MTFCA Forum

I am searching to buy a 1917 Coupelet(two of the three models that year, but preferably the rounded back soft cornered roof, one is pictured below, or either the traditional flat roof, also a pic below, just like the 1918) or a 1918 Coupe. All three of these models in those two years have the removable pillars(removable door posts as some say). I have ZERO interest and I repeat ZERO interest in anything else. I want what I want and I will either get it or get nothing!!!

As far as condition of what I want, I want an assembled complete car. I have ZERO interest in a disassembled car no matter if you have all the parts or not. Since I know these cars bring more than some others since there seemingly is fewer of them, I actually would prefer the car not to be completely pristinely restored, since I want the car to drive around every week. I know some people will say you can do that with a pristine car, but trying to explain here that I would like the car I get hopefully to have a nice look, but not a new car look since the car will be over a hundred years old. If you have a pristine restored car for sale, I will consider it though.

Since I know I am searching for something that probably will be difficult to find, at least that someone might sell, the car doesn’t necessarily have to run, although I prefer that it does. A little bit of a “project car” is fine, here again, as long as there is a complete assembled car. I have ZERO interest in getting a car that is scattered across someone’s garage that would fill up the bed of your pickup and probably a wagon behind it full of boxes and cans of parts, disassembled body parts, a chassis, and wheels.

PLEASE and I sincerely stress PLEASE don’t think you can convince me to buy your disassembled or scarcely incomplete car, I have ZERO interest, well unless it is FREE and then I would just try to muddle my way through it…

Again, I want what I want and I will either get it or get nothing. I know it would be almost a miracle to find a car I am describing quickly, but I am willing to wait until I do, wherever it is.

If you have such a car for sale and/or know where one is for sale, PLEASE contact me via my personal email below or my home phone, but preferably don’t POST that info here since I have had someone buy a car right out from under me by acting on info posted here from my previous ad before I could.

Just FYI, I know Gator Gould has a disassembled 1918 Coupe listed on here – NOT interested, doesn’t meet my criteria. Herbie(Paul C.) has some 1918 parts/pieces listed on here – NOT interested, doesn’t meet my criteria. There is the 1918 cab/trunk of a Coupe on eBay – NOT interested, doesn’t meet my criteria. Lastly, there recently was a 1918 Coupe listed on here from an ad on Facebook. That car is no longer for sale. I won’t mention by name since I don’t have their permission to, but I have contacted already every owner on this Forum that either had listed here on their profile as owned or still has any of the three car models from 1917/1918, and none wanted to sell what they had at this time.

Much Thanks for your reading time and any assistance in helping me acquire what I want!!! Walt Wise

I can be reached through this site's email or PM messaging system.

Okay Model T lovers...I would bet my last dollar that someone has one of these that has been sitting in a garage and hasn't even been cranked in the last year or even longer. Make me happy and sell it to me - I will drive it every week!!!

Good luck with your quest Walt. It wonderful that you have the means to realise your dream and purchase the Model T of your choice. Sadly for you, perhaps some of the best examples left of the car you want are displayed in museums and will be there forever. I hope your are able to find one. in serviceable condition and you can enjoy it. I will watch this post with interest as perhaps I will post a similar add one day for a 1915 or 16 Coupelet which is my dream Model T.

Now I know there is a car out there somewhere that meets my criteria?!!! If you aren't going to love it by cranking and driving it around, let me do it!!!

Okay, guys and gals, there sure are a whole lot of views here and not a single nibble yet - call or email??? There were over 22,000 of these cars made in 1917-1918. I am not trying to "corner the market" on these cars, I just want one. Someone please make me happy?!!!

Walt, your best chance at finding what you want is to buy something else. Buy a nice 1917 standard coupe, and your 1917 #1 driver class 1917 couplete will turn up about the time you get the paperwork done on the standard coupe... and it will probabably be a a "must sell" and right across town from you!

Isn't that the truth!

