Some classic cars make better restoration candidates than others. This is especially true for someone considering a first project. Dismantling and performing a first DIY build on something as complex as a Jaguar XJS may be stretching things. However, a vehicle like this 1923 Ford Model T might be perfect. It recently emerged after decades in hibernation and needs a new owner willing and able to return it to its former glory. The seller listed this promising project here on eBay in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The bidding has raced past the reserve and sits at $5,400.

Some enthusiasts are luckier than others, and the current owner of this old Ford is one such person. This is the second car they discovered in the Wisconsin barn because I recently featured this 1929 Ford Model A with a similar backstory. Both cars served their previous owner as daily drivers until being parked in 1959, and both have recently emerged after sixty-three years in hiding. This Model T is also quite solid, although some minor rust issues require attention. These have impacted the usual spots like the lower cowl, but with replacement steel easy to find, an owner with basic welding skills could consign the problems to a distant memory. The paint has seen better days, and I believe any restoration will involve stripping the panels to bare metal. The frame carries a coating of surface corrosion but is structurally sound. One area requiring the attention of a specialist is the spoked wheels. These can rot, and I’d rather spend the money having them reconditioned than have a suspect one fail while bowling along at 40mph! The glass looks good for its age, and any exterior plated components look suitable for restoration.

The heart of what made the Model T a success was its drivetrain combination. Ford’s 177ci flathead four-cylinder engine produced 20hp, and thanks to the company’s pioneering production techniques, it proved cheap to build and remarkably resilient. So great was the little flathead that it would eventually remain in production for many years beyond the life of the Model T and still competed successfully against more modern designs in some applications. The power from that little engine fed to the rear wheels via a two-speed planetary transmission that Henry chose because it was cheap to build and easily maintained. The setup did bring some complications with the vehicle controls, but the fact that more than fifteen million people bought a Model T suggests that adapting to the quirky driving style was not challenging. Under favorable conditions, a Model T could stretch its legs and gallop to 42mph, and while that may not seem fast today, it must have felt positively insane for those raised on a diet of horseback travel. This old Ford doesn’t run and hasn’t done since 1959. It is unclear whether the engine turns, but the buyer should factor an engine rebuild into their restoration budget. It is astounding to think that this engine is about to turn one hundred, and there are still mechanics who could rebuild them with their eyes closed.

The interior of a Model T continued Ford’s belief in focusing on function over form. Everything had to serve a purpose, and there was no room for luxury or automotive tinsel. Therefore, if air conditioning or power windows are on your Wish List, you’ve come to the wrong place! This interior is complete, although time and rodents have destroyed the upholstery and padding. The seat frame and springs are intact and look like they would restore nicely. That leaves the buyer with choices to make. Replacement upholstery is affordable and easy to install. However, the design simplicity means that some owners have successfully fashioned their own upholstery, reducing the restoration cost. That is an important consideration if you are on a limited budget where every penny counts. Otherwise, returning the interior to a factory-fresh state by purchasing a kit will lighten the owner’s wallet by around $1,000.

The Ford Model T makes an ideal first restoration candidate because, for all his character flaws, Henry Ford produced a car with elegantly simple engineering. That means that dismantling and reassembling a “T” is not challenging, and a restoration need not cost a fortune for a DIY enthusiast due to the availability and affordability of parts. It would have cost its original owner $345 in 1923, but it could command a value of $14,000 once the new owner puts down the tools. This car will celebrate its one-hundredth birthday next year, and I would like to think that it will do so by returning to active service. It seems only fitting after such an extended hibernation. Could you be the enthusiast who will make that dream a reality?