Stored for 50 Years: 1924 Ford Model T Roadster
This 1924 Ford Model T Roadster has emerged from a 50-year hibernation in remarkably good order. It is a car that could be driven and enjoyed as it currently stands, although it would take little work to really make this old classic sparkle. I have to say thank you to Barn Finder Ikey H for spotting the Ford for us. It is located in Torrington, Connecticut, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. If you hand the owner $5,900, you can head off down the road behind the wheel of an American icon.
The Model T is said to be original, and it has survived quite well. Certain sections of the Black paint still shines quite well, although the car would benefit from a repaint at some point in the future. The owner says that there is no rust in the vehicle, and the one item that has copped a real beating is the top. This is not necessarily a big problem, because the bows look good, and a replacement kit is easy to source for around $380. The wheels look like they have survived quite well, but these are an item that I would have checked by an expert before I undertook any serious driving. Otherwise, the car looks like it will only need some fairly easy cosmetic work to bring it back to its best.
Given the condition of the top, it is no surprise to find that the upholstery has also suffered the same fate. Depending on the desires of the next owner, along with the thickness of their wallet, there are a few options available here. Complete kits with all padding and hardware are readily available. If the owner chooses to upholster the interior in vinyl, then kits can be had for around $330. If leather is the material of choice, then the price jumps significantly, and a figure of around $1,100 is close to the mark. There are no engine photos, and it isn’t clear whether the Ford requires anything much in the way of mechanical work. The owner does say that the car runs well, but after sitting for so long, it might need a bit of work before it is driven any distance. Interestingly, this Model T has been fitted with a set of Hassler shocks to both the front and rear. A bit of investigation reveals that some Model T owners like the way the car rides and corners with these, while some don’t. Whether they stay or go will be up to the discretion of the next owner.
The 1924 model year marked the second-best production year for the Model T. In excess of 1.9 million cars rolled off Henry Ford’s production line, and it is easy to see why the Model T has always been considered to be the car that put America on wheels. This one has the makings of a great project, and when you consider just how close it is to celebrating its 100th birthday, its condition is pretty impressive. As a point of comparison, try to imagine a current model Ford Fusion surviving for a century. Having trouble with that one? Well, you’re not alone there. I hope that someone grabs this car and restores it to its original splendor. It would be fitting to see the car mark its birthday in style.
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Comments
Nice find, but I’m always amazed at how outdated these cars were by the mid-20s, yet still sold like hotcakes. Price uber alles, I guess.
@JP. great looking car, the year and style that I would love to own. As an aside, what surprises me is that I haven’t read any comments on the demise of Ron Carey from Canada while he and his wife, Billi, were competing in this years London to Brighton run. Billi is still in hospital I think as she was seriously injured. Evidently Ron took a wrong turning and ended up on the motorway where a truck took them out. Very sad as I believe he was a great guy and collector of old anything and I have been told that Billi is the current President of the Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Association of America. A great loss.
I read about that. As I remember, he was driving a 1903 Knox which I’m sure was destroyed. A sad story on many levels.
https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/calgary-philanthropist-ron-carey-killed-in-u-k-highway-crash-1.4668686
Another really important car, and interest is fizzling fast. I believe the enclosed version was known as a “doctors coupe”, but I’m sure many doctors used these too. 100 years ago, a huge percentage of people lived in rural areas. Horse and buggy was still the main source of transportation. This car enabled doctors to make much better time, even get people to a hospital, who knows how many lives were saved by these cars. Heck, some of us might not even be here. Again, same thing, this has no place on todays roads, and will have to be trailered, but important to show future generations, this is how it all began. (crickets chirping)
Did they put the patients in the trunk? Not much of an ambulance, but better than nothing, I guess…
Beats a buckboard, I suppose. I think it was more, a doctor could make more rounds, help people in their homes, mostly farms. Probably saved a lot of births, as infant mortality rates were huge. It’s one reason people had big families, because some of the kids usually died.
My older brother was born in December 1945 during a nasty snow storm. My dad and an uncle farmed together a few miles out of a very small western Minnesota town. The local doctor made it out to the farm in time for the birth, but got word of a neighbor lady that was having trouble during the birth of her child. The roads were impassable, so the doc got in the farm pickup with my dad, and the uncle dragged them across a plowed field to the neighbors across the section. Dad said the doc had a death grip on his bag, and his head would hit the cab roof as they went over the furrows. His hat ended up pushed down over his ears. When they got to the neighbors farm, dad asked if they should stick around and get him back to town. The doc said ” no I am their problem now”.
