Exceptional older restoration. Ideally set up for touring and show events. Beautiful paint, top, and interior, very correctly done. Starts easily, runs and drives properly, and very well maintained. A wonderful Model T for the guy who intends to drive!

All Model Ts are not equal, and there’s certainly a hierarchy within the Model T community. This 1917 Ford touring is the most iconic of all Model T body styles, all wrapped in a handsome Henry Ford black package. It’s a nicely done restoration that’s a few years old, which is remarkable by itself—the quality stands up. The standard black paint is glossy, the bodywork is straight and well-adjusted, and the many details, from the electric headlights to the single taillight hanging out back, are all in excellent condition. The cowl lights are still kerosene-fired and there’s a useful Boyce Moto-Meter on the radiator, an accessory from another era. There’s also a useful toolbox and luggage rack mounted to the driver’s side running board. One bonus of owning a ‘teens T is that there’s no brass to polish and no chrome to deteriorate, so the car will always look great with a quick wash and a coat of wax. Talk about a low-maintenance hobby car!

The interior is basic black as well, with a pleated and button-tufted seat that looks a few years old, not a few decades. There’s a correct rubber mat on the floor that isn’t brittle and cracked, and the door cards are in excellent condition with no warping or moisture damage. The beautiful wood-rimmed steering wheel feels great in your hands and makes this T feel agile on the road (yes, we’ve driven it!) and the controls are, well, just what you’d expect if you’re familiar with a Model T’s idiosyncrasies. Turn the key and you can hear the coils buzzing, which means it’s ready to fire if you get the gas and timing just right. Give it a quick pull or two, and, if you did things properly, it fires to life without much drama. Ease the parking brake forward to engage the transmission and you’re off! The view from behind that massive windshield is commanding in traffic, which certainly helps build confidence and it feels far quicker than it is from the driver’s seat. Overhead there’s a beautifully fitted black top that almost looks new and the car includes a full set of side curtains for inclement weather.

Mechanically, there’s not much to go wrong on the Model T. The engine is the same rugged, reliable 177 cubic inch inline-four that powered them all, and by 1917, they had all the bugs worked out. Set the spark and throttle levers properly, pull the crank, and this one springs to life easily and quickly without much fuss. It idles with that characteristic Model T soundtrack and it makes enough power and torque to make the roadster feel nimble and sprightly around town. Cosmetically, the engine bay is quite correct, with basic black engine enamel, correct cloth-wrapped spark plug wires, and a standard updraft carburetor. It also has a water pump, something the earlier Ts were missing but probably needed and a welcome upgrade for today’s world. It starts so easily and runs so well that it would make an ideal partner for Brass-and-Gas tours and once you master the operation of the quirky controls, you’ll find that this one really does run and drive well. The transmission doesn’t slip and it’s a lot quieter than most of the Model Ts we’ve experienced with only a muted whirring sound coming from within. Handsome restored wood spoke wheels are correct for the era and wear older blackwall tires, which give the Model T an all-business look that we find very appealing.

Model Ts have long been a staple of the old car community and they continue to have enthusiastic proponents of all ages. This touring car is beautifully restored, totally sorted out, and ready to enjoy, yet still very reasonably priced. Go find another recently restored Model T roadster in excellent condition for under $20,000. We suspect you’ll have a hard time finding more quality per dollar than this little Ford. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.