Fair Market Value - Model T's and Parts

Mike in NRN IN

Mike in NRN IN

Senior Member
Excuse my intrusion. I normally post on the Model A Forum and only occasionally scan the T forums.

I have been asked by a very dear friend to help with assessing her late husband's collection of Model T's and wide assortment of parts. Before his passing, he had once before been 'taken' by an unscrupulous 'appraiser' and she does not want to go through that again.

Is there a way to find reputable appraisers by state?

I know he has 5 complete and running Model T's (mainly early 20's) and numerous bodies, chassis and running gear.

I appreciate any and all assistance the Fordbarners can provide.
 
Mike, post them on here seperatly and let us the buyers appraise them.? Just a thought. Location has a lot to do with prices in my opinion, but thats me talkin thru my hat. Monte
 
I sold ten heaping pick-up loads of parts and engines for a lady here in lower Michigan. An unrestored sedan and a speedster project. She walked away with about $16,000. Not the greatest parts in the world either, just a few jewels here and there. Lots of heavy iron. I did 90% of it on the evil ebay. The auction format determines the value for you.
 
Ebay might be a good place to track selling prices. I do mean "SELLING" prices. Take some time to watch and see what cars that are about equal to what she has and see what they sell for. You do not need to tie yourself to only selling in your neck of the woods eather. There are several options for transporting cars across country and they would be at the buyers expense. I think most appraisers are out of touch with the real world, just watch Antique Road Show (my OP).
 
Mike, I'll be in the Northern Indiana area working next week if you want me to look at this stuff and give you a general idea of what the lady has. I live in Indy and cover Indiana and Michigan with my job. Contact my email in my profile and we can talk.

The auction thing works great for moving stuff fast. Prices vary according to the weather, date, crowd, etc... Plus you have the auctioneers commission rates that range from 15 - 25% on up. Ebay would probably get highest values but involves a lot of time listing stuff, listing accurately, boxing up, shipping, etc... Also dealing with individuals regarding payments, questions, shipping expenses, ending auctions early and all the other stuff that comes up, which takes someones time also.

Let me know if I can help.
 
What can I say. An interesting collection and most of the metal looked to be in pretty good condition. There are more images and our church men's group is going to help with cleaning / sorting / securing and storing the contents.

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This "T" last ran in 1992 - the engine still turns freely and the oil looked good. The lower hose cracked and the radiator is empty.

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This is NOT a Model T -

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All of the running gear and engine parts are stored in boxes below the chassis. I am not sure what this is, but the widow thought it was a Buick.
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most of what i see is 26 27, first 26 27 tudor, then a parts 26 27 coupe, then a parts 26 27 fordor, then a kinda restored 26 27 tudor and then what ever it is buick? looks like a good little auction sale, be gone in one day that way,
 
Mike,Just a short note to see if the lady has decided what avenue she is taking in selling the Model T"s and parts. Just curious. Im needing a pair of 27 coupe doors if there are any extra. I can be reached at stingradriver@yahoo.com. Thanks for your consideration,Sincerely West Schimmel
 
I would love to have that first sedan. I know of a guy that might be interested in the coupe.

Something else to consider is wether or not the cars have titles or if she is willing to get title for them. For someone like me in OH that is very important and the state does not accept a bill of sale.

Another thing to consider is if she wants to get what they are worth or if she just wants them out of her way without loosing her butt. If she is willing to hold out she will find the right buyer that will give closer to what she is looking to get.

E bay also now has a best offer option. That would allow you to put a price up that she wants for the stuff and then someone can make a offer that she can choose wether or not to accept.
 
Last edited:
Jack Innes said:
I think you will find that the "Buick" is a 31 Chevrolet. The shock absorbers make it a 31 rather than a 30, the green/blue cowl, the trunk lid and doors with a lot of lumber involved would indicate it was a coupe. You can see the rear quarters & back of the body there as well.

If you are a woodworker this would be a very attractive car when done.

The whole collection would be better represented if someone familiar with Ts could piece the different cars together in groups of parts.

When I was looking at the pictures I knew instantly that it wasn't a Buick, having had a few of them of that era myself. Was muttering to my wife that it was a Chevy for sure. I thought it was a '30. Forgot about the '31 shocks.
Click to expand...
 
The suggestion on getting titles in order is a very good one that will benifit both seller and buyer. As far as an appraisal.. there is a jewelry store that advertises here with a " guarantee" that their jewelry will "appraise at double" the sale price. Just what do you think that an appraisal on these cars or appraisals in general are really worth!!! The only true assement of the cars value would be a auction type sale that has a good exposure to the Model T market over a large area not your local clearance auction house. Ebay has its shortcomings but does " fill the bill".
 
If there was to be a Auction....in the spring,and there has been No Cherry Pickin.I would probley make a road trip.
Wick
 
There are many types of buyers for this stuff...

Those that buy because it's cheap.

Those that buy because they know the prices of stuff and can make a buck.

Those that buy because they see themselves owning it.

And those that buy because they "just can't live without it".

Then you have sellers...

You have those that are unrealistic with their pricing.

Those that need to get as much for it as they can.

You have those that know what they have and know what it's worth and are in no real hurry to sell.

You have those that make money off of stuff... and their pricing is reflected in how much they paid for it.

You have those that just want to sell things they don't need anymore.

And then those that just want to get rid of stuff.

Pretty interesting to watch how all these people's paths cross. :D

Sam
 
I would sell most of this stuff on the "Barn". Any done cars I would sell on ebay.

Yes I too instantly knew that was a 31 chevy motor and that should be sold on the vcca forum.

Ebay costs approx 12% to sell on, including paypal. When it comes to a complete car, the price is a set 125.-145. to list and sell. Ebay is a lot of work, but certainly worth it on higher priced items, but not so much for plain jane parts.... my opinion and I ebay a lot.
 
I see about $6-8K in all the pics, on a good day. Not to sound negative, but Model T stuff just doesn't fetch a whole lot. Now, if it was an early brass T or even Model A, that would be a different story. (I own a 26 T.)
 
The condition of the loose stuff might be a problem. Alot of it looks beat. The interior shown is nicely done but not correct for the car. It will probably be mentioned by a prospective buyer in an effort to low ball the price. (he probably won't change it but I bet it'll be mentioned!) I believe that car could easily go in the 4 to 5 grand area.
 
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