1915 Sold for $5,878.00

[jiminbartow]

This 1915 composite brass era T sold a few minutes ago on eBay for $5,878.00. Did a MTFCA member buy it? Even though it needs work, such as seats, a top and a new color, I think whoever bought it got a great deal. Wish it would have been closer to me. I woulda bought it. Congratulations to the new owner Jim Patrick

[Susanne]

Not bad!!! I hope the new owner of the car knows about us, so we can congratulate him or her on their new family member, and coerce them into our dark, dark following of these black cars... Even though that one is bright green.

And if not, I hope someone can find out who it was, and let them know about us. I only hope it doesn't become lost to the rest of us... I understand the Towe collection in Sacto went mostly to Japan, which kills my chance of ever getting my chassis back or getting it to my daughter (grumble grumble)...

BTW since it is apparently gone, I am still looking for a later chassis.

[Original Smith]

Looking closely, it appears it may not be a true '15. I certainly hope not, but many of them are.

[Steve Jelf]

Yes, it's a mix of 1914, 1915, and later parts. Still, that's a good price. I expect selling the wrong parts would mostly pay for buying the right parts.

[TWrenn]

Or at least just paint it black, put seats and a top on it and enjoy it. Just please, get RID of that hideous green!!

[Allan]

You blokes need to come to Australia to se just how good some of the vast variety of colours look on a Model T. That green does not look way too different from a factory colour on our improved cars.

Allan from down under.

[Wayne Sheldon]

I looked rather closely at the photos in the listing when it was on eBad. It is clearly a mix of parts and pieces from about 1913 well into the 1920s. The photos were not very good, but I could clearly see a lot of later parts. Whether the body and/or frame was or wasn't late brass era, I could not tell. I couldn't tell if the rear end backing plates had reinforcements or not. Given the springs and engine, I would expect most of those other things to not be brass era.
Regardless, it looked basically decent and usable. I would suspect that with a bit (always more than expected!) of work, and a good upholstery kit, it could be a good fun car.
Although I study era photographs very closely, looking for what is or isn't correct for a given couple years, and I do strive to get my projects as close as correct as I realistically can? I do not consider myself to be a 'purist', although I am aware that some people consider me so.

The color is a tough one. While there are no doubts the car should be black "as God and Henry intended", Model Ts were sometimes painted other colors here in the USA as well as places around the British Empire. I have had a number of good friends with model Ts in other colors, including 1915s. A few over the years have actually apologized to me for the color of their cars (how I know I am often regarded as a purist). I always tell them that as far as I am concerned, it is all good (at least within reason?). If they are happy, and enjoy their red or green model T? I am happy about it also.

Recently, I have been searching for some of the era photographs I lost several years ago when my computer did a partial meltdown. In doing so, I have re-found a few era photos of black era model Ts that clearly are NOT all black!
So, while not factory standard or correct, it was done after-market. While I would personally prefer a black era T in black, I don't mind seeing some of them in other 'era compatible' colors. I always enjoy seeing the Australian and New Zealand colorful model Ts. Paint one in metal flake or purple, and you are on your own.

All again regardless. For what it appears to be? A fair price for both buyer and seller. I hope the buyer can finish it up nice enough and enjoy it for years to come.

[Wayne Sheldon]

Just thought I would ad these to the color discussion.

Not clear if it is USA or elsewhere, but it clearly isn't black. The runabout based upon the windshield appears to be 1917. There may be some writing or logo behind the door. Whatever that means, it could mean it is a commercial car and as such was painted for commercial purposes like delivery vans so often were.

The coupe appears to be a 1925, definitely not a later improved coupe. She sure seems to be proud of her (?) new car!

[Norman Kling]

Although the cars were black from the factory, many people re-painted their cars in other colors. Especially if the car was parked outside in all weather, the original paint was soon oxidized, and the cars were re-painted just to preserve the metal, so that car looks like a 25 but might not have been brand new, maybe a couple years old or so?
Norm

[jiminbartow]

Here is a photo of a RHD Model T in New Zealand. I like the two toned paint jobs where the body, above the beltline is one color and below the beltline is another color. Much more interesting and sporty than one single body color. Jim Patrick

[Allan]

What would the Wiggler radiator ornament on the closed car be worth these days?

Allan from down under.