This is a nicely done TT, ready to go! I assume the seller, VOLO AUTO MUSEUM is reputable.
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/ford/model-t/2024918.html?refer=alert
At $11,000 this TT is fairly priced.
I guess “fairly priced” is a matter of opinion. So, is “work done”. This truck
has a lot of issues if a buyer wants a stock or period correct vehicle. I see a
whole bunch of cutesy that is a long stray from what Ford built. The canary
yellow paint would take a whole lot of work and money to undo. The bed/
box lacks any overhang, giving it a chopped-off look. Being made of cedar
(VERY soft wood), expect it to shake itself into kindling with any use. The
description says “no rust”, but the lower rear area of the body sides (where
rust is always a problem) is inexplicably covered up with more cedar. What’s
up with that ? The box cab was introduced in 1925, but the ad calls it a 1922.
The pedals are 25 and earlier. The missing firewall was replaced with modern
plywood and left raw. And the covering of the cab interior with tan vinyl ???
This is just my take on how to approach an old car purchase of unknown
history: They are all skeletons. A collection of parts that may or may not
function and may or may not turn the buyer’s crank. I do not think I am
being presumptuous in believing most buyers want a reliably starting, functioning
vehicle that has acceptable looks and performs in ways the buyer wants.
From the point of purchase, it is an adventure of work and money to take
it from as-purchased condition to as-desired. The distance between these
two points has an infinite number of variables. To MY way of thinking about
a TT truck, this is not the look I want, and no mention is made of the present
gear ratio - is it a 7:1 gear set and 20 will be top speed ? Was the engine/
transmission meticulously balanced ? These two items are going to cost an
owner half again the asking price to achieve. I won’t even touch the cost of
taking that body down to metal to lose the Big Bird look. The bed, … to
replicate something similar in white oak or other suitable hardwood … just
the wood alone will run $1K before a saw is turned on. The cowl lamps are
not correct. $300 will buy a correct pair. What else needs money spent ?
I think a person would be money ahead to start with something closer to
correct and do it right, than to pay a big price to own someone else’s latter
day idea of what a parade truck should look like. But then again, if this sort
of rig turns a buyer’s crank, then maybe it is very close to the as-desired end
goal and it is a “fair price”.
This truck is a dream to a purist like yourself who just loves to pick things apart to show how much they know about T’s. I respect you purists for keeping accuracy and history alive, but no where does the seller claim this is an original truck.
The seller does claim, “great restored driver” and “Engine rebuilt”. I don’t know the Volo Auto Museum or its reputation, but rather than picking the truck apart here why don’t you call them and ask them.
I say that a great restored driver TT is worth $11,000. Obviously it is not worth it to someone who does not like the color, like any other vehicle.
I bet if you heard gunfire you would run towards it instead of away from it.
I agree completely. If both trucks were priced the same I would take this other one, regardless of the price:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1927-Model-T-truch-TT-truck/222691385459?hash=item33d970e073:g:H-0AAOSwEOpZ7zn5&vxp=mtr
You are correct about running toward the gunfire. Semper Fi, Do or die ! I did
not spend 3 years in AFG learning to run away from the gunfire !!! 
Here’s the fall down … the word “restoration”. As I define “restoration”, it means
returned largely or entirely to its original state. Not refurnished, not rodded or
anything else.
Now, for argument’s sake, more TT’s were likely to be painted non-black colors
than cars back in the day, as many were put to commercial use and business colors
and lettering were part of the deal.
But I am FAR from a purist, and far from all-knowing about these things. I got
my first T just three years ago, and while I pay attention and try and learn what
is factory correct, I am a long way from being any sort of guru. Further, I am not
interested as much in factory perfect (and I abhore the whole car show/judging
scene) as I am in period correct presentation. In other words, something that
would be commonly seen in the years before WW2.
And frankly, latter-day parade rigs like this are perfectly fine. Not my bag, but
some people dig them. The point is, this vehicle is NOT restored. It is not even
nicely done. For $11K, I would expect something done to a higher level of “nice”.
That’s all. Lots of TT’s go begging for a caring owner for 1/5th this price. The
balance of $11K would go a LONG way toward making a project truck a very nice
truck.
I would like to add that I really appreciate the scanning for, and posting of
these for sale ads. All good intel. I don’t mean any of this to be argumentative.
Just open discussion of various viewpoints and observations on a commonly
appreciated topic. This is supposed to be fun, and I would really like to see
this site pick up some more conversation.
Quote from the listing, “great restored driver”. It is a driver. Mechanically done, ready to go. It does not claim to be a museum piece or restored to original, and the pictures tell the story. This is a great truck for someone who wants a driver and does not have the time or inclination to do the mechanical work on a truck that they intend to drive.
I don’t want to split hairs with you, Tom. There are other terms
like “refurbished” and “fixed up” that mean what this truck is. Yes,
it is a driver, and perhaps a fine driver at that. But “restored” has
a very specific meaning, to return to original condition, and this
truck is definitely not that.
BTW - great catch on the TT in St. Maries. At $4000 less asking
price, it is 10x the truck.