MTFCA Forum

I've noticed a few cars of interest located out of state. I would not make a buy unless a full inspection was done by a Model T expert.

Do such experts exist for hire? If so, how would I find a person nearest the prospective car?

Is it in New Orleans? You may reply back yes/no.
Then a hundred other forum members can ask you one by one concerning their home town.

Edit: I apologize for being the grumpy old man but I'm not "old".
In reality most of us want to help and would probably do it for free if it's close.

I don’t know a model T guy that would charge a prospective new hobbyist to look at a car and give advice. There are plenty of guys whose business is to evaluate cars from estates and divorce settlements. Most T’s aren’t worth enough to involve them. Find a T guy in your area. There’s nothing we love more than to see and lay hands on one we have never seen before.

gtttrobinson wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 18, 2022 9:46 pm

I've noticed a few cars of interest located out of state. I would not make a buy unless a full inspection was done by a Model T expert.

Do such experts exist for hire? If so, how would I find a person nearest the prospective car?

If and When you find a suitable Model T …

Post a new thread or change the title of this one
to “ Anyone available to look at a Model T in
( insert location ) “.


FJ

They are referred to as "Car Appraisers" . They are for the most part bonded. As far as the term "Expert" that is a way over inflated term, The term "Specialist" is more appropriate.

Hank

I have always considered buying a model T or any used car, one of those things that I needed to do myself in person. If I wasn't motivated enough to get in a car or an airplane and go see it, I probably already had decided I wasn't interested in buying it. Over the many decades of buying cars, I have seen too many cars that did not live up to the hype by the seller, or seller may have been honest but not knowledgeable. Too many times I have filled the gaps of a blurry picture or poor description with optimism that rarely paid off. And if I give it a though look over, buy it, and later found I missed something big, I accept that it was my fault and accept the consequences, can't do that when someone else vouches for it. Bottom line, if you are not willing to go see it yourself you probably aren't serious. Taking a knowledgeable person with you for expert advice good, sending an expert alone for you is a mistake in my experience.

The big problem I see is that it puts an unfair burden of responsibility on the person who volunteered to be the "boots on the ground" for the prospective buyer. Folks engaging in such an arrangement should be aware it could ruin a friendship if the buyer isn't willing to accept that it's only slightly better than buying sight-unseen.

All good advice. I think it is OK to inquire whether someone in the car's location knows anything about it and to ask for a volunteer to give it a once over, but the final decision should not be made until you have seen it yourself. I've seen it done where after a positive initial report the prospective buyer and a knowledgeable "inspector" might head out with a trailer and the cash to possibly finalize the deal. I've also seen them come back empty handed. I and a number of people I know have willingly gone to look over a prospective purchase and no-one ever expects to be paid to do it. Covering fuel and overnight expenses if needed is nice. Helping each other is a Model T thing.

Enough Model T's come up for sale that you shouldn't have to travel terribly far to find one that meets your needs. Case in point, awhile back a new T owner bought a car from Arizona (sight unseen, just photos) and had it transported to Michigan while at the same time an almost identical car sold 150 miles away for $3500 less.

I looked at your profile. You are in Oakland Ca. There are many Model T owners in the bay area and clubs in that area. You didn't state the location of the T you want appraised. So kind of hard to recommend someone when we don't know the area.
You also show that you have 2 Model T's, so you, yourself should know quite a bit about them.
I would suggest that you find a club in the area where the car is located, and ask for someone in that area who is quite knowledgeable in T's to accompany you when you travel to the area to look at the car. Or perhaps they could look for you and let you know the condition. Then if you like what they report, go with them to look at the car.
As you know, all T's made before 1926 have much wood in the body. That wood is subject to rot and termites. If the wood is bad, you would need to completely rebuild the body. Even a body which looks good in a picture, can have much wood damage. You need to check the fit of the doors and the hood. Sometimes a poor fit is caused by bent frame. That can be corrected usually quite easily or if minor, shimming in certain places.
The engine and drive train and radiator can use work or replacement. so a compression test is helpful too.
A car which has been parked a long time can also have problems with the fuel system which will need cleaning or replacement. So it is important that the car is in running condition and can be test driven to see how it runs.
Anyway, I could go on and on, but wouldn't want to take any pay for looking. I wouldn't want the responsibility of guaranteeing my appraisal. Just look and give my opinion.
The price is ultimately the lowest price the seller and buyer can agree upon.
Norm

Norm - My dad is 90, and has owned Model Ts since 1974. He's an expert at driving; he's an expert at changing the oil; and he's an expert at calling his son for help and advice.

I love him to pieces, but you would not want to rely on his expertise on buying a T

That said, if you or anyone else called him to check out a T, he'd drive cross-country to do so, and regardless of price or condition, his advice would be "buy it!"

call him at your own risk!

Problem with someone doing a once over, you can't see inside the mechanical bits where things can get costly and ugly real fast.

You first need to decide on your budget and what you want to buy: trailer queen, a good driver, a fixer-upper. or restoration project. Then you decide what you can afford. The best expert you have available to you is the "T" knowledge & reputation of the current owner. Many experts have already cautioned you on how much can be evaluated. After that everything is "what you see is what you get". If your to critical you'll never own one.

Gerald. Judging from your MTFCA number this is not your first rodeo. But a local boots on the ground guy to check it out is a good idea along with many many photos and a video of the motor running and the car being driven. But unless it a really unique car. If you can't find it in California Henry probably didn't built it. But I find It's fun to look and dream even at my age. one foot in the grave the other on a banana peel.
Good Luck

Someone called me a few years ago and wanted to hire me to go look at a car. He said he’d pay my air travel, car, food and motel plus fee. He said it was an early T but wouldn’t tell me who owned it or what state it was located in. I told him If he wasn’t going to trust me then I wasn’t interest in the job. I think he eventually went to see the car for himself. It’s always better to do your own investigation.

A few other things you need to consider.
What will be your use for the car. If you plan to drive it, then a good running car is essential. But it might have a few dents and dings. Also might have many after market parts or parts from different years. But will still be fine.
If you want a speedster, just about anything goes as long as it has a Ford chassis and block.
If you want a show car, a perfect body with all parts original to the year model will bring the most points, but the drive train might not need to be in as good condition as one which is driven on long tours.
If you just want something to work on, then finding one in the best condition with some things which need to be repaired which you are capable of doing yourself.
So best to take one or two people along with you and look at yourself to see if that is what you want and the price you would like to spend.
Norm

Thanks all for the good advice and have made travel plans to go see car.

I am looking for a good driver car - 1915-1913 touring.

I'm learning and have a list of inspection items a T-buyer should look at.

BTW, I'd love to compare my list to any others out there. I found the safety checklist which is helpful too.

I am not the person that called Kim. My original thought was to find someone local to the car but agree with the advice given here that I must be that person.

Norm,

I've added some of your recommendations to my list. Thank you.

You might want to talk to local "experts"in your area before you travel. Tell them what you are interested in and have them go over the differences in the cars of your interest, most brass T guys that have been in the hobby for over 25 years have Bruces book, and other resources and can point out whats right or wrong.