The Ford Model T may not be the first American car, but it was the first mass-produced American car. The Ford Model T was the brainchild of industrialist and businessman Henry Ford, who also founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903, and that's all you need to know about it.
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Ford's first car
The Ford Model T was the first car from the Ford Motor Company.. The T went into production on October 1, 1907, just four years after businessman and industrialist Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company.
The car of the first series.
The design of the Ford Model T evolved rapidly, giving way to more than 20 different iterations of the model, but it was the production process that really set the T apart.The production process evolved over the years, and on October 7, 1913, the first moving Model T assembly line began operating at Ford's Highland Park factory..
The Model T production process has evolved to the point of producing 2.1 million units per year.More than 15.0 million Ford Model T units were built during its 19 years of production.. Henry Ford wanted the production process to go as fast as possible to reach the milestone.
The Ford Model T was only available in black
The production process was oriented towards efficiency and uniformity, so even the painting process was optimized for speed. This is where Henry Ford's famous quote comes from:"You can be any color as long as you are black".
Only one other car would match the production numbers of the Ford Model T.
The production of the Ford Model T of more than 15 million units has been the record for mass production. It has only been surpassed by one other car, the Volkswagen Beetle, of which more than 21 million cars have been made. However, it took VW much longer to reach these numbers, as the original Beetle was built between 1938 and 2003, a production run of 65 years versus the Model T's 19-year production run, the record for most produced model per year.
Only one engine option
Henry Ford's Model T was only offered with one engine option during its 19 years of production.Ford's Model T featured a front-mounted 2.9-liter (177 cu in) inline-four engine producing 20 horsepower and 83 pound-feet of torque (113 Nm).. This ensured a specific power of an impressive 7 hp per liter. The Model T's engine sent power to the rear axle through a two-speed planetary gearbox, actually billed as "three-speed."
However, this also included reversing, which is no longer counted today.Depending on version, the Ford Model T had a top speed of 42 to 45 mph (68 - 72.4 km/h).. The T was also able to run the quarter mile in 25.3 seconds. In terms of fuel economy, Ford said the Model T can get from 13 to 21 MPG (18 to 11 l/100 km).
The first 2,447 Ford Model Ts featured engines with a mechanical water pump for cooling. After the 2500 unit, all models switched to thermosiphon action, with no need for a mechanical pump. The 2.9-liter engine could run on gasoline, ethanol, and kerosene. Ford also went the cheaper route when it came to the ignition system. It used a low-voltage magneto built into the flywheel, which supplied alternating current to the flicker coils, which in turn ignited the spark plugs.
Notoriously difficult to drive
Compared to a modern car, Ford's Model T almost feels like it will require a higher level of engineering to operate successfully. The controls are a hodgepodge of levers and pedals, scattered where there was room. To turn on the T, you had to check the fuel level with a dipstick, since it did not have a fuel gauge. The fuel tank itself is located under the front seat.
Checking the oil level is a bit trickier since the Model T does not have a dipstick. Instead, you need to find and unscrew the upper key from the pump casing (on the side of the flywheel). If oil comes out, there is oil, but if you unscrew the bottom one and nothing comes out, there is no oil. Checking tire pressure is the last step before starting the vehicle. On the Model T, they should be 55 psi. By comparison, most modern cars run on tire pressures of 25 to 35 psi.
Starting the engine of a Model T Ford
To start the car, the fuel switch (located in the engine compartment) must be in the "on" position. Fuel is gravity fed from the fuel tank through a single upflow carburetor. The controls are by far the quirkiest you'll see in any car.
There are three pedals on the floor arranged in a pattern similar to a gear shift pattern.. The right pedal is for the brakes. The center pedal is for reverse and works by pressing the pedal while the car is in neutral. The left pedal is the clutch, but it works in conjunction with the handbrake, which is positioned to the driver's left. Depressing the clutch and moving the shift lever to the middle position engages first (low) gear. Depressing the clutch again and moving the lever all the way forward engages second (high) gear.
There are two levers behind the steering wheel of the Model T. The one on the right is the throttle lever, which causes the car to idle in the top position. The more you move it down, the more you accelerate. The lever on the left side of the flywheel is for spark advance. Turning the T on the lever should be in the high position - retarded - and when the engine is running the lever moves down to advance the ignition.
While there is a manual crank, later examples of the Model T had a key like most cars until the 2010s. Earlier examples of the T featured a bobbin case where the lower center console of a modern vehicle would normally be found. . When turning the ignition key to the left, the coils begin to buzz, that is, they are active. Turning the key fully clockwise activates the magnets behind the motor. Next to the remote is an amperage gauge and to the right is a manual choke that provides a rich fuel mixture for easy engine starting.
Next to the remote is an amperage gauge and to the right is a manual choke that provides a rich fuel mixture for easy engine starting. To prime the Model T's engine, you must first manually crank the engine from the front while pulling on the external manual choke (a small metal ring at the bottom of the radiator).
Three cranks out of four are usually enough to prime the engine, but you must make sure the switch is in the "off" position or the crank connecting to the crankshaft could cause hand injuries.. Follow all of that and you should be good to go for a ride. The Ford Model T also has a horn that sounds like a bell.
One of the most iconic nicknames for a car.
Many older generations refer to the Ford Model T as "Tin Lizzie.". There are two theories that point to the origins of the nickname. According to the former, Lizzie was a common name for a reliable workhorse; back then, people still relied heavily on horses to pull heavy loads. Even today there are many analogies between a horse and a car, and as the car gradually replaced the horse and became made of metal, the nickname "Tin Lizzie" was born.