There were, as far as I know,there were no 1917 "standard coupes." The sales brochures called these autos "couplets". In 1918 they were called coupes.

The 1919- 22 (and some 23) Model T coupes were similar and are what we could call a "standard" coupe. My father owned one new in 1922 and I once owned a 1923 one that was the 1922 syle body tat was used well into 1923.

We all have a dream car. What we do not want is a nightmare car. I have owned both over my almost 90 years.

An illustrated Ford ad for 1918 referred to the 1918 coupe as "coupe". The picture shows a nearly flat-topped 5 window 2-door closed car with removeable pillar. The 1918 coupe model looks quite different compared to the 1917 coupelet, which is quite stylish.

Sorry...but need to stay at the top so I will be sure to be seen - still searching!!! Some one has to have a car(fitting my criteria) for me somewhere?!!!

Well...I guess I am looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack, but I am hardheaded, so I will just have to keep looking!!!

It's out there. Cars come out of the woodwork. Something that was suggested to me that worked was going through old issues of Hemmings. I called someone who advertised what I wanted 10 years previously. It had not sold and the guy even honored the advertised price.

Must be seen, so move me to the top Please!!!

If you’re really serious, start reaching out to individual MTFCA & MTFCI chapters and see if you can place a free “want ad” in their PRINTED newsletters. This is a nice forum, but it doesn’t reach the vast majority of T owners.

I must be fishing with the wrong lure, not a single nibble yet of an assembled car. Back to the top Please!

Looking for such a coupe that is for sale is like looking for the real number 2 Model T.

Walt. Lure is good. Your just fishing in the wrong pond! Put ads in MTFCA and MTFCI publications. Vintage Ford and Model T times. Hemmings. face Book model Ts. Antique Automobile Association and a few others that come to mind. Yes! Your are looking for a rust free needle in a wet hay stack. In the mean time. if You don't own a model t. get one. Have fun driving. tinkering and touring with it till Your dream T rolls in.
Good Luck!

Don't want to be lost at the bottom, take me to the top PLEASE!

I just remembered that RM sold a 17 or 18 Coupelet (I don't remember which) about 20-21 years back at their Auburn fall sale. I almost bought it but wound up with my first '26 Touring instead. It's a heck of a long shot but might be worth finding out where that car wound up. Just a thought. I remember at the time it was a car that looked to be in good driving condition and was complete.

Well...looked at both years auction results, saw a lot of beautiful cars, but no 17 Coupelet or 18 Coupe. Probably just as well, since there were some high priced rides that sold!!!

Seems like I can find everything but what I want - very frustrating! Take me to the top PLEASE, so I won't be lost on the bottom!

Just like the W in my name, always close to the bottom of the list, so to the top PLEASE!!!

Walt. right now there are only three people looking at this cars for sale ad page. fifty five on general discussion page. and 31 on parts for sale. top or bottom doesn't matter much if only three folks are on board. right lure wrong pond.

Want some cheese with that beverage?
I dont know where you are getting the specs on this add's activity, but I see 2021 views & 24 replies.
That looks like a lot of activity on a free ad.

Not matter how the topic is sliced I agree that it would be wise to broaden the scope of your search by considering different platforms. Conversely, I greatly admire your laser focused approach to the exact car you want. Likely you won't be satisfied until you find the car you are looking for. Personally, it is driving me nuts that I remember the car you want. I saw it. I touched it. I opened doors, crawled under it and so on. Now...where is the crazy thing?

Mr. Eric, I wish you knew where it was too!!! I possibly might have misread or interpreted your previous post incorrectly, because I looked through all the sales of the RM Sotheby's Auburn Fall Auction for the years 2020 and 2021. It was hundreds of cars and various parts lots too, but no 1917 Coupelet or 1918 Coupe in any of those two years. Now if you meant 20-21 years ago literally, I could not find those sales back that far.

