How many Model T Fords still exist?
There are roughly 15,000 to 20,000 Model T Fords believed to survive worldwide today, with the United States accounting for the largest share. Exact counts are uncertain and continually evolving as cars are rediscovered, restored, or reclassified.
This article explains what counts as a Model T today, how experts estimate the total, and where these vehicles are most commonly found, along with the implications for collectors, museums, and car clubs.
What counts as a Model T today
Definition and scope matter when counting survivors. Most registries and clubs focus on cars produced between 1908 and 1927 that retain the essential Model T chassis, engine, and running gear, often with period-correct bodywork. Some catalogs include accurately restored or authentically documented rolling chassis and complete cars, while heavily modified or non-original replicas are generally excluded from formal tallies. The line between a “Model T” and a later, significantly altered vehicle can be blurry, which affects exact counts.
Global estimates and regional distribution
Estimates vary because many cars are in private hands, non-public collections, or unregistered. The following overview summarizes the commonly cited ranges and regional patterns.
- Global survivors are commonly estimated at roughly 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles, including roadworthy cars, restorations in progress, and museum pieces.
- The United States hosts the largest share of these surviving Model Ts, with thousands of examples in private collections, clubs, and museums.
- Europe, Canada, Australia, and other regions hold a substantial but smaller portion, with counts ranging from hundreds to a few thousand in total.
Because many cars are privately held or not logged in public registries, the global total should be treated as a working estimate rather than a precise census.
How counts are tracked and validated
Estimating the number of Model T survivors relies on a mix of formal registries, museum catalogs, and market records. The following methods are commonly used to assemble the best available totals.
- Registries maintained by clubs and organizations dedicated to the Model T, such as the Model T Ford Club of America and international equivalents, which track known, registered vehicles and ongoing restorations.
- Museum catalogs and loan registries that document vehicles in public collections and traveling exhibits.
- Auction results, insurance databases, and historical records that identify surviving cars that entered public markets or were re-listed after ownership changes.
- Public showrooms, car shows, and regional gatherings where participants register participating vehicles, helping to estimate active and roadworthy counts.
These methods collectively produce the best available estimates but cannot capture every car worldwide, especially those held privately or in regions with limited record-keeping.
What this means for collectors and museums
For enthusiasts, the approximate total underscores both the car’s enduring legacy and its rarity in a modern context. Clubs emphasize authenticity and documentation, while museums value clean, well-preserved examples that illustrate the Model T’s place in automotive history. The ongoing discovery and restoration of surplus stock and abandoned projects can shift counts, but the Model T’s legacy as a mass-produced pioneer remains firmly intact.
Summary
In short, researchers and registries place the worldwide surviving Model T population at about 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles today. The United States holds the majority, with meaningful numbers in Europe, Canada, Australia, and other regions. Counts are approximate because many cars are privately owned or not formally cataloged, and the total continues to change as restorations progress and new finds come to light. For collectors and institutions, these figures highlight both the abundance and the enduring value of the Model T as a historical icon.
Is the Ford family still rich?
Yes, the Ford family is still very rich, largely because they maintain control over Ford Motor Company through a special class of stock that gives them 40% of the company's voting power, as reported by CNBC and Forbes. While individual net worths fluctuate, prominent members like William Clay Ford Jr. have amassed billions, and the family's combined wealth is substantial, making them one of America's wealthiest families, according to MSN and WSAV-TV.
- Family control: The Ford family controls 40% of the voting power of Ford Motor Company through a special Class B stock, which allows them to effectively control the company even with a minority ownership stake, explains this Reddit discussion.
- Wealth sources: The family's wealth is rooted in the Ford Motor Company, founded by Henry Ford, and is also derived from their ownership of the NFL's Detroit Lions.
- Individual net worth: Individual family members have significant wealth. For example, William Clay Ford Jr. has an estimated net worth of around $1 billion, and his mother, Martha Firestone Ford, had a net worth of $1.4 billion in 2019, notes Forbes and lovemoney.com.
- Collective wealth: The family's collective wealth is substantial, with Forbes reporting a combined net worth of $2 billion in 2015 for the family and WSAV-TV reporting a combined net worth of $267 billion in early 2024.
How many miles per gallon did a Model T get?
A Ford Model T typically got 13 to 21 miles per gallon, depending on driving and road conditions. While some enthusiast claims suggest higher mileage, this range reflects the general fuel economy achieved during the vehicle's production.
- Official range: Ford Motor Company stated the Model T achieved fuel economy of 13 to 21 mpg.
- Varying factors: The actual mileage varied significantly based on driving conditions, such as driving on smooth roads versus dirt roads, and whether the car was going uphill or on a flat surface.
- Enthusiast experiences: Some Model T owners and enthusiasts report higher mileage, sometimes claiming around 25 mpg, particularly with specific modifications, while others report as low as 12 mpg or even 7 mpg on difficult terrain.
How much would a Ford Model T cost in today's money?
The price of a Ford Model T in today's money varies depending on the year and condition, with a new 1908 model being the equivalent of around $28,000$ 28 comma 000$28,000, while a 1925 model's equivalent is about $4,500$ 4 comma 500$4,500. Collectors can expect to pay anywhere from roughly $11,500$ 11 comma 500$11,500 to over $66,000$ 66 comma 000$66,000 for a restored Model T today, with early, rare models potentially fetching higher prices.
Price based on original sale year (adjusted for inflation)
- 1908 model: Approximately $28,000$ 28 comma 000$28,000 today, based on an original price of $825$ 825$825.
- 1910 model: Approximately $26,322$ 26 comma 322$26,322 today, based on an original price of $780$ 780$780.
- 1925 model: Approximately $4,500$ 4 comma 500$4,500 today, based on an original price of $260$ 260$260.
- 1927 model: Approximately $6,684$ 6 comma 684$6,684 today, based on an original price of $360$ 360$360.
Current collector prices
- Good condition, average spec models: A 1920 or 1925 model in good condition typically costs around $11,117$ 11 comma 117$11,117 to $11,820$ 11 comma 820$11,820. A 1922 model is around $11,500$ 11 comma 500$11,500.
- Excellent condition: A Model T in excellent condition can range from $11,550$ 11 comma 550$11,550 up to $66,000$ 66 comma 000$66,000, depending on factors like restoration quality and year.
- Early, rare models: Some early models, like those from 1909, with their unique two-pedal system can sell for as much as $121,000$ 121 comma 000$121,000.
- Highest auction prices: The highest recorded selling price for a 1925 model at auction was $24,081$ 24 comma 081$24,081.
Why are Model Ts so cheap to buy?
The relatively low price was partly the result of Ford's efficient fabrication, including assembly line production instead of individual handcrafting. The savings from mass production allowed the price to decline from $780 in 1910 (equivalent to $26,322 in 2024) to $290 in 1924 ($5,321 in 2024 dollars).
