours$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now2 days$11,000
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now4 days$750
Comments
I’d put car tyres on it rather than the bike ones on the fronts…
man this looks like lots of fun for little money..like a go cart on steroids..nice
simplicity then add lightness.
This car is in the style of early hot rods/race cars. If you want to know more look on amazon for the book “Model T in speed and sport” Harry Pulfer, my Grandfather, was the major contributor on this book.
You might also like to see them racing currently in the pig and ford race
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q51uEsq4hhY
Wife said bed would carry all the groceries but was afraid purse would fall through the “floor”. Drove a couple of these and I can see why the Model A was so popular. Could be fun after adding a couple of body pieces.
Where are the cup holders?
Not worth much. As a marriage of assorted parts it’s never going to be worth much, but it could be a fun, inexpensive project.
Assembling an incomplete pile of loosely associated parts does not make a “Survivor”.
Fun, inexpensive, smile-getter whether in a parade of just at the mall. Leave as is so folks can see the pedals.
You could probably buy a real Model T somewhere instead of this Frankenstein. But the price is right. 🙄
Just add floor boards and gasoline. Leave the rest alone and have fun.