I am DONE buying cars that are not what I really want - been there, done that, so I am laser focused on what I want and will NOT buy anything else!

ericmac wrote: ↑

Thu May 26, 2022 10:36 am

Not matter how the topic is sliced I agree that it would be wise to broaden the scope of your search by considering different platforms. Conversely, I greatly admire your laser focused approach to the exact car you want. Likely you won't be satisfied until you find the car you are looking for. Personally, it is driving me nuts that I remember the car you want. I saw it. I touched it. I opened doors, crawled under it and so on. Now...where is the crazy thing?

Eric,

Did you get my email about the individual, that I believe we both know, in northern Michigan, that at least had what I recall as a '17 Coupelet at one time?

What you want is some's treasure. It probably is owned some one who has spent "sweat and tears" to bring it to the standard you want. Why do you not want to do what others have done before you - restore a so-so T to the perfection you want.

Jerry, I did some checking and it appears the car we are thinking of has been sold off. While I know the general location it is not for a public forum. I'm going to keep looking. Walt, in the meantime, I would think about an ad in Hemmings. A car will turn up.
Eric

Just to reiterate, if the car isn't like one of the two pictures in my initial posting at the top, I have ZERO interest in it!!!

Walt Wise wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 02, 2022 6:05 pm

Just to reiterate, if the car isn't like one of the two pictures in my initial posting at the top, I have ZERO interest in it!!!

Yes, I believe we get it... You reiterated that at least 10 times in your initial requirements.

Be patience Walt.., I looked for 3 years and found the 1966 Volvo 122s with all the options in your neck of the woods just 3 weeks ago. I waited and found.., 66,000 original miles, never re-painted, etc. Hang in there BABY!

Hank

See...there you go Mr. Hank!!! Stick to "your" plan, don't settle, and get what you really want!!!

Sorry...but need to stay at the top so I will be sure to be seen - still searching!!! Some one has to have a car(fitting my criteria) for me somewhere?!!!

Henry K. Lee wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 02, 2022 9:11 pm

Be patience Walt.., I looked for 3 years and found the 1966 Volvo 122s with all the options in your neck of the woods just 3 weeks ago. I waited and found.., 66,000 original miles, never re-painted, etc. Hang in there BABY!

Hank

Pictures please As I know Sir Roger Moore (James Bond) drove a 1967 Volvo P1800 S

SO many views, yet not ANY leads! Sorry, but getting pushed too far down, so back to the top Please!!!

Here Walt I will bump you up to the top

Too far down to get any views, so take me to the top Please!!! Still hoping to find at least one good lead!!!

I advertised in hemming two times for cars I wanted and had good results.

Walt,
When I started looking for a Model A with specific parameters it took two years to find a match, but it did happen. When I looked for a Model T with specific parameters it took almost two years before I found it. I discovered the Model T by looking carefully at the pictures of a car that did not match the parameters, and realized the owner had listed it incorrectly. There might be one you are looking for out there that has the wrong text around it and you just have not found it yet.
....Good Luck....
PS...A friend of mine find an old Corvette that was listed as a Corvair... he was quite pleased.

It's getting harder and harder to stay at the top with all the cars for sale, but sadly for me, not what I am looking for. Still hoping to get at least a lead on what I want....

There is also: https://hcca.org/Classifieds/classifieds.php?want https://forums.aaca.org/forum/34-model-t-and-older/
Just cut and paste your original post from here with a title.

It absolutely astounds me that with over 5000 views now, I don't have a single lead on a car by placing this ad. Yes there are other publications that I could put ads in like Hemmings, but after spending hundreds of dollars over the years with them, I have yet to find the car or car parts I was looking for at the time. I guess I am still betting that one day this ad will bring me some luck, so at least take me to the top since it sure won't be seen at the bottom!!!

I have tracked these cars for over 40 years since i own or have owned both 15 and 16 coupelets and i am aware of less than five surviving examples of the car you seek. Your best bet is to find those owners and ask to be notified when they wish to sell. Your quest may take decades, not days.

