|
<em>NEW PRICE!</em> Genuine 1910 Model T, serial number 19879, built April 1910. Same family ownership since the 1950s, which is when it was restored. Wonderfully well preserved, recently serviced and ready to enjoy. Accessory speedometer.</p><p>This particular 1910 Model T Runabout is one of those fantastic older restorations that was done in the 1950s when Model T enthusiasm was arguably at its peak and the cars were not only plentiful, but also properly restored and maintained. Showing serial number 19879, it dates to early April 1910, making it a remarkable survivor that is quite faithful to the original intent, skipping the various upgrades that many Model T owners would inflict on later cars. The wooden Runabout body is original and in fantastic condition, wearing correct black varnish with ornate gold pinstripes that make the simple T look far more elegant and sophisticated. The brass has a soft shine that could be enhanced with some elbow grease or left as-is for a bit of patina that suits the car just fine. The original headlights are intact, as are the kerosene-fired cowl lamps and taillight, but the running boards are from a later car. andlsquo;1910andrsquo; numerals were added front and rear, something that will certainly cut down on the number of questions you have to answer at fuel stops. The paint, which is now the better part of five decades old, remains in great condition and the car needs nothing to be shown and enjoyed as it sits.</p><p>The black leather upholstery is also quite correct, using diamond-tufted patterns on the surprisingly comfortable front seat as well as the smaller mother in law seat in back, which is probably best suited to people you donandrsquo;t like. The wooden firewall is neatly varnished with a soft glow and the original coil box (full of irreplaceable early coils) is in fantastic condition. Youandrsquo;ll note this car carries an accessory Jones speedometer that works properly today. It shows 2225 miles, but we have no way of authenticating that figure. We suspect that the speedometer was installed during the time of its restoration in the 1950s and if thatandrsquo;s the case, weandrsquo;re more than willing to believe the mileage is since that time. The car is set up for a convertible top, but there is no top included (two irons are included and complete tops are readily available).</p><p>Early Ts were powered by the same durable 177 cubic inch inline-4 that powered all the Model Ts, but the earliest cars like this used exposed valve trains, which not only provides a fascinating window into the engineandrsquo;s operation, but makes genuine early cars easy to spot. Weandrsquo;re assuming that the engine has been rebuilt at some point and it has been recently and extensively serviced so that it runs its very best today. Get the spark and throttle settings right and it fires with a single pull of the crank, a rather remarkable feat thatandrsquo;s always a crowd-pleaser. The engine bay is neatly detailed with new cloth-covered spark plug wires, correct hose clamps, a leather fan belt, and a freshly rebuilt carburetor. There is no water pump, as all early Ts used a thermosiphon system to circulate coolant, and this one shows no propensity to run hot thanks to a new radiator core in the brass shell.</p><p>The transmission is also the familiar 2-speed planetary setup used throughout Model T production, and with a little practice, it becomes second-nature and easy to use. The bands are tight and it works as intended, with a gentle whirring sound that will be familiar to any Model T fan. The brakes work as well as they possibly can, the exhaust has a wonderful Model T voice, and it appears to have its original 6-rivet rear axle, a rather rare find all by itself. Original wood spoke wheels remain in great shape, although if you intend to do some touring in this particular Model T, some new tires would not be a bad ideaandmdash;the fronts are newer but the rears are ancient Non-Skids, probably
|