out of the parts.

Jumping at the opportunity, the boy soon assembled a running chassis. While it didn't have a body, fenders, or a seat (he sat on the gas tank), it was enough of a car for the determined lad to learn how to drive around the farm--and a Model T fan was born. In 1945, Rasmussen bought his first complete Model T for the paltry sum of nine dollars. He was just 13 years old.

Fast forward to 1969 and the purchase of Rasmussen's current Model T. He had already owned a total of seven over the years but was always on the lookout for another one. While attending a Veteran Motor Club meeting, he heard about a 1917 Model T sitting in a barn near Durand, Michigan that was for sale. After several failed attempts to purchase it, he finally took ownership on 27 October 1969, paying $930 for the non-running Tin Lizzie. No, the odd selling price was not due to rounds of high-pressure negotiations.

Caption

Clockwise from top left: Classic Ford script from the top of the radiator; passenger-side headlight; the Model T was powered by a 20-horsepower engine displacing 176 cubic inches; license plate showing the original date of registration, 1917.