It ain't cheap, but it's a swell car.

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/ford/model-t/2032845.html#&gid=1&pid=1

The Houstons provided the Pietenpol Model T airplane that's in the museum at Richmond.

Seems to be priced fair.

Oh boy...I would love to own that....

If that’s too expensive, you can have a body made to order here.
https://www.westcoastmetalshaping.com/laurel-body-pictures

FYI guys, Adam is right. That's a real fair price for something as correct as that is.

Ed aka #4

Fred told me years ago that it was the only original Laurel speedster known to have survived. Given its rarity, the price isn't bad. And he did a great job of rebuilding it.

Thank you Ed! I have seen a few model T speedster/race cars sell in that price range. I agree with other comments that it seems high? But there are only a few top of the line that are worth near that range. And this one, is one of them.
Anybody with the money, can throw lots of dollars at a project, do it wrong, and wind up with an over-priced pile of parts worth a fraction of what they spent. But one done this well, and as era correctly as this one is? Hard to beat.
Not all speedsters are alike.
This car is in the Speedster/Racer Hall of Fame as one of the best surviving restored speedsters. A very small club indeed.

I do think a correction may be needed in the listing about that "Perfecto two speed overdrive".

Ed Archer, This is a picture of my speedster that I sent you a private message about

For an original it seems to be priced very fair considering the engine. Although I wonder, wasn't the perfecto like a ruxtel and a direct/low and not an overdrive?

Chadwick A, Yes. The Ruckstell was the improved version, the Perfecto came out about a year or two earlier. I don't know the exact year. I really should buy Glen Chaffin's book.

I think it is a great deal. I only wish I was in a position to acquire this car.

Andy

Just to clarify -- I was reminded by another Forum member that the only original Laurel part of this car is the body, not the whole car. This agrees with what Fred told me. In my previous post, it sounded as if I meant the whole car was original, but that's not the case. Fred researched Laurel's speedsters extensively and built the rest of the car according to the pictures and information he found, so most of it other than the body is actually a replica, not a restored original car. Sorry if I misled anyone.

Like other speedsters of the era, the body was sold and then accessories were added. So it may not be the original set up but it is correct. If I could park this next to my Mercury I would be very happy. I like all speedsters but there is something to be said for the originals.

Andy

The only other Laurel speedster I know of was owned by John Devick up in the Pacific Northwest. I wonder what ever happened to that car? No doubt, Fred's car is a fantastic restoration. What else would you expect from a fantastic guy?

Fred Houston bought the Laurel body from Jarvis Erickson. If I remember right John DeVick made patterns of the body when Jarvis had it.

I understand John's son still has it stashed away up here, somewhere !

Another "copy" of the Laurel Racer was built up by Dave Johnson up this way for Ron Kipling - the #46 car - Fronty powered !

The #46 car is still in the Greater Seattle Tacoma area owned by a friend of mine. Mike Bender built me up a Scat Crank short block for it recently.

Not a bad price. This car is done with excellent attention to detail and authenticity. Workmanship is top notch.

I see it's offered by Fred's son. I hate to ask, but have I missed some news about Fred?

Several companies that manufactured and marketed speedster and racer parts and accessories, also offered turn-key cars, ready-built, or custom order, and ready to drive. Laurel and Frontenac are probably the two best known for doing that. However, they sold many many times as many bodies and racing heads or engines as they ever did completed cars. Most Laurel and Frontenac bodied cars were individually built using other parts and accessories available at the same time. So, such a car, with a restored original (even mostly original) body, with appropriate era accessorization can still be a correct car. Properly noting that a car has been largely reassembled from correct parts is the right thing to do. And, it should affect the value some. It is extremely doubtful that any complete, intact, original Laurel company build exists anywhere. As such, this one is probably the best of the best for Laurel at least.
Consider this. The 1914 factory built Peogeot racing car, that Lindley Bothwell had owned for many years, restored from an intact original with significant history, just sold at auction for over seven million dollars! In the early race car collecting world today, it is one of the very best of all the best of everything.
In the model T racing and speedster world, era correct cars, I know of a few (less than eight, with a few other maybes I don't know enough about), that I would consider to be among the very best. I have rarely seen this car myself, but I have known and heard about it for many years. For model T speedsters? I think it is one of the best.

