MTFCA Forum

I have been looking for a Touring body for my '22 and a local car was advertised a few days ago that would save me a lot of time and effort. It is listed as a '24, but I have my doubts. See below. I think it's actually a '17-'22. I'm new and would like some input from the experts. What's your guess on the year and do the various pieces go together or is it a grab bag of parts (like my '22). Obviously shabby and has been "upgraded". Has new front tires and an alternator. Windshield is broken. Front end needs rebuilt badly - has damper to reduce the death wobble - doesn't help. Top and interior OK. Terrible paint. Misc body dings. Asking $10K. What's your appraisal?

Low cowl
Wooden firewall
Two-man top
Engine # and add-on VIN plate# align with 1924

That looks like a 22. A 24 would have a lower windshield going straight across with a one man top.
Norm I will post a picture of my 22 Runabout. The front is the same as yours but does not have a back seat.

Body looks to be about a 20 to me. It probably has a later engine going by the serial no.
Does the engine have a 1 piece valve cover or 2 separate valve covers.

The earlier engines have the 2 separate valve covers so if it has a 1 piece valve cover it probably is a the later 24 engine.

The straight windshield makes it a T in the low cowl 17-22 years. The later 24 had the slanted windshield.

If you have intentions to buy it make sure it has a good clear title. It might have the engine changed during its life and the engines from 17-25 would mostly interchange. I would say it’s a $8-9.000 car. Ask the history of the engine and transmission if it was rebuilt or etc. If you want a totally authentic car it’s not perfect but if not it’s OK if the price is right. More than a few T’s have had the engines changed. Others will have an opinion. But do check the engine valve covers for a closer ID.

It’s very possible parts have been changed over the years (including the motor) which makes it more difficult to date. I did not check the motor serial #, but I will assume it is a 1924 like you said. With that said, it has a pre 1921 front motor mount and pre 1918 oval top sockets. I can not tell from the photo if the wheels are square felloe or the earlier round felloe. Also, is the horn button on top of the steering column or on the side? From what I can see it, I would guess a 1917 with a 1924 motor.

For $10,000 a touring of 1918 through 1925 should be pretty sharp, and mechanically sorted. Better pictures are needed. But the body "appears" to be 1921 or earlier based upon the seat tacking position and rear tub corner. Funky modern tail lamps, some weird front fender lamps, a front bumper that might be original after-market, but looks model A? Upholstery is not done properly (overstuffed!) Paint isn't nice. A bunch of unknowns, and several red flags. Makes me wonder what else is wrong with it?
For that kind of money, it should be a LOT better.

The tail lights are what’s used on modern utility trailers. Some pics of the engine compartment would help also. Is it been upgraded to 12 volt? If it has a alternator it could be.

Matt,
My appraisal for that car assuming it has a title and is in running condition is $8500-$9000. An appraisal is the value for insurance purposes. My fair price to purchase would be $7500-$8000. My "wow I got a great deal" price would be $6500-$7000. My "I stole this and should be ashamed of myself" price is $5500 and under.

I'm with Chris. If the windshield is original to the car, it's a '17. If you want a correct body for your '22, this definitely isn't it.

Many thanks for the feedback. My offer was substantially less than the asking price and therefore A deal was not made at this time. My thought was to sell my ‘22 and focus effort on this car. I’ll let my offer simmer for a while and see what the seller says in a few weeks. I don’t think it’s going anywhere soon at $10k.

One more thing that wasn’t mentioned is the condition of the wood body structure. If the car is a original car that was ‘’freshened ‘’up the body wood could be OK enough but not totally in great shape and just left alone. If you go back to the owner to check on the car be sure to find that out but he may no know either. Good luck.