SOLD: Original and Rare 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

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GGZ
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SOLD: Original and Rare 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

Post by GGZ » Tue Oct 13, 2020 8:53 pm

SOLD 2/4/2021. Thanks to all those who replied.

1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Ford Speedster. This is a great and authentic Model T speedster with a known history and has had only four owners since it was built in St. Louis in the 1920s. From my research, this may be the only surviving original Kuempel boat tail speedster body in existence.

This speedster was built by Francis A. Mesker in the early 1920’s using a body kit supplied by the Kuempel Hardware Company of Guttenberg, Iowa. The Mesker Family operated one of the largest architectural metal foundries in the Midwest and were prominent society members in St. Louis. This car was kept by the Mesker family till the 1980’s when it was donated to the St. Louis Museum of Transportation. The museum owned the speedster until 2005 when they sold the car at auction to a well-known St. Louis collector who owned it until last year.

This car has many period modifications and accessories including the original Kuempel Red-I-Kut two-man speedster body with its matching hood, radiator, radiator shell and full frame skirting. The chassis has rare Rajo “self steering" spindles, lowered (underslung) front and rear end assemblies using original pieces which I believe are Morton and Brett, and four, matching 30 x 3 1/2" House wire wheels.

The build of this car closely resembles the 1920s Secrets of Speed article by Murray Fahnestock ( Model T Speed Secrets: The Fast Ford Handbook pages 122-128) which discusses building a car with the Red-I-Kut body kit.

Like most Model T speedsters, the Ford chassis components are a variety of years. It has a 1915 block with the casting date of 7-14-15 and an engine number of 851802. It has a clear and current title and is titled as a 1915 Ford. The engine is stock, although when I had the lower cover off, I discovered it has a counterbalanced crank shaft.

This is a mostly original car that I do not believe has been disassembled since it was first built in the 1920s. At some point, the museum repainted it its current red color, but the insides of the body appear to be in original black paint. The inner wood structure is mostly original. The body is rock solid and tight. There are no rust or pitting issues on the body sheet metal or chassis components.

During the past year, the car has been mechanically freshened including new wiring, cables, 12 volt battery, fuel system cleaning, a rebuilt Holley "straight thru" carburetor, replaced timer, radiator cleaned and checked, (does not overheat or leak), rebuilt and rewired headlamps and tail lamp, new front end bushings, etc etc. It starts instantly without any fussing and when warm gives lots of "free starts". The engine seems to run well with no objectionable noises or problems. The transmission shifts smoothly and quietly. Tires are old Ward Riversides but very serviceable with good tread and hold air just fine. The desirable House wire wheels are very nice. It has the original, extended removable hand crank and a wrench for the wire wheels.

This is neat and rare car that could be used for a variety of events including HCCA tours or vintage racing. Authentic, period-built Model T speedsters are few and far between and those that exist are rarely offered for sale.

The price is 22,500.00 but would consider realistic full or partial trades for another Model T, a Model A or other pre-WWII automobile. I have over 100 detailed photos I can mail to seriously interested parties and would be glad to show anyone the car. It is located near Detroit, MI.

Please call 734-730-4274 or email directly at: motoringicons@hotmail.com for additional information. I DO NOT check PMs. Thanks.
Attachments
sp2.jpg
sp1.jpg
sp9.jpg
sp3.jpg
sp4.jpg
Last edited by GGZ on Thu Feb 04, 2021 6:45 pm, edited 14 times in total.


Topic author
GGZ
Posts: 713
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:00 pm
First Name: Guy
Last Name: Zinnanovich
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 touring, 1915 Speedster
Location: Detroit
MTFCA Number: 51236

SOLD: Original, Authentic and Rare, 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

Post by GGZ » Tue Oct 13, 2020 8:55 pm

More photos....
Attachments
sp13.jpg
sp12.jpg
sp17.jpg
sp16.jpg
sp19.jpg
Last edited by GGZ on Thu Feb 04, 2021 6:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.


Topic author
GGZ
Posts: 713
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:00 pm
First Name: Guy
Last Name: Zinnanovich
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 touring, 1915 Speedster
Location: Detroit
MTFCA Number: 51236

SOLD: Original, Authentic and Rare, 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

Post by GGZ » Tue Oct 13, 2020 9:07 pm

More photos and period information. The Kuempel Hardware company still exists in Iowa.
Attachments
sp18.jpg
sp21.jpg
sp10.jpg
sp7.jpg
sp5.jpg
Last edited by GGZ on Thu Feb 04, 2021 6:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.


Topic author
GGZ
Posts: 713
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:00 pm
First Name: Guy
Last Name: Zinnanovich
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 touring, 1915 Speedster
Location: Detroit
MTFCA Number: 51236

SOLD: Original and Rare 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

Post by GGZ » Tue Oct 13, 2020 10:18 pm

A few more pictures...
Attachments
sp28.jpg
sp27.jpg
sp26.jpg
sp25.jpg
sp24.jpg
Last edited by GGZ on Thu Feb 04, 2021 6:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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FreighTer Jim
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Post by FreighTer Jim » Wed Oct 14, 2020 5:57 am

Good write up 👍

Elegantly Simple 🧐


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ModelT46
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Re: For Sale or Trade: Original and Rare 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

Post by ModelT46 » Wed Oct 14, 2020 1:35 pm

Mr. Kuempel moved to Minneapolis when he retired. His daughter, Audry McGreagor financed his business of making kits to build "Grandfather clocks". The business was located near Excelsior, Mn where I have my store. The company, Kuempel Clock Works, cotinued long after he passed away. A granddaughter was part of the business before it was sold to two investors, It closed up about 8 years ago. There are few speedster around that were built with Keumpel kit bodies. This one is one of the best. I do notice that the springs and trans cover are later than 1915. The chasiss was probably built up in the 1920s from various avaviable parts, as most speedster were.


