Vehicle Description
Here's an exceptional way to be at the grassroots of the motoring
age. This 1923 Ford Model T Runabout is a great classic that has
been restored to a superior level and is believed to still have its
original running gear. That makes it a turn-key example of our
automotive history on wheels.
The Model T is one of the most honest classic cars in the hobby.
But with even with over 15 million produced, this one will let you
stand out at the car show. It starts with an exceptionally careful
restoration five years ago. All the major components were removed -
fenders, hood, rails, braces, body, etc. They were restored,
prepped, painted (in black, of course), and correctly re-assembled
down to the last detail. So while the Model T might have been a
marvel of mass production, you're looking at one example that
receive specialize handcrafted treatment for reaching the 90+ year
milestone. The windshield is complete, the bolts are correct, and
the doors open and close with confidence. So while it has been
heavily invested in, it still retains the sturdy nature that makes
these a legend. And the detail work is excellent, too. From the
leather securing the hand crank, to the motometer radiator cap, to
the custom toolbox in the trunk, to the custom 1923 Iowa license
plate - this is a fine example to showcase the dawn of the motoring
age.
The Runabout has a fun and jaunty name, so we know you'll happily
fold down the complete and quite correct folding top and take this
one for a ride. The interior remains a simple affair, just as it
had when it left the factory all those decades ago. So you get a
restored durable button-top black bench, thick rubber matting, and
just enough room for you and someone special. Controls were simple,
and it's quite easy to master driving a Model T with just a few
minutes of familiarization with the three pedals and the hand
throttle. The fat steering wheel makes navigation easy, and the
view from up high is commanding. It was obviously decades away from
air conditioning, but you won't mind a bit as the wind in this
open-top machine can simultaneously cool you and transport you to a
bygone era.
The Model T's powerplant was the trusty 177 cubic-inch inline-four,
which was rated at about 20 horsepower. It might not seem like
much, but it feels plenty powerful thanks to a well-engineered
setup with good low-end torque and smart gearing. Once it's in high
gear, this T is happy to cruise at 35 MPH without complaints. The
block is finished in black with its correct updraft carburetor,
that's still fed by gravity to keep things simple. In fact, that's
how to view this whole car. You'll be surprised at how much you'll
enjoy driving it, and how intuitive the maintenance is. Better yet,
on this particular car, the consignor states that this is the
original motor and planetary gear setup. And so there have been
nice investments in making sure it runs correctly. The 30-inch
painted hickory wood wheels on Coker bias ply tires are the final
touch to ensuring that this full period-correct package feels
1920s-accurate going down the road.
This is an upper-tier restored iconic classic. They even used the
correct cotter pins for the chassis - it's that kind level of
detail you're looking at on this one! So if you looking to be
legendary tomorrow, you need to pick up this Model T today!