A Rare 1918 Ford Model T – A survivor that went from ferrying ammunition to eggs.

This 1918 Ford Model T Delivery Van has been entered for sale from a private collection. It is understood to have seen active service during WWI, ferrying soldiers, and briefly, ammunition, it survived well enough to be sold on as a delivery van in ‘civvie’ life. This very rare 104-year-old survivor is now for sale with H&H on October 19.

Known as ‘Lizzy’, this remarkable survivor was first road registered as ‘AB 6938’ by Worcestershire Council, in February 1921, to William McNeil who used it for delivering eggs.

‘The chassis of your ‘T’ was built at Trafford Park, Manchester, during the middle of 1918 (possibly July) for supply to the Military. Subsequently, it was bought as Military Surplus by The Slough Trading Company in April 1920 – one of the unidentified mass of vehicles ‘somewhere in Europe’.

It was repatriated and refurbished at The Slough Depot and sold through the trade in early 1921. At this relatively early stage of The Slough Company, it is likely to have been the van as you see it, and with only light damage or minor problems – they shifted the easiest to refurbish stock first in order to generate cash flow. This is further illustrated by the fact that you have a standard Trafford Park built Delivery Van with matching chassis and engine number (bulkhead plate)’ (Martin Riley, Librarian to The Model T Register of Great Britain).

It is known to have belonged to A. Butterworth of Bury Hall, Wolverley, a Ralph Hayes and then a Mr Hudson, before being bought by K. Knapton during 1977. Partially renovated in time to participate in the 1979 London to Brighton Commercial Run, ‘Lizzy’ remained in Mr Knapton’s possession until being bought by P. Chubb during 1991 who in turn sold it to P. Stroud four years later. Treated to an engine overhaul using parts supplied by Tuckett Bros during 2000, the Delivery Van was entrusted to The T Service Ltd of Oxon. in 2012 for a carburettor overhaul, new rear hub seals and attention to its handbrake etc.

Part of a private collection for the past four years, ‘AB 6938’ participated in The Model T Register’s 2019 Salop Sortie Tour but would now benefit from recommissioning. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document and a history file.