What would be a fair selling price…

[jiminbartow]

Since there have been several “what would be a fair selling price for this”, inquiries, I have one of my own. How much should I ask for my 1926 Fordor? Always garage kept. All complete, all original, never restored, super solid body wood and joints. Body very straight and aligned. No damage or dents to body. Doors close good and straight. I bought it in 2004, with the intention of restoring it, but I am now 67 with bad knees and a double hernia and have come to the realization that I will never be able to find the time, energy or money to restore it. Next week, I plan on pulling it out of the garage and taking many pictures of it and listing it on eBay and in the MTFCA classified ads in the next few weeks. Hopefully, I can find a good home for it with a fellow Model T lover that will keep it as a stock Model T and not turn it into a rat rod. Thank you for your advice. Jim Patrick

[Steve Jelf]

I think these price estimates are still pretty good, though some claim Model T values have declined.

http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG99.html

[NealW]

I think these price estimates are still pretty good, though some claim Model T values have declined.

http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG99.html

I have to respectfully disagree. I think Steve's link is a great write up as a qualitative guide to what affects the selling price, but my observation is that prices in the article are just not realistic. A review of Model T listings on Hemmings, Classiccars, Classic Autotrader etc show Model T ASKING prices are generally higher than the prices in the article. It is quite fair to say that what people are asking and what cars will sell for is two different prices, and I would agree. That is why I believe a review of online auction selling prices can be a better indication of what people are willing to pay on a given day for a Model T. I am not talking about what a Model T sells for at an estate auction or even an auto specific auction, although the latter may also be representative.

I love the MTFCA forum site and regularly review both the parts and vehicle for sale pages. However, I think that trying to sell a T on the forum site is not likely to result in a very high selling price. This is because most people on the site already have one or more Model T's already and are not really looking for another T unless it is a bargain, unique or rare.

The following two links show recent results for Model T auction selling prices (although not all reached their reserve). I just sold our 21 touring for over $16k on a Hemmings auction. Hemmings was great to work with and cost me only $99 to list the car with them for an auction. Auction fees are collected from the buyer. Steve's link indicates the that car would have been worth $10-12k. Maybe that would be in the range of offers I would have received if I only listed it on the MTFCA classified forum site, and who knows how long it would have taken to sell. Total process for selling it on the Hemmings auction was about four weeks, including the two week auction listing. During that time it had over 7000 auction views and over 120 people who signed up to follow the bid. Selling a T requires a unique buyer and you need to get your car in front of unique buyers, not just people looking for a bargain. The time of year can also affect the selling price, but both auction links below show sales at decent prices that are not the time of year you would think would be good for selling a car.

Also I cannot over emphasize the importance of taking a lot of good pictures in bright sunshine at close to "solar noon" so that the shadows are minimized. Hemmings provided a checklist of recommended photos to take and from what perspective.

Recent Model T auction results on Hemmings:

https://www.hemmings.com/auctions/searc ... 0model%20t

Recent Model T auction results on Bring a Trailer:

https://bringatrailer.com/ford/model-t/

[Scott_Conger]

Neal, you've given some excellent advice

My experience has been that removing a stubborn clincher tire from its rim, and getting a Model T owner to part with money is a very similar exercise in level of effort, and many times requires the same tools.

[TXGOAT2]

Everything costs more than it did a couple of years ago. Look for CURRENT information, and be aware that your car, as you describe it, is unique. From the look of it, the last thing it needs is restored.

[jiminbartow]

Pat, in addition to the “finding the time to do it” issue, the fine original cosmetic condition of the car is another reason I procrastinated on doing a total restore. I suppose I could have done an engine overhaul and overall mechanical restoration, leaving the body alone, but that is where the “finding the time” issue comes into effect. Of course the red paint is not original but that is the way it was when I bought it. I assume someone sprayed it with a coat of paint just to preserve the body for a proper Windsor Maroon pain job, but I guess they too were unable to make the time. Everything else is totally original. The red striped upholstery, the vinyl roof covering (or whatever the roof covering was called back then) are original and even the body and fender bolts are original. Judging by what the parts would sell for if the car was parted out (not that I would ever consider that), I was thinking $8,000.00. Jim Patrick

[speedytinc]

Pat, in addition to the “finding the time to do it” issue, the fine original cosmetic condition of the car is another reason I procrastinated on doing a total restore. I suppose I could have done an engine overhaul and overall mechanical restoration, leaving the body alone, but that is where the “finding the time” issue comes into effect. Of course the red paint is not original but that is the way it was when I bought it. I assume someone sprayed it with a coat of paint just to preserve the body for a proper Windsor Maroon pain job, but I guess they too were unable to make the time. Everything else is totally original. The red striped upholstery, the vinyl roof covering (or whatever the roof covering was called back then) are original and even the body and fender bolts are original. Judging by what the parts would sell for if the car was parted out (not that I would ever consider that), I was thinking $8,000.00. Jim Patrick

From the pix, this looks like a nice T @ a very reasonable price. Should be an easy sell, even to another T guy.
Price debate will turn into an oil debate fast.
A guy with money that wants to own a T will pay big $$. More than "necessary", & is likely to get a pretty money pt..
Recently got a Kansas "barn find" 23 roadster running after sitting in a SoCal garage over 50 years. Ran with a battery & gas in less than 30 min.
Most worn out T I have ever seen everywhere
$2000 later it was a good runner (valve job ++++). Owner gave up & sold it for $4500 to another member.
A friend just picked up an original/old restoration centerdoor for $4500. Looks worth every bit of 9.
A few years back, I put a rux kit in a 27 2 door. T was show quality restored with a warmed up new motor . Shortly after, they needed to move north & couldnt get 15 for it.
From what I see, Jelfs price values are good for buying. Wouldnt sell any of my babies that low. I'll never get my mechanical $$ back, But I know this going in. It's my hobby not a car flipping business.

