MTFCA Forum

I am seeking assistance in locating a 1926 Ford Model T Coupe that holds significant historical and personal value.

The vehicle was sold in the late 1980s at the Minneapolis Armory. At the time of sale, the purchaser—believed to have resided in or near the Wisconsin Rapids area of Wisconsin—acquired several collector vehicles during the same event.

This particular Model T Coupe was meticulously restored as a father-and-son project, with exceptional attention to historical detail and craftsmanship. The vehicle featured a green exterior accented with straw-yellow pinstriping on the hood fins and double pinstriping around the body trim. It was equipped with restored hickory-spoked wheels finished in clear coat, as shown in accompanying photographs.

Additional distinguishing features included the original green canvas top with a decorative fringe on the rear window. The interior was upholstered in gray English wool with white pinstriping, complemented by a solid gray headliner. All mechanical components were thoroughly serviced, and the vehicle was in strong running condition at the time it last changed hands. The VIN number is unknown, which is common with these old vehicles.

If you have any information regarding the current whereabouts of this vehicle—or if you recognize these details and believe you may have seen or encountered this Coupe—I would be deeply grateful to hear from you. I kindly ask that you also consider sharing this message with fellow collectors, historians, or automotive enthusiasts who may be able to help.

Any assistance, no matter how small, would be sincerely appreciated.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and support.
With appreciation,

If you have any updates, please PM me.

Mark, I wish you luck on finding this car but honestly, that is a pretty common combination of colors, so without the serial number, it is going to be tough.
I would suggest editing your post and remove personal contact information from the actual post and use the PM or email through the site for contact. Anyone can read this site/page even if not a member.

Thank you.

I researched the StarTribune digital archives to see if there were any advertisements for car auctions at the Minneapolis Armory in the 1980s but did not find any. If there were, that would at least give you the name of the auction company and, if they were still in business and kept records going back that far, they could possibly give you the name of the purchaser.

Kruse Auctions held some collector car auctions in the Twin Cities during that time period but, after researching the StarTribune archives, it appears that they were always at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

You may want to see of Old Cars Weekly and Hemmings Motor News have archives and see if you can find advertisements for the auction in question.

Erik Johnson in Minneapolis

Without a serial number or more distinctly identifying features you have a tough road to find it.
Paint is too easy and often changed that those details could have been lost a long time ago.
If you have an owner name and address that might help search records.
In the 80's and before records were not digital making a DMV search probably useless.

Somewhere else to try might be the AACA forum.
And if you are brave you could try Facebook.

Mike

That Coupe was in really good shape so it could be still around. If it was a typical restoration find that needed work that’s a different story. After over 40 years it’s going to take some research and etc to find it. The auction company records as stated may help if they kept any.
I don’t know how long auto records are kept in your state but if they go back to the 80’s by the DMV they may or may not help you. Good luck and it will be a long shot if you find the Coupe by any means.

Were both the license plates from Minn? I can see what one was but the yellow one isn’t clear for me. Those plate numbers could help but again it will take some work. Checking the old car clubs is another avenue and not just Minn.

If it was meticulously restored, then you probably have more pictures, especially of the engine's left side where the "VIN" is stamped, or the frame right side top under the engine bracket. I have a similar car but at that time, it was in Louisiana. Photos of the trunk area can help date it more, including the battery wood cover, placement of the C-pillar, window moldings, and rear seat rests.

The white over black plate on the right is a 1926 Minnesota "A" plate (passenger vehicle less than one ton) which is correct for a Model T Ford. However, Minnesota didn't have year of manufacturer plate registration for collector class vehicles in the 1980s. That came much later.

The black over gold plate on the left is a Minnesota Pioneer license plate which is a one-time, permanent registration for antique motor vehicles. That registration is transferable to subsequent Minnesota owners.

Unfortunately, when a Minnesota resident sells his antique vehicle to another Minnesota resident, the new owner doesn't always transfer the title and registration and so they remain on Minnesota books as owned by and registered to the prior owner. Frankly, there is no excuse for this because Minnesota collector vehicle title and registration statutes are sane and reasonable and the transfer process is easy and inexpensive and does not involve sales tax.

Similarly, some out of state buyers don't bother to transfer the title and registration to their home state so they remain on the Minnesota records as being owned by and registered to the previous owner.

To alleviate the above, the seller can notify the Minnesota Department Safety Driver and Vehicle Services online or via U.S. mail that the vehicle was sold and provide the name and address of the new owner.

In the past, I have asked local deputy registrars to look up Minnesota Pioneer plates for me to see if they are still registered to a vehicle and they will provide a yes or no answer. If the plate is still registered, they will not provide the name of the person to whom it is registered.

That sounds like a beautiful and meaningful piece of history. I’ll keep an eye out and share this with a few collectors I know, hopefully it turns up. Best of luck with the search.