These years and these closed car coupe body styles were not desired back in the 1950s to 1970s and when the wood fell apart no one took the time to rewood them. The coupe bodies almost always were just thrown onto the large piles of rusty T Ford body tin, where from which they were never retrieved. Too much work to fix.

Walt. Before You find one you could probably have built one from a 1917/18 chassis. plans for the wood are available and maybe even wood kits. Hope you get your dream T one way or the other.

As I told you Walt when we spoke, get yourself an original 15 or 16, whatever you desire, and have Ray Wells build you a body. By the time Ray builds the body you could have finished restoring the undercarriage, have the body paint done, do the upholstery and ready to drive. Only you and god know if it is original or not. Just a thought. Frank

Novice wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 29, 2022 5:50 pm

Walt. Before You find one you could probably have built one from a 1917/18 chassis. plans for the wood are available and maybe even wood kits. Hope you get your dream T one way or the other.

Who is going to form the steel body panels for him? Not impossible, but...

STILL looking, but it sure doesn't look like I am going to find it here...

Here you go;

https://www.ebay.com/itm/122951164925?h ... Swd4tT~~4X

This mere portion of a car on Ebay:

"https://www.ebay.com/itm/122951164925?h ... Swd4tT~~4X"

DOES NOT meet my criteria in my initial original ad at the very top. I specifically mentioned this "mere portion" of a car in that initial original ad.

I AM NOT WAVERING on what I want. I want ONLY a complete car. I will either get a complete car or I will get nothing. At some point, someone will sell one and it is my hope that if it is what I am looking for and I am lucky enough to get to the seller first, maybe I will get what I desire?!!!

If you live long enough. Maybe 150 ?

So we all have to look at this for the rest of our lives. I'd say if this gets to 100, you owe us all a beer.

I'd say that eBay body is worth jumping on. Obviously the price is crazy but shoot, but a restored coupe or Runabout, have the Coupelet body restored, mate the two and you are done in a year. Just my 2 cents worth.

I am not sure it matters much anymore, but I am getting very few views toward the bottom, so back to the top Please! If you have already read and viewed this ad, NOTHING has changed since my initial ad at the very top. ALL that information is still pertinent.

For those that don't know, you don't have to even open the thread to see the last post - unless it is a long post, then you would have to open it to see it all. Simply hover the cursor over the thread title. You would have to open the thread to see any replies between the first and last reply though, which I assume "some" people like to read...

Lastly, I will buy anyone a beer that wants to stop by my house in Georgia! I enjoy meeting other Model T enthusiasts!!! Help me find a car and we can discuss something more than a beer!

Walt. You might consider going to the Hershey swap fest Oct 4-7 and OCF at Greenfield village September 8-11. do some networking. press the flesh. pass out flyers with photos. Spread the word in person about the 1917/18 you are looking for. Networking is the best way to find what you want. Every one here on the form has read your WTB many many times and would be glad to help you if they could. You Need to expand your search. Maybe you could bum a ride to OCF with Steve Jeff. Good Luck

P.S. A $1000.00 finders fee. If you buy the car would go a long way toward motivating folks to find one for you. Like a wild west wanted poster. with a bounty.

You better buy the one Gator has before I do and part it out!

It doesn't get any closer to what you are asking for than the wide track being offered. My friend, either y I u want it or you don't.

"You can lead a horse to water. But you can't make Him drink"

That's a Centerdoor Sedan.

RajoRacer wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 29, 2022 11:04 am

That's a Centerdoor Sedan.

Thank you Steve

You are most welcome ! Centerdoor only has that large oval window.

Walt. BIG Hershey car show next week. Press the flesh. Pass out flyers for your dream car you never know. It's kinda like the lottery. If you don't play you can't win. Good Luck

Last min thing I found myself at an auction in VA last week where there were a few model T's I found this too late to share as it had already crossed the block. I was just picking up for a freind.

