MTFCA Forum

Lot number F265, Friday oct 31 at mecum auction in Dallas. I have no connection to this car, just supplying the info.

Dallas/Ft. Worth. 10/31. A very nice looking car. I'll leave it to the more knowledgeable guys to pick it apart.

I love the yellow wire nut in the engine bay.

And we’re off!

If only the right side of the block could talk! Not much in the description esp. provenance and really short on pictures......
Is this the same car;
https://www.goodingco.com/lot/1909-mode ... uring-car/
https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/aw07/lo ... t-touring/

Kim,

What do you know about this car? Is it an original number 22? I know you are the guru of two lever T’s.

Thanks,
Rod

I've heard a number of stories over the years, best to contact the owner, Aardeen Vaughn in Alvarado, TX. Vaughn specialty Auto.

Frank I see what you mean about the top, the irons are missing from the one car.

Story heard, if true, this horse carriage child hearse, sold, and # 22 motor was found mounted in the early T chassis the hearse was fitted.

Here is that # 22 at Chickasha , 2012, on a run-in stand, was fired up a few times. Pretty neat!

Hats off to Kim, Frank, and Others on your homework!

I spoke to Arrdeen and he confirmed that it was originally a Child’s Hearse.
He has owned it for several years.
Here are some pictures he texted to me. They are cleaning it up before the auction.

Is the touring body a reproduction? Does he still have the original hearse body it came with?

Very nice early engine!

How many two lever Fords still exist?

Auction was today, apparently didn’t meet the reserve so no sale.

Since this 1908 2 lever T wasn’t a Touring car to begin with makes me wonder if it had been maybe it would have met the reserve. Regardless though the early T’s probably don’t show up for sale very often. It depends on point of view I guess.

Um…. What was the reserve?

Charlie B in N.J. wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 31, 2025 7:38 pm

Um…. What was the reserve?

It's doubtful the reserve was ever revealed even at the end of the auction. That way if there's another, no one will be the wiser.

Slick. I'm disappointed the flaws weren't pointed out. So it's essentially an engine and chassis or a running chassis with the rest added on? and why is it called an '08?

What was the high bid?

Andy

Cars number 1 to about 309 were built in 1908. While they are all 1909 models, they were built in 1908. I don't know what the high bid was and it's never announced at an auction, they just say it didn't meet the reserve. As far as the flaws go, no owner is going to state what's wrong with his car nor is the auctioneer. It's up to prospective bidders to research cars. I've never seen this car so I can say much about it.

If the car was found in a child’s hearse setup, cleaned up as is and gotten running and driving that may have been the way to go as far as selling it. But desirability plays a big part for a potential buyer in this case because it’s such an early T.

AndyClary wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 01, 2025 11:39 am

What was the high bid?

Andy

The high bid was $35,000.

Charlie B in N.J. wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 01, 2025 11:10 am

Slick. I'm disappointed the flaws weren't pointed out. So it's essentially an engine and chassis or a running chassis with the rest added on? and why is it called an '08?

Because someone doesn't know that there's no such thing as an '08 Model T. That would be an "S". It may have been built in Oct. or whatever of '08 but Henry dubbed them as an '09. So the stupid model year "overlap" started way back then. Never could understand why it is done that way. Seems sometimes the next model year comes out now clear up in late June of the year ahead. Makes no sense!

For anyone who cares to know: According to The Henry Ford, the first Model T was assembled 9-27-08

The builder's card listed it as "Model: 2090 (Model change)". The card is viewable on the website so don't bother arguing about its existence. https://www.thehenryford.org/collection ... =gs-179807

Given that in 1908, 309 (MOL) cars were assembled which had both 2 lever transmissions and waterpump engines, and the fact that within a month or two later, in 1909, the two lever transmission ceased being shipped, the 2 lever Model T is an extremely rare bird.

If I was scanning for Auctions and I ran across one listing a "1909 Model T", I'd say, "big deal" - you can find them at any big tour...

If I was scanning for Auctions and I ran across one listing a "1908 Model T", I'd know EXACTLY why they called it that, it would be a VERY big deal, and though not a potential buyer, I'd be very interested in the auction outcome.

For the purpose of drawing out the deep wallets, any auctioneer with a brain in their head would call this an "08" and simply let the "experts" who won't have a Nickle invested in the process, wet their pants in objection. No one at the auction house is losing any sleep over it.

Perhaps calling it a "1908 production Model T" would clarify.

It would do better at Scottsdale.

Some rare air on that T. Correct Atwood Castle headlights, sidelights, taillight & early Atwood Castle carbide generator.
I’m a bit surprised at the final bid amount even if it didn’t meet whatever the reserve was. It would take years to find some of the bling on the touring alone. A real 2 lever drive train is practically “somewhat” impossible to find let alone one that has been rebuilt. Sort of making me a bit sick thinking about the value of all these early T’s and what could loom ahead. Heck the cost of a rebuild on the water pump engine alone was probably in the 15k neighborhood.

Like John said, Im surprised at the low closing bid. I would have expected high bid to be 75-85K. I don't know what spooked bidders or if there was not much interest.

A sign of the times.