I saw the comments a few weeks back from forum users regarding using the forum for selling. At the time, it seemed that there was a positive opinion because of the issues with the classifieds. With that being said…..
For sale is my 1925 enclosed cab “farm truck”. I built this out of a car chassis I had which at one time held a Fordor sedan body that was in bad shape. The engine is a 1919 block. Anyway, my theme here was simple…. If I were a farmer back in the 30’s and needed a farm truck, how would I build it if I had an old T carcass sitting around on the farm? What you see is the end result. All the metal hardware was built and welded in my shop and so was each stick of wood.
The driveline has been completely disassembled and rebuilt and it runs good on battery and Mag. The engine is stock and about the only modern “upgrades” so-to-speak, are a modern crank pulley and grease cups with zerk fittings inside.
I built the wood cab and bed in my shop entirely from scratch. It is SOLID RED OAK. The front windshield has a three position fold-out hinge common on old cars of the era. The roof is made of wood slats and is awesome. The body and doors were designed to have slip-down windows, similar to the ones Ford used where the wool or leather strap was used to raise and lower the window. (The glass has not been purchased yet). The body is beautiful.
The paint work on the hood, running boards, etc is excellent and beautiful. I have new headlights, reflectors and glass. I also have a restored tail light. Don’t have the bracket though.
The truck has brand new wiring harnesses throughout. The only thing it is missing is the bracket to mount the gauge panel to the wood dash.
What it needs:
The truck needs some minor stuff to finish it up so the new owner will need to buy and do the following:
• Battery, and construct a battery tray to mount to the driver’s side running board
• Purchase and Install glass
• Tail light bracket
• Dash panel to hold the gauge and key switch.
• Construct door handle system for closing the doors
• Devise the correct latch to hold the rear window shut… it is hinged
• Vinyl top covering….. I was going to use the one Langs offers for the coupe.
• Paint and install the front fenders
• Brake shoes
• Paint rear home-made fenders
• Cover the seat – (seat frame and springs are built)
• Finish the tail-gate wood and paint the hardware
The tires are ok and will get you going. You can even tour on them. But I’d put it in the budget to replace them in a few years.
I spent a year building the body and enjoyed doing it but I am more of a brass car guy so this is out of my element. I did this project because I just wanted something to do last winter.
So now, I’m looking for someone to finish it. The first $4,950 in cash takes it. I will not take payment in any other form. The truck comes with a Bill of Sale. I am located about 2 hours west of Washington DC near Martinsburg, West Virginia. If you want more pics OR if you want to ask questions, I will check the forum daily or you can email me.
More pics:
James Lyons:
Nice looking truck. It would be fun to pull up to some feed store and tell you need so much feed and see the reaction. You look like you are a real good craftsman and should be building some Depot hacks (one of my favorite Ts
That is a bargain if I ever saw one. I wish it was closer
Great bargain. As a woodworker myself, I can say with certainty that whoever is lucky enough to buy this will be paying for the beautiful cabinet grade red oak and superb woodwork and will be getting the T for free. I won't say what I think the price should be. Wish I was closer. Jim Patrick
Very nice woodwork!
As I said a couple of weeks ago about another car,if this were closer it would be mine.This is a beautiful truck.Good luck with the sale it should go pretty quick,I would think.
Very, very nice woodwork! It looks cool.
First,
James, let me apologize if I happen to step on your toes. It is not my intention, but I'd like to use the opportunity to give you my personal feedback as a prospective buyer, in a constructive kind of way, not only for you, but for others as well.
A T in fine fettle like the one you have offered for less than $5K is a steal from a purely financial perspective. I personally like the style and construction body you built very much, and if I was in the market for another T right now (not really there yet), it be a strong contender if . . .
