MTFCA Forum

Instead of selling my Model T, I am considering contacting the local Ford dealership to see if they might be interested in leasing my 1926 Coupe on a month to month basis to display in their showroom. Has anyone ever done this? If so, what would be a fair monthly price to ask. Jim Patrick

A creative possible solution to a unique problem. If monetary net gain is your goal, you're probably best paid to sell outright. Arrangements like this tend to be transient and inherently complicated. I'm going to be a "Debbie Downer" re/ the proposition, because any advertising value a T in a new car showroom may yield is severely hampered by the great cultural distance a century old car represents to the current population. It may depend partly on your locale, but around these parts, I find most folks don't even know what they're looking at. Connections between the shiny late models and a "horseless carriage" were at a peak in the late '50s. Still, it's a fun idea from our point of view, so give it a whirl !! Good luck !!

this one is sitting in a dealership showroom in Frederick Maryland. I asked about it when I was there and was informed it was the owner of the dealerships car. They also have a display case full of ford history archive pictures and documents. So I would think it would Solely depend on the interests of the dealership owner in your area. Take a drive and find out. You never know…

There used to be a 1915 touring in the showroom of a local Ford Dealer. It was there for many years. He was even a member of the local club. Then he passed away and the current owner of the dealership didn't want that car anymore. So he sold it to one of our members. It looked very good and was very original except for Rocky Mountain brakes. Well San Diego was having the 100th anniversary of a bridge and wanted cars of the same year to cross the bridge for a centeneal ceremony. He drove the car on the shortest route which was up a very steep grade. The gas was too low and it killed on the hill. He hit the brakes and could not stop rolling backward so he tried to back around to make a U turn and go forward down the hill. The front end hit a parked car and the rear axle hit the curb on the other side. So he needed to do some major repairs and missed the event. Anyway even though the car was in a dealership, the previous owner had removed the brake band from the transmission and Rockies don't work very well in reverse.

The reason I have told all these things is that just because a car might be in a dealership, doesn't mean everything on it is proper.
Norm

One of the Ford dealers in Utah (it seems like it may have been Nephi, UT) had a Model T Ford Torpedo on display in it's showroom. It was blue and I believe a 1911. I don't recall the story but it sure looked great in there.
Rich

I know some dealerships may do this kind of thing, (and it's cool when they do), but my thought is that a dealer's showroom floor space is meant to generate revenue and not to be cost to them. They'd essentially be paying you for the right to advertise a product that they do not sell.

We have two Ford Dealerships in the Perth Metro Area that have Model T’s In their showroom. Strangely enough, they are both
1927 Coupes LHD!
I was called down to one as they wanted to move it and make space for the new Mustang but they didn’t know anything about Model T’s or how to get neutral. Anyway, I found the dealership’s roustabout, spent two days with him and taught him the basics. They were very grateful. Additional parking is a issue with many people these days. Smaller residential blocks, caravans etc add to the problem. I have 4 cars in my 3 car garage, Falcon lives outside and car trailer at a friends property 30 minutes away.
Alan in Western Australia

Yadkin Valley Ford in Wilkesboro, NC has a 15 and other cars in their showroom. The oldest Ford dealer in NC/SC since 1915.

Ford would do well to capitalize on their history and legacy. The Model T is a visual reminder of Ford’s 119 years of experience (using 1903 as a starting point) and impact on the world by developing and manufacturing millions of reliable, affordable automobiles that were instrumental in putting America and the world on wheels. A customer that might go to a dealership with no intentions of entering the showroom might be enticed to do so if he saw a Model T in there. I know I would and if the reaction of drivers on the road that pull over to watch me drive by is any indication, many others would too. Jim Patrick

PS. Getting back to my original question… assuming they were interested, what would be a fair monthly price to ask?

Jim

Only way to know if a dealer would ‘lease’ your car is ask. Fee would be negotiated. Ones that have antique cars normally are dealership owned.

Guess your expenses would be to show evidence of your insurances for loss or liability in case someone got hurt around your car. My experience (didn’t own the T’s) but helped prep for safe interior display was to make the T ‘dry’, no water, oil, battery or gas ( sealed off the gas cap and carb too)or any kind of fluid leaks.

Our local Dodge dealer on Main in Gainesville has his Dodge touring on display, been there for years and is a local icon.

There used to be a 1911 torpedo in the dealership show room in Medford OR in the 60s and 70s. Same senerio, dealership sold and new owner didn't want that "old car" cluttering up his show room so sold to a collecter. I would have loved to buy it but in those days I hardly had two nickels to rub together

jiminbartow wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 23, 2022 3:18 pm

Ford would do well to capitalize on their history and legacy . . .

You'd think so ! I recall a certain amount of "hooplah" in 1953, "Ford at 50" and the Jubilee tractor. I was not aware that any surviving marque celebrated a centennial in any significant way. Our group is certainly aware of a historical significance, but it seems that the general population is either ignorant of, or oblivious to historic precedence.

I think this is a worthy idea and hope it pans out for you. Please keep us posted on your progress!

A friend sold his Model A to a local dealership for showroom display just a couple of weeks ago. Got a fair price. So it still happens.