What year should be your first car?

R

Roger1927

Junior Member
Hi
I am getting back into the restoration hobby again. I am retired now and need something to do besides collecting coins. When I was a teenager in the the 1960's, my dad and I restored two 1928 model A's. Both were rough, but we got them going and one we got on the road - then I turned 17!!

I always wanted a Model T and am now getting sick of reading Model T books - over and over again. My question is:

What's the best year to start with your first car, etc.

Thanks. Gang
Roger
Rwbiller@hotmail.com
 
For a first time T owner...an older...and more t experienced friend said...just stick with anything with a starter! So that is exatly what I have stuck to...and he was pretty smart about it.
 
Roger, I do not know what size you are, but if you are on the large size, I would say, stay away from 1926/27.
I am 6'3" and find the 26/27 cars the most uncomfortable of all model T Fords.
1919 was the first year of the starter, so anything thru 1925 would be a good first car.
 
Hi
Thanks for the comments - I am 6-3 and a starter car should be for me. I did not know the 26-27's had less room. Looks like a 23-25 - but I like the 22 coupe with it's suicide doors!
Roger
 
I prefer the 26/27 coupe or roadster due to the lack of wood. Door and body wood of the earlier years will drive you crazy unless you have had previous experience trying to fit pieces together. Not a good choice for the first timer. Top wood and a little bit of window wood is quite easy on the 26/27 coupe. The rest is metal work, and the quality and thickness of the steel is good. I am 6-1 and have no problem in a coupe. Seats were lowered and set back in the 26 coupe and there is room to adjust it slightly. Parts may be a little hard to find due to the 2 year production, but they produced over 1.5 million autos. Just my opinion, good luck in whatever you choose.
 
It's definitely a question to be pondered. For the most part the mechanics are all the same. Body style is a definite consideration. I wouldn't jump right into a center door. There weren't that many made and repair work farther down the road on the transmission and coils requires a lot of contortions. Tire size? One man top or two? Closed car or open? Show car, driver or drivable survivor? Join a local club before you buy. Do some networking. Find out what your resources are. What's your budget considerations. Brass T? Black T? And so on. I started out with a '21 touring. I'm taking my time and driving it as I go. It was an old restoration that has had the crap drivn out of it. But everytime I lay a wrench on it, it gets better., And there's nothing like taking it for a drive and not always having to wait for some major rebuild to be made that can be done during the winter months. Having done a couple frame-off restores has caused me to believe I want to work on them and drive them and not spend the next 3 years doing a ground up and wishing I could drive the thing. But that's just me. I'll guarantee whatever road you take you'll have a great time with it. Enjoy!
 
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