[TBones12]

I could be way, way, way wrong, but it seems like the guys and gals on this forum play and sell to each other-ish and the prices are low.
We are like the active hobbyist (I know that is all true. I have met guys who do not like to use this forum or the internet.)

But buyers who do not read this forum seem to pay more for the T, like Hemmings, etc.....

[John Codman]

It looks like a very nice car. I think that your best bet would be to try to sell it to somebody who is looking for their first Model T. It is sharp in bright red, but a purest will be thinking "strip and paint" and will deduct something for that.

[John kuehn]

Since you said this car is still ‘pretty tight’ doors wise, in good original condition and what I would call a good survivor it should go to someone who won’t use the good body and make a rat or hot rod out of it. To me the red color would make it a good head turner on a tour. I think $8.000 would be the right price for an original solid car.

[jiminbartow]

Good advice John. While I would love to be sure it would go to someone like us who would not turn it into a rat rod, but leave it as a stock Fordor Model T, it would be difficult to ensure that the type of buyer would come along that I would prefer.

Can anyone suggest a way to ensure that the T is purchased by someone who feels about Model T’s as we do and would keep it as a Model T. I can never forget what Boyd Coddington did to a beautiful little ‘26 Coupe when he demolished it, casting the parts aside to turn it into the ugliest rat rod I ever saw. After that, I detested him. Jim Patrick

[Kaiser]

I saw a bumper sticker once (on a ugly rat rod) that said "Avoid the Boyd" , gave me a good chuckle
But serious, i don't think you have to fear the rat rod crowd as it isn't a coupe, they generaly will not touch anything with four doors

[TXGOAT2]

You can buy new sheet metal bodies today, as well as '32 frames and much more. You can even buy a brand new 1960s Chevy II body.

[TRDxB2]

It looks like a very nice car. I think that your best bet would be to try to sell it to somebody who is looking for their first Model T. It is sharp in bright red, but a purest will be thinking "strip and paint" and will deduct something for that.

Very good statement. The buying audience is what will determine the price one gets. There is noway you can protect its future, so forget that. If you don't I'll buy it for $2,000 and promise to keep it as is as long as I have it ( ). No two T's are exactly the same in condition and buying audience etc., so there is always a + on sold prices. The color is both a positive and negative as stated above. You never know, but someone may really want it as is, for whatever reason, and its the only one out there. Then there are gotta-be-originals.
A "fair price" is what a buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to accept. So asking price "$14,500 or best offer" and settle for over $10K and don't be sentimental . Its a nice looking car and I expect its even better in person.

[George Mills]

Hey Marine,

I think you are short-selling yourself with the balloon number you floated.

One thing I have learned about this forum participants...by and large they buy cheap and won't consider otherwise...lol...(but true)

You have what others call the color problem...but its not a color 'problem' it just limits the audience, or, has someone wanting to put 3-4K into an offset just because it is red. I know of a 27 FORDOR that was painted garish green by mistake but the buyer thought it was unique and satisfying. The seller managed to get about 12 for it...his asking price...but he had also managed to find that unique buyer! He had told me he would have taken 10 if a serious buyer only complained about the paint color which was at least fresh and smooth.

You have a South Central Florida problem. Getting folks to even come kick tires to your neck of the woods is a bit of a chore. There was a really good 27 Roadster at a fair price that languished for sale in St. Pete for what seemed forever. My nickel says locals on the coast are looking for brass, or a 27 that comes in color...the right color. This roadster was pinkish with rose highlights. That actually did not bother me,,,just didn't need a Roadster in the family...I think it may have sold...it's no longer listed local.

You have the Jim Patrick not a problem heart on sleeve honesty that you have shown repeatedly on this forum...go for it.

There is a get together coming, backroads no-traffic-light tour ( maybe not even a stop-sign) of the area through east of Riverside FL in a couple of weeks...joint get together of the Suncoast T's and the North Central T's of Florida. Pick a price, maybe give a shout out to Ben Umberger or Bob Hester and see if something might make sense to all and any as they pass by as close as any activity will ever be? I won't be with them this year.

I'd agree to ask 11-12, probably settle north of 10,000 and at 8K it might scare people who don't know the car...just my opinion, and everyone has one. If you do get down to 8 and its still around after Christmas...give me a shout out...I need another T like I need a hole-in-the head...the stable already has a 25 Fordor...but I might, repeat might, come over to kick tires and you never know...impulse can be a strange partner for a hidden jewel. I think Bartow is only about an hour or so east of Largo?

Semper Gumby!