Good Morning...First "Average Joe's" automobile rolls off the line

[Okla-homey]

Sept. 24, 1908 : First Model T is completed

http://aycu15.webshots.com/image/29534/2000780911361642742_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000780911361642742)
Henry Ford and his "Everyman's Car."

99 years ago today, The first factory-built Ford Model "T" was completed at the Piquette Plant in Detroit, Michigan, just one more step in Ford's affordable revolution.

It is generally regarded as the first affordable automobile, the car which "put America on wheels"; some of this was because of Ford's innovations, including assembly line production instead of individual hand crafting (though the Oldsmobile Curved Dash had done this first), as well as the concept of paying the workers a wage proportionate to the cost of the car, so that they would provide a ready made market.

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Affectionately known as the "Tin Lizzie*," the Model "T" revolutionized the automotive industry by providing an affordable, reliable car for the average person.

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Ford was able to keep the price down by retaining control of all raw materials, and by employing revolutionary mass production methods. When it was first introduced, the "Tin Lizzie" cost only $850 and seated two people. At the same time, competing cars cost $2000-$3000.

The Model "T" had a front-mounted, 177 in (2.9 L) four-cylinder "en bloc" motor (that is, all four in one block, as common now, rather than in individual castings, as common then) producing 20 hp for a top speed of 45 mph. The engine had side valves and three main bearings. According to Ford Motor, the Model "T" had fuel economy on the order of 13 to 21 mpg.

Interestingly, the engine was capable of running on gasoline or ethanol though the decreasing cost of gasoline and the later introduction of Prohibition in the United States made ethanol an impractical fuel.

http://aycu14.webshots.com/image/30053/2000754117163638538_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000754117163638538)
Model "T" Depot "Hack"

By 1914, the assembly process for the Model T had been so streamlined it took only 93 minutes to assemble a car. That year Ford produced more cars than all other automakers combined.

The Model "T" was a great commercial success, and by the time Henry made his 10 millionth car, 9 out of 10 of all cars in the entire world were Fords. In fact, it was so successful that Ford did not purchase any advertising between 1917 and 1923; in total, more than 15 million Model "Ts" were manufactured, more than any other model of automobile for almost a century.

For some reason, the follow-up was the Ford Model "A" and not the Model "U." 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.

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In 1924 and after 16 years of selling Model "T's," Ford ceased Model "T" production and introduced the Model "A" seen here.

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*cf, "Thin Lizzie." A 1970's Irish band which recorded the rock anthem, "The Boys Are Back In Town."

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[olevetonahill]

Aw Homester Ya done good . Brings back fond memories of My DAD . He was a model T fanatic .
He had rebuilt several in his life. The last one was a 1921 "depot hack" very similar to the one you pictured . Hed drive the damn thing everywhere .
dad was born in 1918 , He got his 1st T model at the tender age of 12 . couldnt (legaly) drive it so he tore it apart and put it back together again.
Mom sold it after his death in 92 .
I still have a 31 model A in the shop that he was rebuilding when he died .
Good storey and thanks fer the memories.

[olevetonahill]

Oh dad traded a bicycle for his first one :)
Anyone ever try to drive one of the damned things ? Id venture to guess that theres maybe a handfull of oldtimers left to can do it .

[Preservation Parcels]

Good one, Homey.

My father said that when his uncle decided he was too old to drive his Model A any more, he offered his to all the relatives. Nobody wanted it, so Uncle drove it to the dump and walked home. Dad said there wasn't a thing wrong with it.

Dad also sold a perfectly fine '57 Chevy Bel Air because we "needed" a station wagon.

Does anyone else regret the "one that got away?"

[Mongo]

Does anyone else regret the "one that got away?"

My pops owned a '66 Impala 396 SS. Sold it for a Datsun.

I wish he would have kept it, so he could have passed it down to me.

This car falls into the same category as Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, and Babe Ruth baseball cards.:mad: hindsight is 20/20

[olevetonahill]

Just a FYO the model Ts As arnt worth as much as folks would expect . Cause see Like Homey said Henry made so daym many of em.
that theres still a **** load out there

[47straight]

Fix Or Rebuild Daily ;)

[royalfan5]

Good one, Homey.

My father said that when his uncle decided he was too old to drive his Model A any more, he offered his to all the relatives. Nobody wanted it, so Uncle drove it to the dump and walked home. Dad said there wasn't a thing wrong with it.

Dad also sold a perfectly fine '57 Chevy Bel Air because we "needed" a station wagon.

Does anyone else regret the "one that got away?"
My parents traded a 1979 Formula Firebird for a 1982 Dodge Aries when I was born because they had trouble getting my car seat in the back. My mom is still kind of upset about that, especially in light of the fact that Firebird is the reason they met.

[Okla-homey]

My parents traded a 1979 Formula Firebird for a 1982 Dodge Aries when I was born because they had trouble getting my car seat in the back. My mom is still kind of upset about that, especially in light of the fact that Firebird is the reason they met.

Heck son, you might even have been conceived in that Firebird. ;)

[olevetonahill]

Heck son, you might even have been conceived in that Firebird. ;)
Homey ! shut yo whore Mouth !No way Im claiming another 1 :eek:

[royalfan5]

Heck son, you might even have been conceived in that Firebird. ;)
It was probably in my Dad's trailer. My parents were big enough people that I think the space required and the space available would have been inadequate for conception.