ModelT46
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Re: For Sale or Trade: Original and Rare 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

Post by ModelT46 » Wed Oct 14, 2020 1:40 pm

The hardware store in Gothenberg Iowa is the Kuempel Hardware and was, at least, when we visited there 20 years ago, owned by an Keumpel who was related to the one who made the kits.

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Henry K. Lee
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Re: For Sale or Trade: Original and Rare 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

Post by Henry K. Lee » Wed Oct 14, 2020 8:27 pm

Guy,

Nice write up! Should not last long at your asking price.

All the Best,

Hank

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Henry K. Lee
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Re: For Sale or Trade: Original and Rare 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

Post by Henry K. Lee » Wed Oct 14, 2020 8:28 pm

Guy,

Nice write up! Should not last long at your asking price.

All the Best,

Hank


Topic author
GGZ
Posts: 713
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:00 pm
First Name: Guy
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 touring, 1915 Speedster
Location: Detroit
MTFCA Number: 51236

SOLD: Original and Rare 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

Post by GGZ » Fri Oct 23, 2020 4:00 pm

Thanks for the nice complements. There is some serious interest in the car but it is still for sale.

Although I have heard of other Kuemple Red-I-Kut speedsters, I have not seen any evidence of actual surviving original cars or bodies. If anyone knows or has real proof of any more out there, please let me know or, better yet, post pictures.

The Kuempel Hardware Store in Guttenberg, Iowa still exists. On their website, they say they have been a family business since 1900.

https://kuempelhardware.com/about-us

It was still owned by a Kuempel family member until 2018 when he sold the business to another local business owner. That's pretty amazing to have a family run, small business for over 100 years! Here is an article about his retirement.

https://apnews.com/article/4ff56702a75d ... f863bec534
Last edited by GGZ on Thu Feb 04, 2021 6:47 pm, edited 2 times in total.


Topic author
GGZ
Posts: 713
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:00 pm
First Name: Guy
Last Name: Zinnanovich
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 touring, 1915 Speedster
Location: Detroit
MTFCA Number: 51236

SOLD: Original and Rare 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

Post by GGZ » Fri Nov 06, 2020 3:14 pm

Still for sale or possibly trade.

Here is a neat article and a really great website for speedster enthusiasts:

https://www.classicspeedsters.com/blog/ ... -speedster
Last edited by GGZ on Thu Feb 04, 2021 6:47 pm, edited 2 times in total.


Ron Mac
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Re: For Sale or Trade: Original and Rare 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

Post by Ron Mac » Fri Nov 13, 2020 11:24 pm

What a great looking car with a well documented history. Real speedsters are very few and far between. This is a true collector's piece and I bet it is a blast to drive.


Topic author
GGZ
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Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:00 pm
First Name: Guy
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 touring, 1915 Speedster
Location: Detroit
MTFCA Number: 51236

SOLD: Original and Rare 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

Post by GGZ » Thu Dec 03, 2020 11:56 am

Hi Ron- Thanks for the nice complement. Lots of interest but still for sale...or maybe trade.
Last edited by GGZ on Thu Feb 04, 2021 6:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.


Topic author
GGZ
Posts: 713
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:00 pm
First Name: Guy
Last Name: Zinnanovich
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 touring, 1915 Speedster
Location: Detroit
MTFCA Number: 51236

SOLD: Original and Rare 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

Post by GGZ » Fri Dec 18, 2020 8:29 pm

Price reduced to 19,750.00. I've got too many red speedsters!
Last edited by GGZ on Thu Feb 04, 2021 6:48 pm, edited 2 times in total.


EricMac
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Re: For Sale or Trade: Original and Rare 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

Post by EricMac » Fri Dec 18, 2020 11:06 pm

I can't believe this didn't sell the first hour it was listed. Using Guy's own words there are a lot of good Ts out there but only a few great ones. This is a real deal upper echelon car that would make anyone proud. I wish I had room for it.
1913 Touring
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Stynoski 2006, Nash, Franklin, Lincoln, Cadillac and Buick owner emeritus

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Henry K. Lee
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Re: For Sale or Trade: Original and Rare 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

Post by Henry K. Lee » Sat Dec 19, 2020 6:39 pm

I second, third and forth that Eric! Not many of that caliber or come available! Too many in my collection or I would be on it.

Hank


Topic author
GGZ
Posts: 713
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:00 pm
First Name: Guy
Last Name: Zinnanovich
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 touring, 1915 Speedster
Location: Detroit
MTFCA Number: 51236

SOLD : Original and Rare 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

Post by GGZ » Fri Jan 08, 2021 7:29 pm

Thanks for the nice comments. There has certainly been a lot of interest but it is still for sale.

I think I'll reduce the price to 18,750.00.
Last edited by GGZ on Thu Feb 04, 2021 6:48 pm, edited 2 times in total.


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Re: For Sale or Trade: Original and Rare 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

Post by Loftbed » Mon Jan 11, 2021 1:53 pm

Is there a video of this car (running and driving)? I might be interested in a trade using viewtopic.php?f=4&t=18023

Rod
:D
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Topic author
GGZ
Posts: 713
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:00 pm
First Name: Guy
Last Name: Zinnanovich
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 touring, 1915 Speedster
Location: Detroit
MTFCA Number: 51236

SOLD: Original and Rare 1915 Kuempel Red-I-Kut Model T Boattail Speedster

Post by GGZ » Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:26 pm

UPDATE: SOLD 2/4/2021

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