The Ford Model T started the great history of the luxury automobile industry
The Model T was introduced to the world in 1908. Henry Ford wanted the Model T to be affordable, simple to operate, and durable. This car was one of the first mass-produced vehicles, allowing Ford to achieve its goal of producing mass-market automobiles. The Model T was produced on Ford Motor Company’s moving assembly line at Ford’s revolutionary Highland Park Plant. Because the car was mass produced, Ford Motor Company was able to sell the car for between $260 and $850 as Henry Ford passed on the production savings to his customers.
The Model T was first tested by Henry Ford himself, who drove the car on hunting trips to Wisconsin and northern Michigan. The Model T became famous for the stunts it could perform, including climbing the stairs of the Tennessee State Capitol and reaching the top of Pikes Peak. After testing its own product, the car was delivered to its first customer on October 1, 1908.
The revolutionary car had the steering wheel on the left side, allowing passengers to easily get in and out of the car. This car was also the first to have the engine block and crankcase molded into a single block, the first to have a removable cylinder head for easy access, and the first to have widespread use. A variety of lightweight but strong alloys are called vanadium steel. . The Model T’s flexible transmission makes shifting gears easy for everyone. These improvements and innovations allow the world to move towards a more urban lifestyle. The early Model T came with a kit, placed the fuel tank under the front passenger seat, offered a windshield as an option (before it was standardized) and had to be cranked to make it work.
A common belief is that all T models are black. Although Henry Ford said “Any customer can paint it any color he wants as long as it is black,” this policy was applied solely for efficiency and uniformity. The car was only offered in black from 1914-1925, however before and after, various models could be purchased in a variety of colors including blue, red, gray and green.
The car also became famous for its unique nickname – Tin Lizzie. There are varying accounts as to how the Model T got its nickname. Origins may include the popularity of the female name “Lizzie” during that period for the famous Model T race car named Old Liz. Despite the popularity of the Tin Lizzie nickname, the Model T still had dozens of nicknames.
The Model T was so famous that Henry Ford once said: “There is no use trying to pass a Ford, because there is always another car ahead.” In the early 1920s, more than half of the world’s registered automobiles were Fords. More than 15,000,000 Model Ts were produced and sold. In May 1927, a ceremony was held to honor the end of Model T production. It was the end of an era.
Even though the car is over 100 years old, its legacy still stands the test of time. The car had many new features that were unique at the time. The low price allowed more people to become Ford owners if they chose it and made Ford Motor Company a household name.