This Model T was the very first automobile in Richard L. Burdick’s collection, and has remained a favorite in the fleet now for almost four decades.

In 1979, Mr. Burdick was attending a petrochemical conference, representing Thermon, the heat-tracing equipment company that he had established in 1954. In attempting to sell more of his products to one Sam Aubrey, he learned that Aubrey simply did not have room, as he had a Model T taking up space in his warehouse. Mr. Burdick visited and traded five rolls of Thermon heater cable for the car, which became the first automobile in the Central Texas Museum of Automotive History, established the following year. When the original Rosanky museum was shuttered and many of its cars sold, the Model T was one of the few long-term denizens of the collection moved to the new facility, Dick’s Classic Garage in San Marcos.

Aside from having the front fenders repainted in the 1980s, the Model T is essentially otherwise original and unrestored, as would be expected from a car that lived much of its life in the dry Texas climate. The balance of its black lacquer paint is original, as is the very well-kept cloth interior, preserved under clear plastic covers to prevent damage, and much of the interior trim and hardware.

Offered now from nearly 40 years of continuous ownership, this is a final-year Model T with superb history and unusually outstanding preservation. The new owner can only hope to equal Mr. Burdick’s record of care!