I have little to no information on this nor do I have much knowledge, what I do though is that it interests me
I may have the opportunity to pick this up at little to no cost, except gas money and maybe some trailer tires.
I am not too sure on exactly what it is, if it is worth anything, or even picking up at all?
Hoping I could get some helpful information here
I do have a few other pictures of it if these do not help
A couple more photos would help.
If you can get if as inexpensively as you say, grab it and figure things out later!!!
yea i am hoping my uncle will go for the deal i am going to offer him, i know he just wants it gone, I am going to offer to haul it out of there if I can keep the trailer and whats on it, maybe cut up some wood for him too
Sounds like a good deal to me, and you'll have a start on your own Model T! Looks like a '24-5 to me.
I think Mike's right, '24/'25. It looks like the running gear is mostly there, so that's good.
From what I can see in the photos there's no way to tell what it was (runabout, touring, sedan, etc.), so you can make it whatever you like!
thank you for the info, with as little experience as i have, i cannot tell one year from another, I know some people can with barely a glance..I also do not know at what point you can rebuild, or when they are just worth parting out, or when they just turn into scrap metal. But I do like the idea of rebuilding one, even if it is a long term project.
Andy, That Chassis is a beauty well worth restoring! If you keep coming here, you will get all the help you need. I would suggest you find someone local to talk to as well, you will have a lot of fun and and a great sense of pride when you get it running.
Great find!
Andy,
Many of us believe that as long as you can find the radiator cap it's a candidate for restoration.
As John said, that chassis looks pretty good. I bet it would not take much to get that engine started. Once that happens, you're doomed to a life of grease, oil, foul smells, bloody knuckles and BIG SMILES!!!.
thank you, it is a inter-family find, it was givin to my uncle by my grandpa, and none of my uncles have any interest in doing anything with it...it has been sitting on our hunting land for quite some time, and I really dont want to see it rot out, so I am really hoping to make this happen, it is great to know that it looks worth my time, I thank you for your information and pre-thank anybody with any more that can be added
I guess I could also add a quick intro of myself..I am new to this site
My name is Andy, I am 30 years old, I live in Wisconsin, my girlfriend just recently birthed my first child, Lexi Lynn, she is currently 5 months old, my interests are cars and hunting...My grandfather was really into building model t's when I was younger and still has a running one to this day
I guess that tarp covered it for a while as it does not look like a ball of rust.
Swap meets and maybe even the forum want adds might find some of the parts. Good luck and have fun with that running gear.
Welcome to the affliction Andy! You really do have a great base and good starting point. Lots of things already present that make getting a running and driving T easier. As many on here will tell you - they started with less. The radiator cap comment was only the slightest of exaggeration. You do have some work ahead of you but a lot will depend on what kind of shape your T was in when it was last left that way. You have some sweet goodies already though - the wheels have demountable rims which are cool as you can change a flat way easier with a spare. You'll have to see but that's a cool radiator core. Definitely way ahead since nobody hooked up a water pump, those are considered bad juju by some around here as a Model T originally did not ever have a water pump. If a T does have one it's usually a sign that the radiator needs replacing - stick around a while and you'll see that they're highly controversial! Haha, but I'm excited for you! That's an excellent car to start with and you'll learn a ton about Ts getting it in driving shape. Keep coming and asking questions, also Google any and all questions you can imagine and just add "MTFCA" to it and it'll pull up LOTS of past threads and posts about anything you can think of. If you still don't see what you are looking for, just post!! Tons of experts on here who can help with anything and everything.
Low radiator and firewall and appropriate hood shelves. '23, unless steel firewall has replaced earlier wood firewall. JMHO. Dave
Senior moment. Disregard last post. Dave
You can make it into a Woody depot hack, or a speedster, or you can look around and find a good body and make it into a T. If that is the original engine, you can tell by the engine number what year it was manufactured.
Norm
I appreciate all of the info I am getting, I used to be on an f-body forum, which is a modern car and couldn't that many responses that quickly, that is really good to know, because if this works out, I am sure I will have tons and tons of questions, I do not even have it yet and I have one in mind
What do you mean by running gear? Is this what I would normally think of as a drivetrain?
Keep in mind, like I said, I have no real experience with these cars, but I am interested in them.
Also if this one doesn't work out, I was offered one for a few hundred bucks by the same uncle, I have never seen it, but it is a storage unit somewhere
My extent of experience is, my grandpa let me drive his when I was 18 or 19 years old...have not touched one since
Norm
I googled those the woody hack and the speedster and those do look cool, seems custom and hot rodded, I will admit i have thought about going that route, but I have also been strongly been considering going the restore route too, I don't getting opinions on this subject either, I just figured hot rodding these is almost a sin on this site
Andy there plenty of folks who have speedsters on here. Hot rods are the next generation - Ts and As were speedsters. There were lots and lots of folks who turned their Ts into speedsters even back in the day when you could get a Model T new. Heck, I bet most of the folks who have a speedster also have a mostly correct T too.
Running gear is the drive train - to include the axles and frame. Normally when I think drivetrain I think engine/trans/rear diff.
