Across the world, Ford is marking the 100th Anniversary of the Model T — the car that introduced motoring to the masses.
Last year in Richmond, Indiana, US, nearly 900 of these iconic vehicles were on display — probably the largest ever gathering of Model Ts. Edsel Ford II, great-grandson of company founder, Henry Ford, addressed the crowd at an opening banquet. The gathering transformed Wayne County Fairgrounds into what looked like a movie set for a motion picture depicting life in the early 1900s.
The Model T is one of the most historically significant cars of the 20th Century, and may be the single most important American car. Henry Ford realised there was a big market for cars — and not just for the wealthy.
The first production Model T Ford was assembled in Detroit in October, 1908. With the development of the sturdy low-priced car, Henry Ford made his company the biggest in
the industry.
15 million Model Ts
In a span of 10 years, Ford built 15 million cars with the Model T. Nicknamed ‘Tin Lizzie’, the Ford was probably the most important vehicle for social change in America. It helped transform the nation’s cities, enabling residents to move farther away, creating the first suburbs. The Model T was also embraced by farmers and rural Americans.
Henry Ford and the Model T changed US labour force, too. Ford raised wages to attract and keep workers at his factories. The popularity of the Model T even found its way into poetry, songs and movies, the latter most memorably in the comedy short films of Laurel and Hardy.
An early Ford publicity slogan introduced in 1906, and often strung across the roadway in the form of a wide banner which would attract a lot of attention, was ‘Watch the Fords go by.’
Henry’s T had several attention-grabbing innovations. The steering wheel and control pedals were on the left, a feature with far-reaching consequences because of the Model T’s ultimately huge production volume.
Up to the introduction of the Ford’s Model T in 1908, every other manufacturer had built right-hand drive. But within a few years, every auto-maker in the United States had followed Ford. Had Henry not decided to build his T Ford in left-hand drive form, US vehicles would have been right-hand-drive to this day. The Ford Motor Company certainly changed history in many ways.
Any colour — as long as it’s black
The main reason for this was a particular kind of black enamel which dried more quickly than other paints, and helped speed up production. However, pressure from Ford dealers eventually led to other colours being offered in 1926. By this time also, new lacquer paints had been developed which dried fast enough to match the line rate of production. The new colours offered were Gunmetal Blue, Highland Green, Phoenix Brown and Fawn Grey.
The Model T reached the end of its long road in 1927. Although many small changes were made along the way, the last ‘Lizzie’ to roll out of the factory really wasn’t that much different than the first one built in 1908. That was one of her problems, the reason that ultimately brought her end. However, it is also the reason why we remember the Model T with such affection 100 years later.
After 19 years of production, on the eve of May 25, 1927, Ford announced to an eager public that it would indeed build a new car, to replace the now well outdated Model T.
Was it a coincidence or was it planned, that the 15 millionth Model T rolled off the Highland Park assembly line the following afternoon, May 26? With Edsel Ford at the car’s controls and his father Henry beside him, the final car led a motorcade of company officials and 15 reporters and cameramen. Quite a big affair for the times!
Two of Ford’s most significant cars were also present at the ceremony. The 1896 Quadricycle that Henry had built at home, plus the very first Model T Ford. For the benefit of motion-picture cameramen, Henry drove both the older cars around the plaza courtyard. That rather simple ceremony celebrated the end of a significant part of US motor car industry.
Preserving Tin Lizzie
Soon after that May 25 announcement, many owners began to take better care of their Tin Lizzies, eager to prolong their lives — the car’s that is! One elderly lady, obviously very wealthy, purchased and stored away seven new Model Ts so she would not be without one for the rest of her life. A man in Toledo bought six, and only wore out the last of them in 1967. True stories or not? We don’t know, but those rumours have circulated among Model T enthusiasts for the past 41 years.
Local restored Flivvers
In the early years, the T Ford adopted the nickname Fabulous Flivver. Errol and Kathryn Smith of Christchurch are great enthusiasts of the Flivver or Tin Lizzie. Among their collection of many veteran, vintage and classic vehicles, they own a total of seven restored Ts from 1911 to 1923, with a further two undergoing restoration, 1912 and 1914 models. They are housed in a new building of 750 square metres on their 2.8-hectare property.
The Smiths are certainly not afraid to use their Ford Ts. Thousands of kilometres have been clocked up over the years, including trips up to Auckland. No, not in a trailer, but driven! Even on local rallies, when the route planners offer a choice Errol will choose the longest route.
High country Ford
The 1913 open four-seater seen here belongs to Dorothy and Lyndsay Ayres of Avondale, Christchurch. In 1954, while tramping in the high country area of North Canterbury up by Lake Taylor and Lake Sumner at the Hurunui River head waters, Lyndsay noticed many abandoned old cars. While sheltering from the hot sun under a large native bush he saw some old car or truck buried in undergrowth, so well that it was actually protected from the elements. In 1958, not knowing what the vehicle actually was or even if it was still there, he returned to the site with a trailer in tow behind his 1947 Ford V8. After a many hours of cutting away years of bush growth, this 1913 Ford T was uncovered.
The following five years saw a massive restoration job undertaken by Lyndsay. In November of 1963 the Ayres entered their first Vintage Car Club rally together with 21 other veteran cars, ending at the then New Brighton Racecourse, now QEII stadium. Lyndsay jumps at any excuse to use or display this 1913 example. Perhaps the highlight for him over these past 45 years was the time he acted as Henry Ford at the 100 Years of Ford celebrations in 2003 at McLeans Island. Lyndsay certainly looked the part, dressed in clothes of the period.
Promotional Ford
The 1924 model featured here is owned by Foodstuffs. This vehicle is not a replica of a Four Square Grocery delivery van. It is in fact a genuine original. Based in Dunedin from new, it served as a Four Square delivery van back in the good old days before supermarkets. Do you remember when you could leave your order or phone it through to the local corner grocery store and it would, in turn, deliver to your door, usually the same day? I do, perhaps that shows my age!
The bodywork was restored by Bob Herron in Mosgiel, then painted by his son, Paul Herron of Gore. Foodstuffs uses this vehicle for promotional purposes throughout New Zealand. At the moment it is on display in the showroom of Avon city Ford in Sockburn, Christchurch. Note the perfect personalised registration plate.
Words and Photos: Trevor Stanley-Joblin