Another theory involves a certain Ford Model T that competed in a hill-climbing event that took place in 1922.. One of the drivers, Noel Bullock, raced her Model T, nicknamed "Old Liz". The car is said to look worn with no paint and no front hood. Viewers compared the "tired" T to a can, hence the nickname "Tin Lizzie". Against all odds, the Model T itself won the race. In the Pixar Cars movies, there is an homage to "Tin Lizzie", a Ford Model T named Liz.
The latest Ford Model T
The last Ford Model T rolled off the assembly line on May 26, 1927, after 19 years of production and more than 15.0 million units built.. This officially marked the end of Model T production and a special ceremony was held to commemorate the end of T production, marking the end of a great era for the American auto industry and the auto industry in general.
Ford Model T price then compared to now
In 1909, a new Ford Model T cost $825, which is equivalent to $25,721 in 2022. Just seven years later, in 1916, a Model T cost just $345, which is equivalent to $9,691 in 2022.
Given the historical significance of the Ford Model T, the car remains relatively affordable compared to other legendary classics. At the time of writing, the price of the Model T ranges from $14,000 to $26,000, depending on the trim. If you're interested in historical significance and heritage, the T is steel compared to multimillion-dollar Cobras or rare muscle cars in the six-figure price range.
When was the Ford Model T made?
How much is a Ford Model T worth?
Was the Ford Model T the first production car?
When did Henry Ford invent the Model T?
How much did the Model T cost?
What came after the Model T?
How much would a Model T cost today?
Does the Model T still exist?
How fast was the Model T?
Was the Ford Model T electric?
Did the Model T have a key?
How much is a restored Model T worth?
Why was the Ford Model T discontinued?
How do you change gear in a Ford Model T?
Why was the Model T called Tin Lizzie?
Frequent questions
Q: When was the Ford Model T made?
The Ford Model T was introduced on October 1, 1907 as the 1908 model year. It was in production for 19 years, with the last example rolling off the assembly line in May 1927.
Q: How much is a Ford Model T worth?
Depending on the version, a Ford Model T costs between $18,000 and $26,000.
Q: Was the Ford Model T the first production car?
Yes, the Ford Model T revolutionized automobile production by being the first car to be assembled on a continuous production line, allowing for much greater production efficiencies.
Q: When did Henry Ford invent the Model T?
Henry Ford invented the Model T Ford in October 1907, revolutionizing mass production.
Q: How much did the Model T cost?
Earlier models cost $825 in 1909. In 1916, thanks to numerous production optimizations, the price dropped to $345.
F: What came with the Model T?
In 1928, a few months after production of the Ford Model T ended, the Ford Model A was introduced. Its design was largely based on the later Model T, but with rounder shapes.
Q: How much would a Model T cost today?
Today, a Ford Model T costs between $14,000 and $26,000, depending on the model year and body type.
Q: Does the Model T still exist?
While it's hard to pin down an exact number, it's believed that at least 10,000 to 15,000 Model T Fords are still on the roads. Many are believed to be in museums or private collections.
Q: How fast was the Model T?
What does the T stand for in Model T?
Q: Was the Ford Model T electric?
Henry Ford really started with the Ford Model A. The letter "T" was the next letter in line after the numerous experimental prototypes such as the Model B, C, D, etc. The Ford Model A came next.
Q: Did the Model T have a key?
Depending on the version, the Ford Model T can reach between 68 and 72.4 km/h (42 and 45 mph).
Q: How much is a restored Model T worth?
No. The Ford Model T was powered by a 2.9-liter (177 cu in) inline-four internal combustion engine that produced 20 horsepower and 83 pound-feet. It could run on gasoline, kerosene and methanol.
Q: Why is the Ford Model T being discontinued?
Later versions of the Ford Model T had a key. However, they had to manually start the car from the outside as part of a multi-stage starting process.
Q: How do you change gears on a Ford Model T?
At current Ford Model T prices, a fully restored example costs around $26,000.
Q: Why was the Model T called Tin Lizzie?
Despite being the first production car, demand for the 1927 Ford Model T waned. This led Henry Ford to develop a new model: the Model A.
FAQs
What are three facts about the Model T? ›
Here are a couple fun facts about the much loved Ford Model T :) The Model T is nicknamed “Tin Lizzie”. The car's body is made out of wood covered with a thin sheet of metal. Ford employees were required to sign a contract that stated they had to buy a Model T as soon as they were able to afford one.
How many miles per gallon did the Model T get? ›rating of the Model T. 1908: Henry Ford introduces the Model T. The gasoline-powered car enjoys up to 21 miles per gallon (just six m.p.g. fewer than the average new vehicle sold today).
How fast could Ford make a Model T in the 1920s? ›It could go as fast as 40 miles per hour and could run on gasoline or hemp-based fuel. (When oil prices dropped in the early 20th century, making gasoline more affordable, Ford phased out the hemp option.)
What led to the mass production of the Model T? ›The moving assembly line introduced into Henry Ford's Model T factory revolutionized car production.
What made the Model T so special? ›The Model T was introduced to the world in 1908. Henry Ford wanted the Model T to be affordable, simple to operate, and durable. The vehicle was one of the first mass production vehicles, allowing Ford to achieve his aim of manufacturing the universal car.
What was unique about the Model T? ›Fashioned from vanadium alloy steel, it offered superior strength despite its light weight. It also featured a generous ground clearance that could take the worst roads, which made it particularly enticing to rural drivers. The Model T was the first Ford with all its parts built by the company itself.