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/13 ... rd-model-t

I believe it sold for 3200

Walt,

I may have a lead for you. Check your email...

Well...unfortunately for me, neither of the two possible leads on the two posts just above turned out to be the year or either the model in the year 1917 that I wanted. I REALLY appreciate those that are trying to help me, but I am looking for a VERY specific 1917 Coupelet or a 1918 Coupe. PLEASE everyone, in my FIRST post above on the start of this thread, in that ad are two pics of the two different cars I am looking for. If you know of a 1917 Coupelet or 1918 Coupe and it doesn't look like one of those two cars in that ad, I have ZERO interest. I am not interested in ANY Coupelet with a fold back top whether it is a 1915, 1916, or 1917, well unless you are giving it away, and I doubt that. I DO NOT like the fold back top!!! Everyone has an opinion, but to ME, a Coupelet with a fold back top and the windows down, almost looks like a roaster or runabout - NOT exactly, but similar. I don't like that, I like the stationary either humped back top of the 1917 Coupelet or the flat top 1918 Coupe, plus just those two years with the removable pillars. I have ZERO interest in a 1919-1923, since those years did not have the removable pillars or either any 24-27 Coupe.

It is REAL simple to me, I want what I want and will ONLY buy that or get nothing. I have ZERO desire in anything else! Please excuse all the CAPS here, but just trying to get my message across for those wanting to help me to understand. I get it, there are not a lot of the two cars I am wanting that have survived, yet there are some that are not in museums(where those will probably never be cranked again or hardly even rolled) and are owned by people that right now just aren't selling. My HOPE is that at some point, if I am still alive and haven't given up wanting one, that someone might sell me one...

Thanks again for your reading time and hope you can understand!!! Walt Wise

Walt,

I really hope you find what you're looking for. However, your search reminds me of a story. I hope you won't be offended by it. Long ago, an Irishman was lamenting the sufferings of the potatoe famine. Going on about how he and his family would surely starve to death. A well meaning passerby suggested that perhaps the fellow should try eating some corn. The Irishman stated, "You know, I've never really been fond of corn. I'll stick with potatoes."

A true Irishman would never stoop so low as to "eat corn". Blasphemy!

Petrah Phyre wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 30, 2022 10:39 am

A true Irishman would never stoop so low as to "eat corn". Blasphemy!

That's great. My grandfather, who immigrated from Belgium, would never eat corn either. "Pig's food!"

Sorry for the thread drift... back to the search...

Good Luck, sorry for trying to help.

Bob Middleton is selling a beautifully restored 15 couplet body right now.

Thought you found one. I got the hogs head for it in my shop now bushing it right now. Dan

Where else are you getting the word out? There are only X number of people that even look at these forums, so that segment in comparison to Model T's out there is incredibly small.

How about that..... One just listed for sale in the classifieds a few hours ago!!!

schwabd1 wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 08, 2022 11:19 pm

How about that..... One just listed for sale in the classifieds a few hours ago!!!

He already knew about that one. It was NOT what he WANTED!

This is the 1918 style Coupe Walt is looking for. Zooming into the photo one can see the brackets for removing the B pillar and that the door hinges are below the belt line of the body. No, it is not for sale. George

Walt -

I sent you a private message.

A couple of days ago, I got a tip from a member on this forum about an ad of a 1918 Coupe for sale in the Horseless Carriage Gazette. Unfortunately for me, this was yet another disappointing car for sale that is NOT a 1918 Coupe. I talked to the owner(Mr. Rex Tinnin) yesterday and his car does not have the removable pillars, basically no half door(how I describe it to some people who don't know these cars well). My guess is the car is most probably a 1919 and was sold late 1918, but really a 1919, or possibly even newer. It has a starter/generator, plus a newer(27) engine. This car is restored by Mr. Tinnin and he has had it for about 50 years or so - just FYI for those that might be interested in calling him about the car. I will not post his number here since I didn't ask him for permission to, so if interested, get the number from his ad in the Horseless Carriage Gazette.

