1924 Roadster is it original or a restored?

[jayteeaz]

Can someone tell me if this 1924 Model T Roadster that is in pristine condition a restored vehicle or could it be an original with a few enhancements? Here are some pictures.

[jayteeaz]

here are some more pics.

[Les Schubert]

I’ve never seen that frame tag on a original car

[Mark Gregush]

"restored"

[Gonenorth]

Never seen a '24 engine painted Moleskin. Didn't get a real close look at the common sense fasteners, but they look chromed. Most of that type of vintage hardware I've seen has been nickel plated. Still, it looks like a nice car. But original...no.

[RustyFords]

Looks very much like a restoration.

There's a half dozen clues that I spotted immediately if you'd like me to list them.

[DanTreace]

Restored. New upholstery, top and paint.


This is what an original will look like today, 96 years from leaving the factory assembly branch

[John kuehn]

Looks like it was a car that was in pretty good shape and then cleaned up, painted and etc.
It has a water pump (not factory) that was added for better cooling with probably the original radiator.
Lots of T’s were found in good shape years ago and then were restored.
Now days it’s gotten more desirable to leave as it was for total originality when their found in really good shape. Just my opinion.

[RustyFords]

Here's a partial shot of my 24 Touring...a car that I believe to have almost all factory paint. I went to great lengths to find a fender (shown in this photo) that matched the paint on the rest of the car. My car was pretty thoroughly used up, but it was stored indoors after being used up and left alone. It probably represents the condition that many T's were discovered in the post war time frame....up through the 60's.

Like John says above, it was the norm for a long time to restore these original cars.

The original paint on these black era cars seems to "bloom" rust spots through the black paint...which ends up giving it a freckled appearance in places. In other places, the red-oxide colored primer will be the dominant finish. The car that Dan posted a photo of above is showing this as well.
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The car in Dan's photo looks to be very nice, thoroughly original car. About all mine had going for it was the original paint. The body was very rust free and straight. The fenders and splash aprons were wearing the old paint as well but were dented, cracked, repaired and braced. The mechanicals were all there, but were as worn out as any I've ever seen. Here's another photo of my car's paint...showing what I believe to be evidence of the flowed-on paint method.
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[tdump]

I just got home from working on a 24 roadster that was restored about 1971. The only defect is the laquer paint is cracked up in a lot of places like splash aprons and such.
The 1 in the photos has been reworked probably about that time or before.
Good job,I would clean it up and enjoy it.

[Wayne Sheldon]

Restored "like" original. "As" original. "From" original. But not a "true" original. And a beautiful car regardless! Enjoy it.

[Charles J]

Sure looks like a older restoration

[George House]

Yeah, restored. Wheel rims are too bright. Good lookin car tho’.

[TRDxB2]

Check your Title/Registration and compare what is in the VIN number to the other numbers (frame tag & engine block). I would have expected all three number to be the same but the they are not. Normally engine numbers denote the year of the car and the frame if it has one. Likely you have a Title with the tag number 9044291 when the engine number is 9363074. Both numbers are 1924 but provide confusion that the engine may have been replaced rather than a title from another car was used to get this car registered (do not try to correct this, you'll open up a can of worms). Numbers weren't stamped into the frame (no tag) until Dec 1925 so if you have one then the frame isn't original. The tag was probably added to pass inspection in some state.

[jayteeaz]

Thank you all for weighing in on this subject. They were all great comments from people who obviously know what they are talking about.
I wish I knew more about the history of the car. To me, the engine has very few hours on it and I know it was in a museum for the past 30 years. It was registered with the frame number and not the engine number which is not the case of my other 1924 Roadster (which has no frame number that I know of).
I guess I will fix a few issues, add a couple of items (like turn signals and gravity fuel gauge) and look for a buyer for this excellently "restored" roadster since my other one is in excellent condition and has sentimental strings attached.
By the way, I agree THESE ARE FUN CARS TO OWN AND DRIVE!

[Humblej]

John, if you plan to sell it, dont bother adding turn signals, etc. You will not make back the expense, and the future owner may not want them. Looks good to go as is.

[TRDxB2]

I agree with Jeff. In fact do not replace anything even if it is broken. Those things are always a point of negotiation and in some case the buyer may already have the parts. If I were buying the car I would want to know more about the difference is serial numbers. So you need some corroborating documentation explaining the differences. You say it was in a museum for 30 years - public or private? The stronger the documentation the more $$ your going to get. Otherwise your going to sound like a used car salesmen selling a car that was owned by a little old lady from Pasadena. (that wasn't a Ford)

[Original Smith]

I sure hope they didn't drill holes in the frame for that tag! What a shame if they did. Great looking car to drive.

[fliverfan]

Restored. New upholstery, top and paint.


This is what an original will look like today, 96 years from leaving the factory assembly branch



Original 25copy.jpg

Maybe what's remains of the original paint, for if it looked that originally, I have a really tough time believing there was ever an original owner.

[jayteeaz]

For those of you who brought up about the Serial number frame plate issue, when I first saw it, I was surprised and I thought it doesn't look like a 1924 item. Relax Larry, it is glued or cemented to the frame. I will start another thread to see if someone can shed some light as to when it was first used and on what vehicle.

[Humblej]

That tag on the frame is a modern tag, you can get them for $6.50 at amazon and stamp anything on them you want. Probably something that was done in one of those difficult DMV states to reduce the red tape. Not Ford, not model T.