Hi everyone!
I'm new to the forum and to the Ford world. So far, I'm almost done with my first restoration of an old Italian car and also started my second project a little German car. To plan a bit ahead I'm already looking out for a Ford T Model Sedan. Though the small or rather big challenge is, I live in Austria and therefore it is quite an interesting process to get hands on one of those cars for a fair price. My thoughts go toward a vehicle that runs but is in an original (not restored) state. It does not need to be perfect or without any rust though road worthy, with clean title and licenses plate.
May I ask those of you who are familiar with the T Sedan model if they would tell me what I should look out for on the car? Like the italian car I own rust on the doors was a huge deal to fix and of course some parts should not be missing because they are hard to find.
Timo, in the chapter listing on the main page of this website, I found this:
Model T Ford Club of Austria
c/o Alfred Slamena
Kirchengasse 1
A 7210 Mattersburg
Might be worthwhile to get in touch with him.
Fordor, 24-25 Tudor, and all Centerdoor sedans are wood frame. Late Fordors and some 24-25 Tudors had steel doors. I would look for bodies where the wood is solid and the upholstery, garnish moldings and trim are all there. On these cars the window regulators, except those which use straps, are difficult to find parts for or repair. I think the 26-27 Fordors have better window regulators.
My personal choice would be a nice 1925 Fordor with steel doors.
The 26-27 Tudors have a near all steel body except for the top.
Thanks a lot for the quick respond! And I'm sorry for not opening the chapter on the main page I just browsed through the forum for a while. I'm really glad for the input about the frame and doors! What is the price range for a T Tudor Sedan in such condition. So Ted would you rather go for a Tudor with a wooden frame? If yes, why would you do so?
There are some European forum regulars on here. I don't recall any from Austria, but there is at least one from Germany and seems like maybe some from Switzerland. Maybe they can help you locate a good car.
There are also a handful from Holland, but connecting with the Model T club in Austria will be a good move. Who knows? Maybe there is a car for sale not far from where Timo is located, and the local T people may know about it.
Is Timo an Austrian name? I have a cousin by that name but he is Finnish.
Norm
Norm, I am not an expert on the name, but my guess is this: yes, Timo is a Finnish man's name, but I suspect that it is also a nickname for Timothy in a great many European languages.
Dick
The selection on Model Ts is a hundred times bigger in the US than in Austria or Germany. You can find a car you are looking for at about $6K plus $1,250 for shipping to Rotterdam. Trucking to Austria is about $400 and Rudi Kerschbaumer, the owner of ASP in Wells, will get you the pickerl for another $800. Still a hell of a deal for a totally rust free car that you can drive and enjoy right away.
The name Timo is ancient greek and it is not a nick name it is a derivative of Saint Timotheus if you so like. It is most common in Finland and Germany. Needless to say I love may name it is awesome ! The mean of the name is Gods gift.
I definitely want to get in touch with the Austrian Model T Club, though I do want a car from the US. Of course it would be much more convenient to buy a car from the area or somewhere in Europe but in these days everything is close and adventures (even little ones) are rare. Although I'm fully aware that it might end in a total disaster and I might loose money on it as well but still it just seems a good way of doing something interesting. I'm also looking to get a car with a license plate on it, so I can drive it from the port in the netherlands to a train station nearby to hop on a motorail. I just found the information, that it's possible to drive a car within Europe for a year with US license plate on them.
For the record, so far I don't know how to drive a Model T - but therefor I hope to meet somebody with a T thru the Austrian Ford Model T Club.
License plates from the US are not transferable, you must buy your own, that will require titling the car in one of the states and then licensing it. Most states require it to be insured before you can license it. And I suspect that you will have to do that in person, with the automobile to be inspected. In Idaho, the inspection is to confirm that the vehicle identification number matches the one on the title.
Best
Gus
Timo, I would look into the rules that applies in the countries you plan to drive in. They are all EU countries and though there are variations, the rules look mucj the same.
For example, I as a resident in Denmark are not allowed to drive ANY car registered in another country (not even within EU) in Denmark but have to get temporary plates at Customs. Its a jungle and it would be a bad way to start with a big fine or confiscation of the car because its not ensured - not mentioning if something happend.
Why not have it shipped in a container to be delivered at your doorstep?
Timo, I have a '25 Fordor and, yes, they have a lot of wood in them.
I wanted ONE improved T, bought a '27 Tudor and sure am glad I DID!
I love that car to pieces....... .......zoom zoom zoom.......