MTFCA Forum

Hello!

This a a broad question, I know. Locally there is a very nice Model T Haywagon conversion. Looks well built and stored indoors. It has wood spokes, and a real period conversion kit for the tongue (not a hack.job). While I don't see my Tudor pulling it, it would be a dandy wagon behind the Farmall H for our maple sap collecting and business. So, how much would you be willing to pay for an authentic antique conversion in great condition?

Picture of your Model T farm wagon would help.
Use to see them in various set-ups in Farm auctions. If you did intend to use it behind you H Farmall new tires for it would cost more than what the rest of it would be worth. You never know though what someone would pay for it though if they wanted it. Depends on how old the chassis is.

Whoops, thanks John!

Depends….if it transitioned from a 1914 or before T, I pay $600. If from a ‘20s something, I’d pay $50. But, if it fits in with another hobby (old tractor), I’d pay up for it. I once bought a Model T hay wagon maintained outside in a fairly arid climate. Bought it for the man’s price - $25. Had nice wire wheels and hubs too.

If the wheels are sound and the tires usable, I'd figure 500.00. If it has a good oil pan, so much the better. I doubt if most people could put a similar wagon together for that money, and this one appears to be a "real deal". I wonder what it weighs empty... maybe 700 # ?

Looks like the front end is still fairly tight. It doesn’t look like it’s been over used and banged up like so many are. Some one took care of it.
If you could get it for to use in you farm business go for it. You maybe could repaint it to have a closer match for your Farmall than John Deere green!!! Just kidding of course and it’s in pretty good shape and hadn’t been on the back forty acres and in the open for years and years.
Whoever built it did a good job considering how all the iron pieces and the rear bed gate chains are cut so evenly!

The wheels, axles and spring type indicate a post 1919 chassis. Looks great!

Looks like tires would be the only major issue. Given you have a business use for it... I'd do about $500. Tires are a business expense so... Riverside tires for $200 ea. Depreciation/tax write off reduces the actual cost. Have fun & enjoy it.

Oh, now I see the pictures ! It looks a whole lot nicer than what I pictured in my mind’s eye. Wood wheels look nice / tires hold air. I agree with $500.

I really like the imaginative adoption of a set of fenders from an improved car. A farm trailer with fenders is truly unusual.
Allan from down under.

Good looking wagon. Might want to have a look at the left side rear axle. Looks like the wheel is coming away from the rear a good bit. To bad they cut the fenders short. You could have put running boards on it to make it easier to get into.

Thank you all for your wisdom! At first the asking price was 1350, which made me choke. They're down to 800, which is still high in my book (and apparently yours too! )

I'll put the offer out there and see what happens.

Good catch on that left rear axle. If it is only being used as a wagon, would I really need to tear the rear appart and replace the babbitt? I assume that is the issue. Although pulling and packing outer bearings wouldn't hurt.

At $800 , I'd be asking myself how much work it would take to replicate this, and jump in quickly before someone else does.
Allan from down under.

The tires may last a while yet since you wouldn’t be using the wagon on the road that much. They probably aren’t the originals to the wheels and may not have come to the “ may pop” stage yet. As far as the rear end goes jack up the rear end off the ground if they will let you and turn it by hand and see if it’s loose and and noisy. You could also see if the rear wheels are loose or whatever.

I’d be curious to know if the driveshaft opening on the rear end has a cover or has been left open.

If it's near you, 800. is probably reasonable.

Well, the owner accepted my offer! I'll pick it up Tuesday and share some more photos. Thanks again everyone!

Just finished putting a new floor on the wagon. Unfortunately, it sat outside for sale for months and started growing mushrooms underneath. It's a shame that it lasted for decades under a roof just to rot in a yard. The rot on the ship lap floor was significant. I decided to try to preserve what I could and then structurally rebuild around the original bad wood. Then put flashing over the cross members. Since I will use it to collect maple sap, I left wide gaps for splashes to drain through.

The bushings in the perches are shot, so if I feel like tinkering this summer, I will tackle them...otherwise it's a testament to what can be built from a tired Model T. The front tires are new, and the rear are checked, but no strings showing. They should last for years as a chore wagon. Interestingly there is a taillight under it, but no wiring. Also, the hitch is pretty cool!

Here are more pics.

Oh, and I straightened used nails to out the bed down...I figured that was a "period correct" way to reultilize materials lol

A lot of what looks like heavy rust on the undercarriage appears to actually be several layers of flaking paint.

Reuse the nails if you can. I grew up on our farm and we would save “good used nails” for the next project when one would come up.
Depending on how far with restoring or repairing the trailer I think I would replace the bushings on the perch’s and maybe others if needed.
Makes me wonder if the differential cover is homemade or was one available from the T aftermarket places.
Regardless it was well used but taken care of over the years.

The hitch has a tightening knob on it that is exactly like the one that came in a T parts bucket I got years ago. Now I know what it was for. I’m thinking the hitch is a forerunner of the later bulldog hitch that’s been around for a while.

George, shiplap joints in the floorboards is another indication that the builder knew what he was doing. They are designed to allow water to pass through, so the floor stays flat.
Too often in restorations tongue and grooved flooring is used, often cramped together to minimise gaps. The moment it gets wet and the wood swells in response the floor will buckle. Leaving the gaps you intend will prevent this.
Nice find.

Allan from down under.

Restoring nails...brings back memories. One of my jobs as a very young kid at my Grandparents place was sitting at his anvil straightening buckets full of old nails, most of them old forged square heads saved from an old demolished barn. I still have a handful of them, anywhere from 2" to 12" in length

I wonder now how many young kids today would have the same patience, or could be so readily motivated.

In the absence of a steering wheel in no
2, I wonder how they drove it.
Allan from down under.