The Model T Turns 100

by Jordan Yerman | October 1, 2008 at 12:34 pm

950 views | 12 Recommendations | 14 comments

Maverick carmaker Henry Ford brought motoring to the masses with the Model T. Though we remember the car itself, the true innovation was the method of production: Ford is credited with inventing the assembly line, which has since migrated from automotive to electronics, and even to fast food. Far from just developing a car, Henry Ford reshaped the entire world economy.

Oct. 1 marks the 100th birthday of Ford's Model T — a car so affordable, it made automobiles necessities and launched American car culture. It's been quite a ride from there.

When he introduced the Model T Ford 100 years ago today, automotive pioneer Henry Ford commented in good humor, "The customer can have any color he wants, so long as it's black."

Named the "Car of the Twentieth Century" in 1999, the Tin Lizzie, as it was affectionately called, was built on the philosophy of innovation and availability. These ideals drove the production of the Model T and still continue to shape the automotive industry.

Unfortunately, it's the last time Ford was actually the number-one American automaker. The company has an unfortunate reactionary design culture, with most of their cars and trucks being so recognizable due to their unchanged styling.

Though currently stuck in the peak-oil quagmire along with other car manufacturers, Ford has branched into hybrid technology. So, while the auto giant has the distinction of providing the American public, and later the world, with affordable cars, there's no telling what the future holds for Ford.

The automaker has lost almost $24 billion over the past 2 1/2 years, shed more than 50,000 jobs and can't predict when it will make money again.

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mindtalk

at 13:32 on October 1st, 2008

A 1924 Ford Model T which has been turned into a hot rod - called a T-Bucket.
This Model T, owned by Todd Cherniak, was seen recently at a car show at the Volo Car Museum, Illinois.

mindtalk has contributed a photo to this story.

2fromPG

at 14:16 on October 1st, 2008

I saw this nicely restored Model T at the 2008 Cherry's Jubilee, Monterey, CA, this past September 5th. Popularly known as the biggest "oldies" party of the year, the wharf parking lot provides one of the best opportunities to walk and gawk during the Show & Shine at registration. Since the show involves mostly rod & custom, classic restorations of the old coupes and some exotics, I was surprised to see this "T" sitting there.

2fromPG has contributed a photo to this story.

chucky1_

at 14:36 on October 1st, 2008

My daughter was in the hospital and we happened upon these
old cars, had camera in hand and took some shots.
Wish I had known they were in Cape in advance, I would have taken more photos.

chucky1_ has contributed a photo to this story.

v8media

at 14:51 on October 1st, 2008

This Model T was at the 2008 Orcas Island, WA Car Show.

v8media has contributed a photo to this story.

photodad48067

at 16:37 on October 1st, 2008

This is a 1923 Model T Depot Hack. It was used to pick up passengers at local railroad stations and taxi the traveler to their destination.

photodad48067 has contributed a photo to this story.

donelson2

at 17:21 on October 1st, 2008

The Model T is credited as being the car that put America on wheels. This particular example was found at a hot rod show in the streets of Danville, California.

donelson2 has contributed a photo to this story.

Barry ORegan

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 18:21 on October 1st, 2008

jordan, I like this story. It's good stuff. Being a Car Nut, one wonders if they made a silent movies back then after the "Night Rider 1908" series. Fighting crime in a model T, with a mask and cape, breakneck speeds of up to 30 miles an hour. Scaring horse and buggy's chasing bootleggers, with buxom, but modestly dressed babes, showing just a hint of well turned ankle. People I bet would be lining around the block to see it. Especially if Monty Burns was the voice of Kit!

BoBoe53

at 00:38 on October 2nd, 2008

The picture of the orange number 11 racer was from my trip to the 2008 Old Threshers Reunion in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. I had to take a picture of this one because it was similar to one my grandfather owned when he was my age.

BoBoe53 has contributed a photo to this story.

neerod

at 06:33 on October 2nd, 2008

Both of these photos were taken at the Model T Automotive Heritage Complex in Detroit on Piquette -- also known as the Piquette Plant. More info at http://www.tplex.org/

neerod has contributed a photo to this story.

Rhonda J Mangus

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 06:43 on October 2nd, 2008

jordan, I like this story. It's good stuff.

mmmee

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 15:42 on October 2nd, 2008

jordan, I like this story. It's good stuff.

I hope the technology can go beyond hybrid to something simple like a solar cell that doesn't weight a ton, or a hydrogen fuel that would be more stable.

splattergraphics

at 20:53 on October 2nd, 2008

I shot this at the Liberty Cruisers' 19th Annual Rod Run at the Winfield Volunteer Fire Department.

splattergraphics has contributed a photo to this story.

rjoice07

at 05:52 on October 4th, 2008

This was taken at the " '50's Festival and Car Cruise" in Waynesburg, PA. The owner, for what I account, said it took him more than three years to restore the beauty.

rjoice07 has contributed a photo to this story.