The 16V Roof head on this car came from Wingham Ontario. When cleaning out the basement of the Frigidair dealership in that town this unique looking head was spotted. Because of its unique look it was set aside from the scrap pile. Originally thought it was for a Model A. Regardless, it went through a number of hands, the Barrie ON swap meet and finally ending up running on Fred’s car.

Why is it being sold, I remember he really put his heart and soul into it.

Off the subject. But wasn't that Chris Egsgaard's Pietenpole model t airplane at one time

Bill: The 16 valve Roof in the Laurel bodied car is called a type Model A Roof head. This is the first type of Roof 16 valve head, it uses all of the Model T valve ports in the block as part of the intake system. Maybe that is why someone thought it was for a Model A.
Robert: Yes the airplane was Chris Egsgaard's, there was a Vintage Ford story on it a while back but I don't remember the issue number.

Yes, this is certainly a great speedster and worth every dime of the asking price. Fred certainly knows how to build Model Ts and someone will get a very special car.

All of Fred's Model Ts were well built cars. I wonder if Fred's other cars have been sold?

To re-iterate what Jerry asked: "I see it's offered by Fred's son. I hate to ask, but have I missed some news about Fred?"

Is Fred still with us?

Fred and I used to communicate on a regular basis but I have not kept in touch with him in a few years.

Fred is still with us however his mind is failing.

A terrible thing to happen to anyone but it hurts me very much as he was my mentor. The knowledge he gained from his first Model T in 1953 (I think) was always share with anyone.

My last visit with Fred, I don’t think he knew me. Went through this with my Mother and know the signs to well.

At that visit I show him pictures of the racer I restored/built and this was always one of the things Fred loved, speedster and speed equipment. He would talk for hours, give you the history and some times more information then you could take. He never got into a discussion, it was just pictures.

Yes he still with us but I miss him dearly.

Fred and his wife are both still in the family home and it is the goal of their children to keep them there. God bless the Houston family.

Thanks for the information, Mike - talked with Fred on several occasions !

Mike- Thank you so much for giving us this update. It is certainly sad when someone's mind begins to fail. Fred has always been a cornerstone to the Model T hobby and the MTFCA. I know many people in this club have benefitted from his knowledge and generosity. My thoughts and best wishes go to the Houston family during this difficult time.

It would be fun and memorable to post some pictures of Fred and his various Model Ts and/or pictures of Fred and Lavina on tour. I might have some of his red Ames/Fronty speedster from a National Tour awhile back. That was a neat car as well.

Thank you again for updating us.

Mike is correct regarding my father's health and our goal. So much knowledge is gone. Also selling his 1921 Ames Speedster, 1914 Runabout and enclosed trailer.

Sorry to hear this, Bill - we've had my Mom in a "memory-care" facility for over three years now - healthy 88 y.o. but she doesn't know/remember much anymore - my sympathy goes out to your family !

Bill and Mike, Thank you for the update. I'm sorry for this also and will keep Fred in my prayers.

Keith

Bill,

The few times I was able to speak with your dad, I found him to be a true gentleman. I'm so sorry for his current troubles.

So difficult to deal with things like this. My sympathies to his whole family. I have been through this with several people, both with friends (one of my model T mentors about twelve years ago), and several family. I never got to more than barely meet Fred Houston, but knew several people that knew him well. Always heard good things about him.
Thanks to those that asked, and gave, updated information on his condition. I know it is difficult. I hope selling the cars is the right decision and what the family wants.
Our thoughts are with you all.

Thanks Mike and Bill for the Update. Family is everything. I am so pleased to hear you are doing everything to ensure they are able to stay at home together in a place that is familiar to them. I have always admired Fred's magnificent T's and anybody who finds themselves owning one will have one special T.