1917 Ford Model T - Barn Find

1917 Ford Model T Additional Info:

This Model T Ford is a true "barn find". This car was stored away in a barn in the California Central Valley around 1965. The owner recently passed, and the car was brought to Reno by the family for storage. Now the family has decided to let it go to a new home with the hope it will find its way back onto the road which was the dream since the 1960’s.
This 1917 Ford Model T has the engine serial number of 1798573 as shown in the photos along with a cast date of 3-26-17 and assembled right at the end of March of 1917. Everything on the chassis is correct for the 1917 model year like the front and rear axles, engine, transmission, Steering column, muffler, brackets, frame, and so on. The engine turns via the crank, so it is not frozen. I can see no damage to the block or head. The carburetor looks complete and correct for the chassis.
The car has had some obvious modifications done to it prior to being stored in the barn. The body, radiator, hood, cowl, as well as the front fenders looks to have been borrowed from an earlier model year like a 1915 or 1916 to convert it into a touring car. The rear fenders appear to be correct for 1917 as they are domed rather than the flat style. I believe this car is an example of “when you lived on a ranch, you made repairs with what you had, even if it was from an older car”. That was one of the design benefits of the Ford Model T, almost every year fit every other year car.
Besides just the car, there is a pile of additional car parts (mostly Model T) included in the sale. The photos show two additional front axles, a large drum rear axle, several small drum rear axle halves, front spindles, wheels, rims, several different year transmission covers (one aluminum), additional engine block, several oil pans, steering tube and shaft, and additional miscellaneous parts along with what looks to be some Model A and other make parts and body tin belonging to who knows what.
(If you are not interested in any, or some, of the body, front fenders, hood, and radiator, we can discuss a trade of the tin on the car for another Model T chassis, as I could use the tin for a project I’m working on. But wanted someone to have the opportunity to purchase the car as it came out of the barn).
TERMS OF SALE: PLEASE READ.•Any potential buyers are encouraged to personally inspect this automobile and/or send a 3rd party to inspect the vehicle prior to bidding or purchasing.•All items are being sold as-is and where-is. There are absolutely no guarantees or warranties of any type including but not limited to: mechanical condition, originality, history, overall condition, mileage, etc etc etc•This vehicle is being sold with a bill of sale. A complete bill of sale and sales agreement will be issued to the buyer from the seller.
PAYMENT•Payment in full must be received within 7 business days of completion of sale unless otherwise agreed upon.•A NON-REFUNDABLE deposit of $500.00 is required to end this listing and must be paid through PayPal.•All payments are completely non-refundable. Buyer is responsible for transport and removal of all items.•Seller/Owner agrees to store items for 30 days from the date of this contact. Additional storage can be arranged upon request.•By making any bids towards these items, the buyer is agreeing to these terms.•Buyer becomes responsible for these items upon payment of all funds however seller/agent agree to store these items in a secure facility until buyer can arrange removal...•No items will be released until the agreed full amount is paid in full.•Removal and transportation of these items is the full responsibility of the buyer.