1926 Ford Model T

Convertible

4 Cylinder

Manual

Clear

Gasoline

This Roadster was parked in a local garage at the second owner’s house in Damascus, Maryland since 1994. They bought it from a local family off Price’s Distillery Road in Ijamsville. I believe I have a letter attesting to that somewhere. When I found it, in 2007, the engine was stuck. The car is a 1926, no doubt about that, but the engine and transmission were 25. Well, I was in the Heart of Maryland T club for several years but I drifted away. Some fine people in that club, real gentlemen. I used to go to the annual Shop Day at one of the club member’s homes and that is where I rebuilt the front axle and mounted the new tires for this Roadster. The shop owner has the proper tools for reaming the new bushings and of course oversees all the work to make sure it gets done right. So, the front is perfect. I did not know how this car came to have a 25 engine and transmission in it. The engine serial number on the title, 12687069 (built November 10, 1925), did not match the engine but it was the title that came with the car. The frame does not have a stamped serial number so there is no way to determine the original number other than to assume it is the one on the title. Well, I wanted a 26 engine and transmission in this 26 Roadster so I found one through the Heart of Maryland club that had been restored. Serial # 13535226 (built April 15, 1926). After I got it home, a mechanic friend of mine was looking for something to do. A project to tinker with. I was knee deep restoring an old farm tractor and was happy to have him take it on. He is an optical engineer by trade and is a perfectionist. He has had T’s all his life and currently has 1913 and 1915 Touring cars. We just did not know how completely the engine was rebuilt so he took it apart. Still has original pistons but new rings and honed cylinders. Rod bearings were snug and he made sure they were correct. Put in a new mag ring. Valves were ground and seated of course. Holley NH carb was rebuilt. New transmission bands (Scandinavian). New ball cap. Many other new parts as well including the sweet potato (fuel sediment bowl). I have the receipts from Lang’s. If these old cars could only talk, they could tell us all the things they endured. It has the usual unexplainable defects. The fan chewed on the radiator fins a little. Does not leak, but you can just see a semi-circle of bent fins when you look inside the hood. The front left fender has some mud where it appears it bent a little on the outer top edge. The car had been painted at some point. Paint is fine, but far from show quality. Car is solid and sound. Spokes are good and tight. I would say it is road worthy as is, but the bands are brand new and need breaking in and adjusting. I would recommend some flat driveway back and forth and then adjust some. Easy enough process. The only annoying thing wrong with the car is the ignition switch is dead. I have a toggle switch jumped from the ignition terminal on the wiring block to the coil box. Easy fix but I am not putting another dime in this car. I think a new switch is about 75 dollars from Lang’s or Snyders. Hit the toggle and the starter button and she pops to life. The seat and convertible top are perfectly fine. Not show quality but operational and not ragged. Windshield tilts open as it should. When I bought this car it was my intention to find a pick-up bed and have it so I could remove the turtle deck and install the bed. Steel original beds from 26/27 are hard to find though. Well, I found one. Pretty rough but it is restorable. As you know they used real steel back then. It’s all rusty and has holes through it at the bottom rounds but it’s still solid. I have a good tail gate to go with it. Needs the wooden bed floor boards and the battery compartment doors, but this is all available as you likely know. Well, I paid 6 for the car, 2 for the engine/tranny, another thousand for tires, front end parts and other needed items. A bit more to my buddy for his time rebuilding my rebuilt engine and tranny. Not counting my labor of course. That would bring it closer to 12 K, but we’ll call that experience. I am officially getting out of the T hobby. In too deep with other projects and need the money and room in the building. I have loved these Model T Fords, went on many a tour and loved every minute of it. Time to let someone else take the car a little further down the road. We just borrow these great cars for the time we “own” them and they keep on going long after we are gone. I have a crazy low reserve on this car, realize I am not going to make back what I have in it. I am open to reasonable offers. This car offers a nice entry level priced vehicle into a wonderful hobby. Little tweaking and it will be a great driver or show car for someone. Roadster or pick-up truck, two-for-one deal. Engine, transmission and front axle have been re-built already and they are the big ticket items on any restoration. Let me know if you have questions. hjsalan@comcast.net. $ 500.00 non-refundable deposit within 3 days of auction close. Balance in cash at pick-up. No shipping but if you have a trucking company come by to pick it up, I will assist in loading. I am located close to Frederick, Maryland. No warranty implied or expressed. This is an as-is sale. I have been through this car from front to back, top to bottom and am not aware of any mechanical issues not mentioned here. That is not to say I didn’t miss something. I did not get into the differential or rear axle so I cannot speak to their condition. No unusual bearing noises that I found though. Video available showing start and driving forward and back. Please email if interested. Good luck bidding. Hope you win the auction.