Is there a market for an "Original" Model T

I know that we all like the Hot Rods, what about original restorations?
My Dad bought a 24 Model T 4 door a couple of years ago that he had been trying to get for about 20 years. Problem is that he bought it from the estate after the owner had passed and did not get a title. They could not find it. It's a great car. 30 year old frame up restoration, and hasn't really been out since. He is 79 years old and realizes now that all it does it sits there. Would have been different if he got it 20 years ago like he wanted.
Anyway, now he's thinking about selling it. Is there a market for "original " Model T's. How bad does "No title" effect the value? He has some documentation about the body manufacturer. It's actually about 3 inches taller than most with solid steel wheels to balance the weight of it being taller. I don't know the whole story.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

I'm trying to find them. I just got off the phone with him , tried to walk him thru e-mailing me the pics. Didn't work. Give him a wrench and he'll fix it, give him a computer keyboard and he'll call me.
I'll get them on here asap

 

It's going to be hard to sell it without a title, unless you part it out. That would be cruel, if it's in the condition you say it is. Check out this site. Pose the delima to them. There should be someone who can steer you in the right direction.

http://www.fordbarn.com/

 

A bill of sale from the executor of the estate is usually sufficient to get a title. As is a bill of sale from an estate auction.

 

That is a very special car. It looks like a custom body with a custom hood and radiator shell. Do you know the story on the body or the car's history?

 

There are LOTS of Model T clubs in both the US and overseas. Just Google them and they'll beat a path to your door to buy that car. They are people who know the cars and value.

 

Shouldn't be hard to sell that car to a collector. looks like a pretty special car. Title shouldn't matter that much

 

My Dad has documentation on the body builder, I guess there were a few different ones that varied slightly on Henry Fords frame. I guess this was to be a higher class body style. I have not gone over that paperwork since he got it in 8/05. These pic's were taken on his way home form buying it. He had to stop and show me. He had it at a Model T show and there was a guy there that had a seen one similiar that he remembered to be a taxi or something like that at some point in it's life.

 

Can I be the first to say it don't look like a Ford to me.

Frank

 

I'll be the 2nd. one to say it. The wheels look like 27 Chevy.

 

You're not the first or second to say " it's not a true T". Documents say that it is. I wasn't around when these were being built. At this point in the game, not many of us were.. The bodies were supplied to Ford by a few different builders.

 

I think you may be right, but it may have been customized by a coach builder of the time. That being said, the people who could afford to have that done back then, certainly would not have started with a Model T. History has told us that Henry Ford was basicly a skin flint or tight wad. He was very fruggle and cost conscience in the early years of his cars. That radiator is way too fancy to be a stock Ford product of the time. IMO of course.

It would be interesting to know the history of this car.

 

We have an article from an old book on Model T's that shows this body and wheels and discusses this body builder. I will try to scan it and get it on here if I can figure out how. I know very little about these but it is all Ford drive train and dash. Not sure on the interior because I personally would not know the difference. Has crystal flower vases hanging between the rear side windows and the middle side windows if I recall correctly. The interior is not as nice as the rest of the car. Seats just need a recover is all. No damage or rot in any way.
I told him that I wanted to "ROD" this car. He is talking to me again.....

 

Chassis and fenders are definitely Ford. Wheels could be Chevy, but aftermarket steel disc wheels were available for T's.

Hood and shell are not Ford...body looks custom also. Taxi or Limo sounds about right.

Post those pics over at the Fordbarn and report back.

Neal

 

That looks like a Buick grill shell to me.

 

you can get a title easy broadway title co alabama , just write a bill of sale yourself and they will get you a title, ive been told anyway its a few hundred dollers

 

Yeah, as NealinCa said...chassis is definitely T...fenders appear to be '26/27. Front spindles are pre-26. Headlamp bar is late '26 through 27. The wheels and drum headlamps could be Chevy or aftermarket. Odd body! The cowl is of '26/27 style (but not like any other I've ever seen). This may be on a 24 chassis, with the rebody being done circa 26/27 model year (26 model year began about July 25).

If you want expert answers, post on the MTFCA or the MTFCI discussion boards.

 

Fenders, front axle and maybe rear look Ford. A Custom body on a ford Chassis. This could be a very special car!

Frank

 

I thought he said it was a 24. I could be wrong. I'll double check tomorrow.

 

My thoughts exactly. I think you won't have too much trouble getting a title with a bill of sale from the estate. For that matter, the executor should be able to file for a lost title and get one in the mail for you PDQ.

I hate to say this because I know I'll get shit on big time but, take it to Barrett or one of the other high end collector auctions. I bet your dad will be very happy with the results. The more you know about the car and it's history the better. Rich people don't like to have to do their own research I doubt not having an actual title would even start to be an issue for a wealthy collector.

I love that car. It's almost a shame what I'd do to it if I owned it.

 

I believe that he tried the DMV and they wanted him to do a "bonded title" and he had to put money down for a three year term or something like that and if no issues in that time, then he got frustrated and left.

 

That's an interesting trailer.

 

It has early 1920's written all over it.I would say it was custom body for livery company or even a Funeral home. That would explain why it's so well preserved .
Afterall the mourners or wedding party would hardly be impressed if they had to ride in a Flivver would they?
It's still done today,I see a stretched Ford here ( 2007 model Falcon) with a Maybach style front on it being used for weddings every weekend.

 

First off, there is absolutely a market for a car like this and I'm sure someone would love to have it. I know I would.

Second, it would be a crime to hot-rod this, considering it's special history. You'd be much better off to sell it as-is and buy a different body than to build a rod (which would use the body but basically everything else would go to waste)

I love it and I'd drive it around just the way it is. Stock Model T's used to be really cheap but check completed listings on eBay and such, they bring decent money now.

 

Who was the builder?

 

Master . Appears to be the company that built the body. We are basing the year by the engine number being in the 24 series. The emblem on the top of the grill is Blue and says "Master Bodies, Cleveland. "Master" is in big letters. The restoration was 35 years ago. Fenders are black, Body is blue. According to the book, That is how Master made them.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7221571875

Check this out guys. I just found this on Ebay. it's sold but it shows this car.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/1925-Ford-Model...oryZ1319QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

If you have the docs from the auction company that should be all you need to get it titled.

Very unique car, I can see why your dad pursued it for 20 years.