MTFCA Forum

The Montier-Ford that had been stored at Peter Mullin's museum was finally sold at auction last Friday. It went for $24k, far too rich for me given that I would have had to ship it to Australia too, but hopefully given that it was a pretty healthy price for what is a complete restoration case it has gone to someone who knows what they have got and will restore it accordingly. My main concern was that it did not sell as a cheap source of parts, possibly to someone who had never heard of Charles Montier, and it could have been lost forever.
Gooding & Co, the auctioneers have said they will pass on my contact address so the new owner can get in touch as I would be keen to follow any progress.
If that buyer is a member here and reads this, please let me know what you plan to do with it.
Meanwhile, for anyone else who saw it and does not know about Montier, can I give a shameless plug for my book; 'Chalres Montier and his French Racing Fords' available from Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Charles-Montier- ... 491&sr=1-1

Chris, I would think most people would not know the Mullins Montier, here are a few photo's of it.

Here are a few more photos of the Montier.
As a Model T owner and a Mullin Museum docent, I enjoyed every chance I got to see the Montier.
Chris, I thoroughly enjoyed your book!

Bummer that Chris wasn't able to get the Montier, had high hopes! Whoever did get it certainly picked up a wonderful period T speedster.

Chris,

Sorry it didn’t work out for you to be able to secure the car. I know you would have given it a wonderful home. Thank you for posting the information – I would have missed it if someone hadn’t put it on the forum. And your book is fantastic! (For those who order a copy – be sure you select English or French which ever language you prefer. )

The link to the auction site is: https://www.goodingco.com/lot/c-1925-fo ... speedster/

Where they shared:

Charles Montier was a Parisian Ford agent with a keen racing interest. The son of a blacksmith and a skilled engineer, Montier modified Ford Model Ts – and later Model As – for sporting and competition use. He even co-drove one of his own designs at the first running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and finished in 14th place.
While little is known about the early history of this rare Montier-modified Ford, it was formerly housed in the Schlumpf Reserve Collection and acquired by the Mullin Collection in 2008. As these specials were modified for competition use, this Model T Speedster is equipped with special features including a unique Montier overhead-valve cylinder head and oiling system, twin Solex carburetors, magneto ignition, and three-speed overdrive gearbox. Additionally, it is outfitted with French instrumentation, a modified fabric body, believed to have been added later, with a streamlined, staggered seating position, engine turned aluminum hood, lightweight fenders and running boards, and artillery style wheels which are also believed to have been added at a later date.
While the modified Ford is not currently in running condition, it appears remarkably intact and would make a wonderful addition to any Ford or early race car collection.
*Please note that this vehicle is sold on a Bill of Sale.
*Please note that all of the Lots in this Auction have been in long-term static storage at the Mullin Automotive Museum and may not be currently operational. They will require mechanical attention and in some cases significant restoration prior to any road use.
*Please note that this vehicle's model year is circa 1925.


I like that they appear to have used the original firewall brackets and perhaps even the original firewall location. And then have a slightly larger cowl further back for the longer hood to mate to.


Someone has a very special Ford. And I hope we can see it someday in person – maybe even at the Model T Ford Club of America “Home Coming.”

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off

Thanks for the sympathy from those who have commented above but I am not too upset. The practicalities of shipping to Australia was always going to limit my chances even though some kind folks over there had offered to help. I always thought it possible there would be interest, and maybe I am to blame anyway, as there was little known about Montier outside France until I published the story, but my main concern was just that it was not sold off for a few dollars scrap value or as a source of odd parts. I guess as somebody has paid $24K (plus 12% buyer's premium, another $2,880) for what looks like a wreck, they know exactly what they are getting, in which case it should be in safe hands.