Which brings me to my point. I am not qualified to comment on your wood work, but to my uneducated eye it looks top notch. Yet, at the same time, this T could serve as a promotional vehicle for IKEA. It looks like a replica because it is. Yet in my not so humble opinion, the goal should be to create a body that looks like it could have been built in period. Construction wise, yours does, but condition wise, it does not. Had you used (cheaper?) recycled wood instead of freshly cut red oak, or if you had found a way to age the wood so that it looks like the one on the T shown in the link below, I'd be having sweaty hands right now, not knowing if I should jump or not.
Again, just constructive feedback on my part.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300712598563&ssPag eName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
James,
I have to disagree with Bernard on this one. Your design looks period correct and your workmanship appears exquisite. If patina is the prerequisite of a perfect car, the buyer could paint it. I personally would not.
Many cabinet builders during the time your chassis was built would have taken the same approach, and good clear lumber was the norm back then... In my opinion a very well executed restoration.
James, I'm down on my knees beggin to my wife right now! Don't think she's goin for it tho, I'm gettin that look usually reserved for a 12 year old. Excellant work! KB
Bernard - I built this truck for myself - no one else. It was therapy that I prescribed to myself, while going through a rough patch in my life. I built it as a demonstration to myself of my talents and ability. Up until this truck, I had never done any wood working. I had to buy the table saw and band-saw, etc. just to start the job. If IKEA wants to buy it to promote their stuff, I'll take it as a compliment.
As far as being "period correct", I'm not so sure I agree - totally. There are fasteners that aren't 100% correct. For example, while I used square nuts and carriage bolts, I chose to buy zinc plated examples simply because back in the day, the farmer would have used steel which would have rusted quickly. I wanted the truck to remain "new" looking. So I took artistic license. The seat frame was built out of an old family box spring that has been in the family for 75 years. Cant' save everything so I cut it up and made the seat frame and tail-gate parts. Isn't that what a farmer would have done??
I have not advertised the truck as Stynoski-quality period example. It's just a truck I built for relaxation and I don't really need it. But if nobody wants' it, I'll be happy to let it sit in my barn and peck away at it until it is complete.
I appreciate the kind words from everyone!
Keith.... I'm familiar with that look!
James......your "amateur" work will put some professionals to shame!
This just came up on ebay......you're short changing yourself AND I think your work is better too.......
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Model-T-Rare-1924-Model-T-Depot-Hack-/330738 411227?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4d018ba6db
James,
Gorgeous T!
Darin
Thanks Darin!
Another constructive point of view:
Part of the historical legacy of the Model T Ford is that the car was just so darned versatile. The range of its utility was far greater than that of anything you'd ever see among the wine & cheese crowd at Pebble Beach. For instance, you couldn't possibly get away with doing this to a Duesenberg...
... but the Model T was born to pull it off with incomparable aplomb. The possibilities were almost limitless and anything you could do today to modify a Tin Lizzie with wood planks had almost undoubtedly already been done a long time ago by some sarsaparilla-quaffing farmer in a straw hat and handlebar mustache.
I think the craftsmanship of James' unfussy woodwork is superb and its simplicity is very much in keeping with the basic, utilitarian heart & soul of the Model T.
Hey, just my humble opinion.
Bernard,
The T in your link looks like it is 90 years old. And I can appreciate that. But James' looks like it would have looked back in the day when it was brand new. It's kinda the difference between doing a total restoration and preserving the patina.
Now I will say something that may offend you both, although that is not my intent. I would speculate that there was a lot more painted wood than there was naturally finished wood on vehicles back in the day. We just can't bring ourselves to paint over the beautiful woodgrain today. I have a friend who is a well respected restorer. He did a Model A truck for a customer. When the customer saw he had painted the wood in the bed he went ballistic. But that is how it was done when it was new and if the guy wants to win any awards (Which he did), he's gonna have to live that painted wood. 'Course, if you don't want the awards, then you do as you please.
I won't try to match Bob's wonderful writing, but I agree about limitless possibilities.
Hal... I agree 100%!