What Model T or Model T Accessory Do You Regret Not Buying?

[MichaelPawelek]

Back when Al Gore invented the Internet I found this site within one month of its inception. At that time you could type a query into a search engine and only get 5-6 pages listed. Pictures on dial up took forever to download.

Later on I also eventually found Ebay and Model T accessories you can almost not find anymore like fold out camper beds and running board carriers for dogs and small farm animals. Also fold out running board kitchenettes.

The one thing I now wish I had bid on was a really well professionally built Model T hearse auctioned of by a Mortuary somewhere in the Carolinas if I remember correctly. It was very beautiful in near mint condition with huge oval windows on the sides and original to that mortuary. I think it went for around 8k. What would I have done with it? Who knows?

I also passed over a couple of nice pan straightening tables/jigs!

What did you skip over buying over the years you now wish you had purchased?

[Dropacent]

A really nice 1915 coupelet about 15 years ago, and a very complete Himoco motor, all the bells and whistles at model T haven, 2 or 3 years ago. You could spend a lifetime looking for either.

[Dropacent]

I’ve been “collecting” since about 12 or maybe 13……….took me awhile to learn that’s it’s better to regret BUYING something, than to regret NOT buying something.

[KWTownsend]

Michael
Was that the hearse that was built on a 1909 fishplate frame ?
Keith

[MichaelPawelek]

Keith, To be honest I was brand new to Model T’s at the time and didn’t know the difference between a T and a TT so I do not know.

[babychadwick]

When I was back in college (late 90's) at the Bakersfield swapmeet I came across a 16v roof head. Knowing I couldn't afford it I asked
"Out of curiosity how much are you asking for the roof head?"

After looking me up and down the reply was "You are way too young to know what that is"

Turns out the price was 2,000 of course that included the 26/27 engine, rolling chassis (wire wheels), and ruckstel. Boy do I regret not having the money for that project.

[TXGOAT2]

Any of the products sold by J.C. Whitney that would rebuild your worn-out engine as you drove while doubling your gas mileage.

[Scott_Conger]

many multiples of pretty much any product John Regan used to sell

[Oldav8tor]

Amen Scott.

[DontKnowMuch]

Although this is not an accessory or a Model T, I bid on an item on Ebay but was outbid. The item was advertised as the original 3 page contract between Henry Ford and Norman Rockwell for the 1953 paintings that were used to celebrate Ford's 50th Anniversary. These paintings were used in 1953 calendars and reprints were given away at Ford Dealers.

I have often regretted not being able to bid higher for this unique piece of history. I have no idea where it is today.

[TRDxB2]

This setup

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[TXGOAT2]

Henry Ford died in 1947. He was a very resourceful man, but I doubt if he had any personal involvement with the 1953 Ford Golden Anniversary hoopla.

[TRDxB2]

It was Henry Ford II https://www.thehenryford.org/collection ... ts/101767/

[RajoRacer]

You can order that overhead set-up from Mark Chaffin, Frank !

[Kevin Pharis]

There are times where NOT buying the accessory would have saved a whole lotta trouble...

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[dobro1956]

The last item in a long string of "wish I had bought it" was the snowmobile conversion parts at the Model T Haven auction . There were also a few Stevens tools on e-bay that I should have bid more for.

[ModelTWoods]

In the sixties, Becker's A and T parts in Portland, OR offered an OHV head kit, ready to install. At the time, the price seemed high, but compared to today's prices for any new OHV head kit, it was a bargain.

[BuddyTheRoadster]

A set of original aftermarket drum headlights with a crossbar so the whole unit installed as one into the factory headlight mounts. We were starting a road trip and stopped by a T vendor on a whim, and he had just unloaded those headlights in a collection. He demurred to name a price, and I was too young and respectful to press him.

[DJPeterson]

An unrestored but complete 25 roadster snowmobile for $5000 in about 1992.

[JohnH]

I wish I had seen this in time viewtopic.php?f=5&t=25120&p=192228&hili ... er#p192228

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[Jerry VanOoteghem]

I regret not buying an original 1911 Torpedo, brush painted black, that was offered to me for $9K. I was too dumb to realize what a "gift" that price was!

Oh, there's also the PAIR of E&J 20 bullet headlamps that my dad wanted me to buy for $100 at Hershey. I thought they were ugly... what a dunce!

[Michael Peternell]

A lot the stuff Jay Buscio put up for sale! If I looked at and thought it was cool but didn't pull the trigger by the time I would look a hour or so later it was gone! I've since cured myself of this malady. Happy me! Not so happy checkbook! LOL!

[OilyBill]

A 4' X 8' metal drip pan to put under my Model T.

[ModelTWoods]

Its not an ACCESSORY, but rather a NECESSITY, but with the current apparent shortage of copper head gaskets, I'm glad I bought ones for future use, when they were available.

[Duckwing]

I was a swap meet many years ago and saw a nice original set of 1926 Texas farm truck license plates that would have been great for my Roadster Pickup. Don’t remember the price but 15 minutes later I thought “ I’ve never seen plates like that”. I went back and the guy had left. I’ve never seen a set since. Morale of the story - if you see it you better buy it.

Same thing happened at the Pate swap meet 50 years ago. I was looking for a 26 battery horn. I found a guy that had three. He told me they had ben there a couple of days and no one seemed interested. I bought one and headed down the row of vendors. I got to thinking, they were very reasonably priced so why not buy all three. I turned around and went back. You guessed it, 15 minutes later they were all gone.

I also passed up a pickup running board spare tire carrier for $200.

I also passed up a NOS 26 left front fender for $15. I bought his right front one for $10 but wasn’t about to pay $5 extra for the other one. I was a teenager and that was 70 years ago.

[ModelTWoods]

I was a swap meet many years ago and saw a nice original set of 1926 Texas farm truck license plates that would have been great for my Roadster Pickup. Don’t remember the price but 15 minutes later I thought “ I’ve never seen plates like that”. I went back and the guy had left. I’ve never seen a set since. Morale of the story - if you see it you better buy it.

Same thing happened at the Pate swap meet 50 years ago. I was looking for a 26 battery horn. I found a guy that had three. He told me they had ben there a couple of days and no one seemed interested. I bought one and headed down the row of vendors. I got to thinking, they were very reasonably priced so why not buy all three. I turned around and went back. You guessed it, 15 minutes later they were all gone.

I also passed up a pickup running board spare tire carrier for $200.

I also passed up a NOS 26 left front fender for $15. I bought his right front one for $10 but wasn’t about to pay $5 extra for the other one. I was a teenager and that was 70 years ago.

Jim, If you still want 26 Texas farm plates, I know TWO plate collectors within 50 miles of me that would probably have some. One collector, who sells at local swap meets, lives here in San Antonio, The other one lives a short distance away in Lockhart, Texas.

[Duckwing]

Well, I've gotten over it and moved to Mississippi. Thanks for the input.

[George House]

Terry, the “other one” that used to live in Lockhart died many years ago