Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Impact of the Ford Model T
The impact of the Model T was staggering. This iconic motorcar put America on wheels. It was also produced internationally in Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Spain and the U.K. The classic Ford Model T created mass mobility, revolutionized manufacturing and production. This revolution, in turn, established the American middle class and eventually reshaped the country’s physical landscape with suburban sprawl. Over a two-decade run, 15 million Model T Fords were built, which is more than any other
car in history with the exception of the VW Beetle
The Early Ford Motor Company
In the 1890’s, Henry Ford was chief engineer at the Edison Illuminating Company of Detroit.In his personal time, Ford worked to design and develop gasoline engines.His first successful engine test actually took place on Christmas Eve, 1893. His wife Clara had to stop her Christmas cooking to help Henry pour gasoline into the engine as he fired it up for the first time. It only ran for 30 seconds, but Henry now knew he was on the right track.
He successfully developed a motor vehicle called the “Quadricycle” in 1896. It was made with Bicycle sized tires and had two speeds, and neutral, but no reverse. It weighed around 500 pounds. Almost a decade after his first successful test, he founded the Ford Motor Company on June 16, 1903.
Why is Ford's Model T Still Popular
The Model T was built by the Ford Motor Company from 1908 until 1927. Conceived by Henry Ford as practical, affordable transportation for the common man, it quickly became prized for its low cost, durability, versatility, and ease of maintenance. Around 15 million were built. After 1927, many Model T’s were destroyed and replaced by newer motor car models. Still, those
antique Model T automobiles that have survived for the last 100 years represent a classic piece of Americana and vehicle history. The ease of obtaining parts for a Model T makes it a popular car for collector restoration.
Why is the Model T sometimes called “Tin Lizzy”
The origins of the nickname “Tin Lizzy” are unknown. However there are multiple theories. The most common story is that of a race held in 1922; a championship held at Pikes Peak, Colorado. A man named Noel Bullock raced his beat-up Model T called “Old Liz. Spectators compared his car to a tin can and the Nickname “Tin Lizzy” was born. Surprisingly, Bullock won the race, and the newspapers spread the new nickname across the nation.