One of the greatest attractions of the “Tin Lizzy” is that it evolved slowly during its 19-year production run. That means that many parts are not just suitable to swap from one year to the next, but from one decade to the next. This 1917 Model T is a perfect example of this philosophy because some of its body parts appear to be from an earlier model. It has been parked since 1965, but it is a complete project car that is structurally sound. Adding to its attraction is that a significant collection of parts will be included in the sale. Located in Reno, Nevada, you will find the little Ford listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set the auction to open at $3,200, but there have been no bids. However, 94 people are watching the listing. Before finding its way to Nevada, the Model T spent decades stored in a California barn as a restoration project that stalled before it could start. That helps to explain how it has accumulated little more than a heavy coating of surface corrosion during its life. For all of his faults and foibles, Henry knew how to build a car. Just take a look at the current crop of offerings that we see in showrooms today and try to imagine whether any of those would survive to celebrate their 104th birthday. I would highly doubt it. This classic personifies (or “auto-fies”) that old story about the guy who owned his grandfather’s ax. It was completely original except that it had received three new heads and six new handles. This Model T is a bit like that because while most of it is original, it does wear some body parts from earlier models. This includes the main body structure, radiator, cowl, and front fenders. The seller believes that these are from a 1915 or 1916 model. Everything else is consistent with a 1917 model. There is plenty of surface corrosion but no penetrating rust. The frame is structurally sound, but the buyer will need to source a new top and a replacement for the cracked windshield. The best way to view this Ford’s interior would be to consider it as a blank canvas. There is precious little in the way of fittings and no upholstery, which means that the buyer will be starting from scratch with this area of the car. That’s not a complete disaster because most of the parts are pretty easy to find. Ford produced more than 15,000,000 examples of the “T” during its production run, and that pretty well guaranteed that there would always be a thriving industry for genuine and reproduction parts. Incredibly, even today, genuine NOS parts that were made more than 100-years-ago will pop up for sale on sites like eBay. That means that if the buyer is patient and is seeking complete originality, it is conceivable that they could achieve it with a Model T. The owner has done some checking, and he believes that the 177ci flathead 4-cylinder engine that occupies this Ford’s engine bay is original to the car. These are a bulletproof old thing that is capable of producing 20hp. They are such a robust design that many saw service as stationary units to power pumps and sawmill equipment long after the rest of the car had found its way onto the scrapheap. This engine doesn’t run, but it is complete. The owner has applied a starting handle, and the little four does turn freely. It is conceivable that it could be coaxed back to life, but I would be inclined to treat it to a careful inspection first. Yes, they’re tough, but we’re talking about a 104-year-old engine that has lain dormant for more than five decades. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Included in the sale is a wide variety of parts, and while some are believed to be from a later Model A, there are still plenty of bits suitable for this classic. This includes wheels, tires, axles, brakes, front spindles, oil pans, and even a spare engine block. The owner could choose to retain these parts or sell the surplus pieces to help fund the restoration work. This 1917 Ford Model T isn’t completely original, but it holds a lot of promise as a restoration project. The fact that it has remained intact and structurally sound for more than a century is a testament to how well these cars were built. It would make a wonderful family project that could be enjoyed and appreciated when the work is complete. Many activities can serve as family bonding experiences, but a project like this rates as one of the best. Plenty of families have reaped the benefits of this type of project, and if you do have a young family, maybe this is a classic that deserves a closer look.