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Wikipedia: Ford Model T
Subtopics Model T Times Custom 1925 Ford Model T Speedster 
Page Sections Reference Desk History Documents Photographs Images Merchandise |
History
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Ford Model T page on 14 June 2016, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
The Ford Model T (colloquially known as the Tin Lizzie, T-Model Ford, Model T, or T) is an automobile that was produced by Ford Motor Company from October 1, 1908, to May 26, 1927. It is generally regarded as the first affordable automobile, the car that opened travel to the common middle-class American; some of this was because of Ford's efficient fabrication, including assembly line production instead of individual hand crafting.
The Ford Model T was named the most influential car of the 20th century in the 1999 Car of the Century competition, ahead of the BMC Mini, Citroën DS, and Volkswagen Type 1. With 16.5 million sold it stands eighth on the top ten list of most sold cars of all time as of 2012.
Although automobiles had already existed for decades, they were still mostly scarce and expensive at the Model T's introduction in 1908. Positioned as reliable, easily maintained mass market transportation, it was a runaway success. In a matter of days after the release, 15,000 orders were placed. The first production Model T was produced on August 12, 1908 and left the factory on September 27, 1908, at the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit, Michigan. On May 26, 1927, Henry Ford watched the 15 millionth Model T Ford roll off the assembly line at his factory in Highland Park, Michigan.
There were several cars produced or prototyped by Henry Ford from the founding of the company in 1903 until the Model T was introduced. Although he started with the Model A, there were not 19 production models (A through T); some were only prototypes. The production model immediately before the Model T was the Model S, an upgraded version of the company's largest success to that point, the Model N. The follow-up was the Ford Model A (rather than any Model U). The company publicity said this was because the new car was such a departure from the old that Henry wanted to start all over again with the letter A.
The Model T was Ford's first automobile mass-produced on moving assembly lines with completely interchangeable parts, marketed to the middle class. Henry Ford said of the vehicle:
I will build a car for the great multitude. It will be large enough for the family, but small enough for the individual to run and care for. It will be constructed of the best materials, by the best men to be hired, after the simplest designs that modern engineering can devise. But it will be so low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one – and enjoy with his family the blessing of hours of pleasure in God's great open spaces.
Reference Desk
The Crittenden Automotive Library's "Reference Desk" is a collection of materials that cannot be shared due to copyright restrictions. Information from these resources, however, can be shared. Go to the Reference Desk page for more information.
| Type | Title |
|---|---|
1969  Magazines | Model T Times by Model T Ford Club International; 2 issues |
| 1970 Magazines | Model T Times by Model T Ford Club International; 5 issues |
| 1971 Magazines | Model T Times by Model T Ford Club International; 1 issue |
| Date | Document Name & Details | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 1915 | Ford Manual For Owners and Operators of Ford Cars Ford Motor Company |  Topic Page - 94 pages |
| 1917 | The Model T Ford Car: Its Construction, Operation and Repair Victor W. Page, M.E. | Topic Page - 288 pages |
| Type & Item # | Name | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Model Kit AMT 31563 | Barris T Buggy | Buyer's Choice George Barris Custom Ford Model T  |
| Date | Article | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 27 August 1925 | NEW FORD CARS COMBINE 'EYE' AND SERVICE APPEAL Body changes, more pronounced than any made since the adoption of the model T chassis, and numerous changes in the chassis itself, were announced here today by the Ford Motor Company, with prices remaining unchanged. | News Article (text) Publication: Automotive Daily News Dateline: Detroit, Michigan  Topic: Ford Model T |
| 23 January 2011 | The Evolution of The Model T | William Jason |
| 14 August 2015 | How Do You Run Yourself Over? | Bill Crittenden |
| 28 September 2016 | Recognizing Hayes Manufacturing | Congressional Record: Sen. David Vitter |
