[Mark07]

On October 1st 1908, Ford released the Model T.

The Model T is likely the most important car in history. It was seen as the first truly affordable automobile of the era, 15,000,000 vehicles were sold during the 19 years it was produced.

During this time, Ford standarised the moving production line, 5-day working week and 40-hour working week.

In many ways, this little car helped to create the world we live in.

[Drivingforfun]

Happy birthday 😊

I've watched a few TV shows with people trying to drive them. If I'm not remembering the wrong car the controls are laid out in a way which would confuse us today, I think the accelerator pedal is on the left and the clutch is done by hand, or something

I also read that "you can have any colour as long as it's black" was a myth as well, although it was true that you didn't get to choose the colour - I think they just used whatever was available in the market at the time/place

[Mark07]

You're right, when they were first released, Model T's were available in colours including; red, blue, green and grey.

From what I understand, there was then a period of time where they were only produced in Black. I guess that's when Henry Ford came out with that famous line.

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by Mark07

You're right, when they were first released, Model T's were available in colours including; red, blue, green and grey.

From what I understand, there was then a period of time where they were only produced in Black. I guess that's when Henry Ford came out with that famous line.

AIUI, over the 19 years it was in production, competition became fierce and the Model T looked increasingly primitive and outdated. The only way Ford could compete was to keep the price low, and to do so he had to cut costs. So the original choice of colours gradually reduced, leaving only black by the end.

[Rolebama]

I once did an MOT on one of these. Because they had rod brakes and had to be brake tested with a decelerometer, it was deemed that our car workshop would not have the expertise. I also did a few original Austin 7s for the same reason. (We used to have a few vintage/veteran enthusiasts in the area, preparing for London/Brighton run.)

[Mark07]

@Rolebama

What was it like to drive?
What was the seating position like?

[Rolebama]

Honestly, I never found an owner who would let anyone else drive their precious babies, and as I needed to sit in passenger seat to check decelerometer, I never had the chance to drive one. It did involve both pedals and various levers is all I noted. Seating was remarkably spartan but very comfortable, although turning round at the end of the cul-de-sac we used for testing gave the feeling you could easily fall out. The whole thing felt very frail.

[Mark07]

From some of the stories you've shared, it may not have been one of the most impressive machines you've experienced, but it'll certainly be one of rarest.

What a great experience!

[NMNeil]

@Drivingforfun According to historians they chose black as black was the fastest drying paint available, so there was no bottleneck waiting for each coat of paint to dry.
But here's something interesting. I've restored a 1949 Ford 8N tractor, and it uses basically the Model T engine.