Okla-homey
9/24/2007, 06:22 AM
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.
http://aycu05.webshots.com/image/29164/2000716387177514637_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000716387177514637)
Affectionately known as the "Tin Lizzie*," the Model "T" revolutionized the automotive industry by providing an affordable, reliable car for the average person.
http://aycu30.webshots.com/image/26669/2000760708734244316_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000760708734244316)
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.
http://aycu03.webshots.com/image/27562/2001357823457746846_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2001357823457746846)
In 1924 and after 16 years of selling Model "T's," Ford ceased Model "T" production and introduced the Model "A" seen here.
http://aycu20.webshots.com/image/28819/2000786530892942951_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000786530892942951)
*cf, "Thin Lizzie." A 1970's Irish band which recorded the rock anthem, "The Boys Are Back In Town."
http://aycu36.webshots.com/image/28915/2000757130974067750_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000757130974067750)
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.
http://aycu05.webshots.com/image/29164/2000716387177514637_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000716387177514637)
Affectionately known as the "Tin Lizzie*," the Model "T" revolutionized the automotive industry by providing an affordable, reliable car for the average person.
http://aycu30.webshots.com/image/26669/2000760708734244316_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000760708734244316)
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.
http://aycu03.webshots.com/image/27562/2001357823457746846_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2001357823457746846)
In 1924 and after 16 years of selling Model "T's," Ford ceased Model "T" production and introduced the Model "A" seen here.
http://aycu20.webshots.com/image/28819/2000786530892942951_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000786530892942951)
*cf, "Thin Lizzie." A 1970's Irish band which recorded the rock anthem, "The Boys Are Back In Town."
http://aycu36.webshots.com/image/28915/2000757130974067750_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000757130974067750)