Heck, for only a few hundred bucks Id go get that other one from you uncle too!! Considering that the one you have posted pictures of has no body, it is a prime candidate to be made into a speedster. I will say from what others have posted that if you don't have a body and are trying to go back to a factory correct set up, it can be really tough because you don't have much to go of off. Whereas at least if it has a body, even in rough shape, there are clues about what to do. Ultimately it's just up to your personal preference. I have a 1914 speedster. Originally it was a touring car (4 seater with convertible top) but my granddad bought this Faultless Hoosier body for it back before WW2 and it's been a speedster longer than it was ever a touring. I have a couple modern concessions - sealed beam headlights and an alternator (at least it's 6 volt) - but the rest is period correct. But man will Eliza fly!!
There's no right or wrong answer on which way to go - but definitely don't feel like speedsters are wrong - Ford has great racing heritage. I'm sure there were plenty of folks who bought a T in 1909 and no more got it home and they were trying to make it go faster. At the same time a very factory correct T is a beautiful thing to behold and drive!
My wife wants a 1915 Touring as a sister to Eliza and that one will be as original as possible. And I want a TT (ton truck) after that!
Andy,
Just go the Home page on this site and click on PHOTOs and look at lots of photos of all kinds of T's. Speedsters are fun for a single man or as "another" T, but, you are now a family man. Starting with what you have, I'd recommend getting what you have up and going while looking, thinking, checking your finances, and discussing with your significant other, what you would like it to be when done. It's hard to beat a Hack--room for the family, luggage, and guests. Also, you can probably build it yourself. Welcome, and best of luck.
Wow thank you for that info...I know in the end it is ultimately up to me, and actually when looking at something this old, I would consider going the "speedster", or some other custom ride, probably the easier and cheaper way to go. As I can imagine parts are probably few and far between and probably fetch a pretty good price for OEM replacement parts. As where I can find sheet metal and late model parts just about anywhere. So I just don't know.
If I did go custom, I would probably go for the more gangster style look, as I think that looks just awesome, and should easily accommodate a front and rear seat.
On the other hand as far as worth and heritage, it would be very cool to have a factory correct.
A Model T (or two) will be good to while away those six month Wisconsin winters.
Here's a little info to get you started: http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG80.html
And some inspiration: http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG74.html
Check out that other one from the uncle and give some photos too. If it is cheeeeep enough, pick it up too.
Low rad and what appears to be an oval gas tank. It appears to be a 1920 - 1922 model.
So I have done a little google work, and checked some pictures on the main page...now keep in mind I have no idea what this T originally was, so I have no idea what my "realistic" possibilites are. But I really like the touring style slightly customized. In hind sight, I should have waited to post on here, until I know if this is going to go through or not, I do think one of the 2 will but now I have all kinds of crazy ideas going on in my head...it is just an awesome base of a car, so many options
and hopefully I will not get shunned for this, but I am typically a chevy guy (drive a silverado) but the model T is just too cool
You won't get shunned by me. I use a Suburban gas hog to haul home Model T's.
Andy, don't feel intimidated, i was a Chevy/Pontiac person before buying my first T last April. The people here are very nice and usually forgive your past transgressions. ..And for the record, i towed my T home with my GMC Sierra. Best of luck to you in this purchase.
The same frames fit all body styles so that will not limit you to any of the bodies used by ford.
Thank you all, and Willie that is cool, definitely something I did not know, because my second choice would be a pickup, only thing I don't like there is that it is a 2 seater...good date night vehicle, but cannot get much family in there
Thought I would post a couple more pictures, don;t know if they help anybody with any more info...don't know what else too expect, very happy with the response i have had...but going to keep collecting as much as I can, I find that talking to people with experience is much more valuable than any book I could ever read...as questions and answers can be tailored to a specific person
Andy, how long has it been sitting there at its current location? Because usually cars sitting in a field tend to rust pretty rapidly, although this one seems to be pretty rust-free.
It also has the stamped, U channel running board brackets, another 1920 and later feature.
Andy, if you want to get a better idea of what you have and perhaps pin down the date of manufacture, do this: 1 get the serial number (left side of engine, above water inlet); 2 measure the height of the radiator shell opening; 3 in even lighting (morning before the direct sunlight arrives, or on an overcast day) take off the tarp and the hood and get good pictures of the engine from both sides, the firewall, the front axle and springs, the hand brake quadrant, the steering gear case under the steering wheel, and the rear axle and springs. With all that you should get lots of information.
I will be honest this has been sitting in the same spot on our hunting land for probably around a decade, that is why i am getting serious about getting it, I do not want to see it rot away, I finally have a vehicle I can tow it with, got my silverado a few months ago, other people were givin the option and have never bothered, although I think they were supposed to pay for it, I am going to try to get it for the price of getting it out of there. Probably trailer tires and gas
Thank you steve, next time I get up there I will get all of that...appreciate the response
And also I want people to know, this is not for sale, I am curious of the value, but only for curiousity reason. But I have no intention on selling this or finding a buyer. and I am hopeing that next time I am up there it will be getting towed behind me on the way home...fingers crossed
Why would you say that? Seems like people here were just trying to help and support you in your purchase, not trying to buy it out from under you.