“Doctor’s Coupe” is a colloquial name for Model T closed cars with Coupe bodies.
Title was never used officially by FoMoCo….
Correct, the single seat, two door was called the “Coupe” by Ford.
Model T’s were always offered in an assortment of body styles. This particular car was called the “Runabout” by Ford, not a roadster, and their open car with a back seat was the “Touring Car”. There were also four different closed bodies in the 20’s, the Coupe and three closed cars with back seats, the “Tudor”, the “Fordor” and the “Sedan” As the names imply, the Tudor (Ford’s spelling) had two front doors, the Fordor (Ford again) had front and back doors, while the Sedan had two doors, center mounted in the side of the body. It was also available in a small pick up, a 1 Ton truck (the TT), and a bare chassis for aftermarket bodies. In earlier years they also offered a true convertible, the “Coupelet” and a formal “Town Car”.
Though I wouldn’t take one on the interstate, there’s no reason to limit a Model T’s travels to a trailer, as someone suggested, since they will happily go down the road at 45 mph.
For those who have never driven or ridden in a T, if you ever get the opportunity, do because they are a ball to drive. It may take a little getting use to the three pedals (clutch, brake, reverse), and the throttle and spark advance on the steering column, but once you master the technique, they’re a lot of fun!
I personally prefer the 08-14 brass radiator years, and the more sophisticated 26-27 T’s, but they’re all great little cars.
Model T’s are probably THE most affordable collector car, given the shear volume they were built in, and quite a few remain today. Not MY cup of tea, but once fixed up they make quite the fun buggy to tool around in.
Probably because nobody can drive one. I’ve shifted just about every transmission you can think of ( farm tractors were the corniest) and I think even I would have trouble with this. There’s a person in my little town( pop 5K) that has one under a carport, In the 2 years I’ve been here, I only saw it driving once, and this is one car that will surely stump the Autozone person.
I may have said this before but a family in my in-laws neighborhood in Cape Cod has a touring t that they use as a daily driver all summer. In the town, you never go more than 35-45 mph, so it’s not a stretch to use. I’ve only ever seen them driving or the car parked, so I’ve never seen them start it. It’s just great to see an 18 year old grandson tooling through town with kayaks in the back of the family model t. If I lived in a similar situation traffic-wise I would like to try one of these.
My uncle had one these T’s.It was a joy riding around in the neighborhood’s.
Seeing all the little kids come running out to see it.
Not a good road car,Brakes and steering was very quick.Cool to own if have the mechanical ability to keep running.
Won’t be long before the market for these cars will flatline.
Like the Model As, the collector base for this car is shrinking
fast. The Geatest Generation along with the baby boomers
are dying off and it’s highly unlikely you’ll see melenials or
anyone younger who’ll want one. It’s sad too when you think
back 40 or 50 years ago that these were the type of car that
motorheads were either restoring or hot rodding back then.
I’ve actually seen a restored Model T fetch upwards of $20K
or more at the time. A former landlord of mine had a ’22 coupe
that was his wife’s first car. He kept it in a shed behind the building that Mom and I were renting from him. Since we were
sharing the space with him, he gave me access to the car anytime I wanted it. When things were slow around the shop, I’d go back to the shed and just sit in the car and imagine
what it must’ve been like to drive such a car. His car was complete and a true survivor save for the missing hood.
I believe he said that it ran too. Great find! Hope it finds a good
home too.
I don’t know why, but I really do love these T’s. One day I will find someone that wants to sell one cheap and it will then reside in my collection. Last summer an old friend taught me how to drive one. Not bad once you get some practice.
Unfortunately the Bar Finds website publishes and thanks a person for their collaboration for providing false information. Bad car like this one that doesn’t show engine, gearbox and used engine oil plated to fool good intentioned people.
@Jose Galvao. Please elaborate on your false information comment as I’m sure we would all like to know just how you arrived at that conclusion..
I live in Grosse Ile Mi, a small island in the Detroit river and there is a young fellow, maybe 25ish that drives one of these around in the Summer, always fun to see it. Cool old car, unrestored like this one.
I don’t think the market will drop, it will just never grow.
Cars like the Model A and T suffer from sheer numbers. Ebay, craiglist, Marketplace, bringatrailer, and this website help potential buyers spot every T for sale from here to Albuquerque.
20 years ago you might have ‘overpaid’ for the T down the street because the savings wasn’t worth the time to travel 4 or 5 hours for a car that might be in the same condition.
Now, I can have detailed pics and a video without moving my fat @$$ off the couch
I got the cash, whats their #?
Joe at 860.689.4723