Barn Stored Since ’40: 1923 Ford Model T
Henry Ford changed the world when he released his Model T. Up until that point, automobiles were a novelty enjoyed by the wealthy. The Model T’s low price tag put it within reach of the average man though and suddenly the automobile became an integral part of life. Everyone should experience one of these machines if for nothing more than their historical value. This particular T has been stored in a barn since 1940 and with the same family since new! Find it here on eBay where the seller is asking $5,500 or best offer.
Not only was the Model T more affordable, but it was also more reliable than most. Quality was high even though Ford was focused on mass production through the use of assembly lines. This was achieved by using simple designs and good materials. Power was provided by a water-cooled four-cylinder. Even with a splash oiling system and pump-less cooling, it’s not uncommon to see these cars running around today with their original engines – a testament to their durability.
It’s not the engine that will keep most Model Ts off the road though. It’s those pesky pedals! The Model T was built before we had a standardized system of how a vehicle should be operated. The brake pedal is on the right and there’s no gas pedal! If you haven’t had the opportunity to drive one of these check out the video below for a rundown on how to do it.
The wooden spokes and hand crank may date this car, but it’s amazing to think about how modern this car actually was when it was released in 1908. Sure, it won’t go very fast and the gravity feed fuel system may cut out going up a hill, but this is the machine that made today’s Corollas possible. It opened the road to the middle class and our world would be completely different today if Henery Ford hadn’t dreamed big. Hopefully, this particular T goes to a good home because it looks very original and well worth preserving.
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Comments
These were called “doctors coupe”, I believe. Back then, a doctor was the only one that could afford one, it was still very much horse and buggy. Model T’s were just finding their way into farms and businesses, and it wasn’t until the Model A, that regular folks began to drive. Again, like the other Model T, interest is fading, people just can’t drive them, even I would have a hard time and not so much the throttle, don’t forget to retard the spark advance,( that alone would stump most today) or a trip to the ER will be in your future.
Form and function married together. Simplicity.
Drove one once when I was a lad. It was a blast. Not practical for the sixties, but it was a great back road Sunday driver. Wish I had bought one then, they were pretty cheap, no one wanted one. Who knew? I respect this more then a hemicuda, just because of the age. BTW, anyone watch the video? It rocks. Such a nice car, and set at Greenfield Village at the Ford Museum. That place is worth a trip to Dearborn guys, do it before you die.
Somebody will buy this, and turn it into a ratrod. The owners should keep it, they’ve owned it this long. How many vehicles from the ’20’s are still with the original family?
The owners have sold it, this is a flipper selling it.
Didn’t tweety bird’s owner drive one of these?
Yep, and this model car showed up in “Cars” as one of the residents of Radiator Springs.
For his recent birthday, a friend’s wife arranged for him to drive a Model T. He said he caught on fairly quickly, and was surprised to have been allowed to take it for a few miles around town, and to have gotten it up to about 30 mph. He said he had a blast.
A gentleman Mom and I rented our store
from had a ’21 or ’22 Model T coupe in
the storage area behind our gift shop as
late as 2014. It was complete except for
the hood assembly and wouldn’t have taken much effort to get it running. He
allowed us to use part of the storage area to store our extra inventory and gave me full access to the car whenever
I wanted. While Mom and our friend Carol ran the shop, I’d go back to the
storage room and just marvel at how well
the car was preserved. I’d go ahead and
carefully open the passenger’s side door,
slide across the seat, and just imagine
what it must’ve been like to drive such a
car back in the day. You can’t believe just
how many times I was tempted to tinker
with it and get it running again for him.
Turns out, it was his wife’s first car and it
was the first car that she had ever driven.
And as much as I asked them, they wouldn’t sell it to me. Bill said that they
we’re going to keep the car to pass on to
their grandkids. One thing I noticed about the car was the way the doors opened towards the rear of the car and
not towards the front of it. You opened
the doors by twisting a ring shaped handle at the leading edge of the door and pushing backwards. Judging by the
fancy window pulls, the car was a DeLuxe
model and was made with better material than a standard model. We closed the shop due to Mom’s health in
2015 and I’ve wondered if the car is still
there. At any rate, it was an honor and a
privilege to be the caretaker of this fine,
well preserved automobile.
Without a title & it’s condition, you’d be better off just buying a restored one. On Hemmings, there’s a really nice 25 Coupe for 16K & a nice 26 Coupe for 12K.
There are few things more frustrating than a Model T (with no electric start) that wont start. Most women simply wouldn’t drive one for fear of being unable to restart it once at their destination. Also “reliable” back when these were made, and reliable today are two completely different things. A Model T would be a very unreliable car by todays standards, but that is why they continue to survive. People just park them and they sit until someone else decides to take on the project. I’ve had multiple T’s and they are fun for a while, much less so since texting appeared and speeds increrased.
I certainly hope that vehicles today are more reliable, than back then. It’s almost 100years later.
The Doctor’s Coupe is my favorite T. If I had more time I’d buy this in a heartbeat.
Dad’s second car (first was an Essex) was a Model T with “center door” which I believe means it was a sedan with front and rear seat. I came across the receipt for his purchase of it in 1934…..$17.00. He didn’t speak much about the car’s reliability and not long after that began his love affair with early V8 Fords and his first wife who was the daughter of the local Ford dealer. I believe he drove a new Ford every other year from 1935 to 1967…
A friend of mine bought one of these when he was 16, back in 1952. He is the third owner and the car is in beautiful condition. Last spring I was visiting and he took me for a ride and offered to let me drive it. Since it has been his baby for 67 years, I decided to just sit back and enjoy the ride. Someday I hope to have one of my own and get my friend to give me lessons on how to maintain it as he has his.
I have 2 Model T Fords .A 23&27, I love them both , and drive them whenever I can.