If you cannot find a body and can't decide between a speedster or a tourer you could make a plywood floor and bolt on 4 bucket seats and hang motorcycle fenders on the existing fender brackets. Best of both worlds?
Andy, my best Friend Clayton Paddison and myself started with a frame and built our Mercer inspired speedster for my dad just before he passed. He never got to see it but we finished in less then a year. We built on an extreme budget but it will do a little over 50 mph and turns heads wherever we drive "The Special". Clayton built his 1926 T roadster "Josephine" from a parts we sold him in 9 months and drove it to Wendover, Utah from Portland Oregon ( 1500 miles round trip) 3 years ago. His little gow job has a very good thread on here he did during his build. We can give you a hand on some of speed and performance mods if interested. Lots of help here and a lot of knowledge can not thank everyone enough for the encouragement they gave us during our builds. Hats off to you.
Very good looking start. We started with less....
Andy,
Welcome aboard. You mentioned “My Grandfather was really into building model t's when I was younger and still has a running one to this day…” And “it (the Model T chassis on the trailer) is a inter-family find, it was givin to my Uncle by my Grandpa, and none of my Uncles have any interest in doing anything with it...” If you Grandfather is still available to speak with, he may be able to give you a lot of background on the chassis or he may not remember much about it. My Dad tended to remember a lot about his cars and what he had done to them and what he knew still needed to be done to them. Looking at the photos it appears to me the chassis has been worked on in the past. Not only is it not very rusty – you can still see some bright bolts on top of the frame. One of them is holding the pressed running board bracket to the frame. If you are really lucky – it was restored and the engine was rebuilt. And the engine was “pickled” i.e. oil poured into the cylinders etc. before it was stored long term. But hopefully your Grandfather remembers if it was assembled from parts or if it was a complete car when he had it. And what condition it was in when he parted with it. Maybe he even still has the body or fenders?
Also, in general the better the car you start with the easier it is. You mentioned your uncle also has another T but that one he would want some money for. Depending on what you want to do with car – go back to an original style body or go with a speedster or depot hack – one of the cars might be a better start for you. Note owners could also purchase a chassis without a body from Ford back then. And they would have a depot hack body etc. built and placed on the chassis. And space is another consideration. I’ve lived in apartment complexes that would put up with my one running antique but they would not have welcomed a chassis setting out front of the apartment. And you have to strike that happy balance between taking care of the family and playing with the cars.
“IF” the dash and hood shelves are original to the chassis it is a 1924-25 model year chassis. But those and so many other parts can be changed out.
And below also thanks to Phil Mino is a photo showing the high cowl on top and the low cowl on the bottom:
Many of the parts easily interchanged 1909 (sold in Oct 1908 but 1909 model year) to 1927. But the bodies easily interchange 1909-1925 but for the new improved Fords model year 1926-27 it takes more work to make one fit an earlier frame. So far I have not seen any unique to 1926-27 only features on the chassis.
And if you decide not to rescue the chassis – I would encourage you to encourage your Uncle to list it for sale. It will be in a lot better shape this year than 10 more years out in the weather.
Again welcome to the forum and hobby.
Respectfully submitted,
Hap l9l5 cut off
If that is the original plating on that gas tank, which I doubt, I'd put it somewhere where it will be protected! Assuming the frame is original to the car, it can't be a '25, because it has a four rivet quadrant for the hand brake.
Andy,
Try to attend a few swap meets. I mean those put on by the old car clubs. You would be surprised how many bodies show up at those meets. Even if you find a complete car, you will always need spare parts, so in the case of Model T's 2 are better than 1. And 3 are better than two. My problem is that I got one to drive, one to work on and one for spare parts. Now all 3 were running until a month ago when I pulled an engine for rebuild.
Norm
John Noonan, I apoligize that I was not clear on my point about not being for sale, my intention was not to accuse people of trying to buy it from under me, so I am sorry if that is how it came across, I hope yourself and anybody else were not offended.
I will clarify, my intention of that statement was to let people know that I am not asking for all of this information just to sell it off or to get a sale for someone...My plan is to keep and work on this
Sorry for any confusion
Andy, welcome aboard. Once you get the affliction, it is not curable. If you get the car, do not forget to ask "is there any more stuff.??" you will be surprised how many times the rest is there someplace,or at least a few boxes of parts. Good luck. I almost forgot, do not worry about the mis-understanding of your post. It happens here a lot. A lot of "grumpy old men" live here, But 99.9 percent of the folks here want to help, and remember that "we are always open".
Thank you everyone for your responses, and I do happen to know my grandpa has a garage and shed full of parts, I am hoping he will give me what he has, pretty sure he will.
Sorry Andy, seems i misinterpreted the gist of your post,..my bad.
It is all good, I re-read my post, I definitely could have been more clear, I can see how it could be taken that way...so no worries
Also I have been doing a lot of looking at pictures on this site, google, as well as my own topic here...so many cool rides, I don't know how to pick what to do...I just like so many of them
Too many cool idea not enough dollars to do them all...haha