1927 Production Dates

[rnwilliams]

Have been looking at a car which was born on August 12, 1926. From everything I am reading 1927 production was from August 1926 to May 26, 1927. Does that make this car an early 1927 model year. Owner says it's a 1926??

[KeithG]

Yes, it's a '27 model year car. Fords model year started usually on August 1st.

Keith

[Steve Jelf]

Owner says it's a 1926??

I'd ask him why. Without a really good explanation, I'd go with what Bruce McCalley published.

http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG90.html

[rnwilliams]

Thank you Keith and Jeff. I was also thinking 1927. The owner says '26 only because that's what he was told when he bought it 40 years ago.
Since posting I am now the new owner of a 1927 Model T Fordor.

[HPetrino]

A suggestion:

If you're looking to buy this car, it's fine to get all the facts you can. HOWEVER, if you do buy it and it has a registration, go with whatever it says on the registration as far as DMV is concerned. Any attempt to "correct" it will only cause you problems with no net gain.

[rnwilliams]

Thanks Henry, The car is in Alabama and they don't have titles for older cars. Will be sold on a bill of sale. Pretty easy to get a Tennessee title.

[Bill Robinson]

'Ol Splash did it again! Congratulations!

[fliverfan]

Thank you Keith and Jeff. I was also thinking 1927. The owner says '26 only because that's what he was told when he bought it 40 years ago.
Since posting I am now the new owner of a 1927 Model T Fordor.

The P.O. to the P.O. may have also been lead to believe it was a 26. Back then, in states that issued titles, it wasn't an uncommon practice for the state to only use the calendar year in which the title transfer occurred. The manufacturer's model year was simply ignored by some states even into 1960's.

[George N Lake Ozark]

My Oct.26 car has all the features of a Early '27. If you can check the upper frame rail on the passenger side of car you should find the real Vin number. If your your Vin matches the engine you are lucky . Mine has been registered as a '26 for some time and the last time I kept as such. I've read that the State of Missourah started the whole Vin Idea but list cars by date of manufacture rather than Model Year .

[Steve Jelf]

Any attempt to "correct" it will only cause you problems...

That depends on where you are or which DMV clerk you encounter. I've bought two misidentified vehicles and had no trouble getting them titled and registered correctly. In some states, or with some bureaucrats, it's a nightmare. Others, no problem.

[Steve Jelf]

I've read that the State of Missourah started the whole Vin Idea but list cars by date of manufacture rather than Model Year.

Do you think that's still true? I suspect if you buy a new 2020 car next fall the state won't insist that you call it a 2019.

[rnwilliams]

I spent 3 hours yesterday going over the car. The first thing I did was to pull the floorboards and looked at the frame to see if It was a matching numbers car and it was. According to Bruce's book it was born on August 12th 1926. So now I'm satisfied it's an early 1927. Thanks for the help.