Mr. Erik Johnson also sent me a PM last night on this same car and I really appreciated the tip, but since I figured others may see this same ad in the Horseless Carriage Gazette, I should just let everyone know that I have already researched this car and it is NOT one of the ONLY two car models, just like in my initial ad at the very top, that I am looking for - nothing else!

Thanks again to ALL those that send me tips of possible leads to one of the two cars I am looking for. It is really greatly appreciated!!! Although I want the car I am looking for sooner rather than later, I will wait to get what I want or will get nothing. Like the saying goes, "close, but no cigar". PLEASE realize, the car I am looking for only has to please one person - that is me!!! Walt Wise

I hope you have seen the 1917 Coupet for sale on this forum Cheers Colin

Colin Mavins wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 01, 2022 6:59 pm

I hope you have seen the 1917 Coupet for sale on this forum Cheers Colin

He has...

Everyone wants to help Walt! Myself included. But some people can't be helped! and haft to figure it out them selves if they live long enough.

I just read through this thread. It’s amazing that so many people have tried to help with leads and advice. I know this forum is invaluable for finding cars, parts, how-to and contacts. What’s more amazing is how ungrateful and rude the OP has been to the members just trying to help. I’m seriously unsure why anyone would continue to even try.

I don't see how Walt's been ungrateful or rude. He is just very specific about what he wants and won't settle for anything that is not that. He may need to wait a long time, but I suspect he will eventually get the car he desires. Good luck, Walt.

^^ I agree! He wants what he wants not whatever is currently available. Not rude; direct and to the point when people point out coupes fs that are not the one, or argue he won't find what he wants. Super cool car he's looking for too, they look great with that B pillar removed!
Keep on searching Walt, keep on posting leads people! Stay positive everybody!!

That's an interesting take on this topic. I don't find Mr. Wise to be rude at all. He was 100% specific in his initial post as to what he is looking for. He knows it will be difficult to find what he wants. While there have been a number of suggestions or tips they aren't what he wants. He's merely pointed that out. I don't find that rude at all. Just my 2 cents worth. Keep the faith Walt.

Like I said. Walt Can't be helped! He will need to walk this walk by himself until He finds His vision of the ideal 1917 Model T. and that's why He can't be helped. no one can have the same vision of His perfect car except Him. Thanks to all for trying. That's what Model T folks do.

My 2 cents worth maybe less.

If such a Model T exists, mid should not be in a orivatre collection, but at the Henry Ford or the T Musuem inm Richmond, so every one can enjoy seeing it.

Such cars do exist. Russ Furstnow has one he has started restoring. A friend of mine has one, which he is not interested in selling. Walt needs to keep looking for the car he wants. He does not want a coupelet with a folding top. He wants a 1917 or 1918 with a solid top and removeable door posts, which is an uncommon Model t. They do exist, though.

Mr. McGowan said it all for me and I REALLY appreciate that!!! It is exactly, precisely, and meticulously what I have tried to convey MANY times before in this ad!!! Continue to feel free to comment all you like, it just keeps my ad hovering more at the top to get more attention. My decision of what I want is NOT going to change... soooooo the search continues!!!

Too far from the top again, so as my search continues for the same car as my initial posting at the very top of this ad describes!!!
Thanks for your reading time!!!

Walt Wise

Too far from the top again, so as my search continues for the same car as my initial posting at the very top of this ad describes!!!
Thanks for your reading time!!!

Walt Wise

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/de ... 83766.html
Is this finally it? Listed in Hemmings. Looks to me to be the right thing. Good luck.

LOOK'S Great! But it is not solid black like the one in Walt's photo. To quote Walt.

"I want what I want and I will either get it or get nothing"

Walt,

What say you???

Mr. Landy, I have sent you a private email.